Community group plants natives at Te Kōawa

The first 800 natives of a large replanting programme have been planted on the roadside strip at Trust’s property Te Kōawa Tūroa o Takitimu, located in the Jericho Valley just north of Blackmount Hill.

Planting the native trees, including kōhūhū, mingimingi, mānuka, koromiko, mountain fivefinger and wineberry, were about 30 volunteers from nearby Te Anau and Manapōuri.

The Trust’s Manager Dave Crouchley organised the planting area near the entrance to the Trust’s site, and offered the the job to local community groups looking to fundraise. The Fiordland Trails Trust stepped forward and the 30 plus volunteers had the job done in a bit more than 2 and a half hours. It was a great day out for everyone, and win-win for both Trusts.

Restoring the native flora both at the Trust’s site Te Kōawa and in the wider Waiau catchment is one of the key aims of the Trust. Native bush provides food and habitat for native birds and other indigenous fauna in the area and is also a valuable resource for mahinga kai and rongoā. While much of the Te Kōawa block has undergone amazing regeneration in the last few years, some areas need to be planted up to provide a seed source, and also to penetrate thick grass in some areas.

The Trust has plans to plant up much of the roadside strip, as well as riparian planting along Jericho Stream, a kahikatea forest on the valley floor, and specific plantings for mahinga kai and rongoā.