Newspaper Article 2009 – Wetlands to become an educational delight

Wetlands to become an educational delight

Construction of a $500,000 visitor centre and walkways at the Pekapeka Wetland south of Hastings will begin within days.

The revitalised wetland is expected to become a popular attraction and stopping point for travellers on State Highway 2. says Hawke’s Bay Regional Councillor Kevin Rose.

Work will begin before the end of the week on an entrance off the highway to provide access to an educational site.

The outdoor education site will include display panels on the value of wetlands, wetland ecology, the cultural significance to Maori, and history of the area including settlement, road, rail and agriculture.

The project received grants from the Lottery Board and the Hawke’s Bay Community Foundation.

During the past 10 years, the council has cleared willows, improved the flow of water through the wetland, and controlled animal and plant pests.

The council encourages schools and community groups to get involved with planting to enhance the wetland and help realise the educational value of Pekapeka, with a nursery raising plants especially for these planting days.

Kevin thanked the Maori community at Pakipaki for their involvement.

“Maori have been unhappy about the condition of what was once a healthy wetland and major food source, with great cultural significance all through the East Coast, and are keen to help with its restoration.”

The council’s operations environmental manager Stephen Cave says the project will take about two years to complete.

“We need to take a bit more time to complete this as we have to work around bird breeding season, so we minimise disruption to wildlife, and other seasonal aspects such as fluctuating water levels,” he says.

Stephen estimates that about 16,000 plants will be planted around the education site once it is completed, plus 300 metres of boardwalk and two bridges installed.

Wetlands were mostly drained from the New Zealand landscape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the push to convert unproductive land into pasture and other intensive land uses.

The remaining wetlands are often small and compromised, Stephen says.

Wetlands have a huge value in the environment, by taking up nutrients and pollutants from the water, slowing floodwater which reduces the impact downstream, and encouraging natural biodiversity by providing habitat for birds, fish, eels and insects.

Photo captions –

Bird spotting: A dabchick at Pekapeka Wetland.

Natural environment: Birdlife at Pekapeka.

Outdoor work: Community planting at Pekapeka.