Category: News

  • Upcoming: Community planting day

    Upcoming: Community planting day

    Community Planting Day, 6 June 2026 9:30am -12:30pm

    Thomsons Ford Reserve has been adopted by the Wairau Nature Network as a demonstration site for restoration techniques and educational opportunities.

    We are excited about working with you to plant the first 1000 trees!

    Planting from 9:30-12pm, then join us for a BBQ lovingly cooked by the Lions Club Blenheim. For catering please register here

    Where: Thomsons Ford, junction of O’Dwyers and Thomsons Ford roads

    Bring: warm clothes, gumboots or solid boots, a spade if you have one, and a water bottle

    Postponement: 13th June- registered volunteers will receive email notification, otherwise please check Wairau Nature Network facebook page before 8:30am.

    Any questions, please email wendy.sullivan@landcare.org.nz

    This event is part of Junior Landcare, a nationwide initiative by NZ Landcare Trust and supported by the Bupa Foundation, connecting families to nature through fun, hands-on experiences. The Wairau Nature Network is proud to be the Junior Landcare host for 2026!

  • Marlborough Chinese Community family day

    Marlborough Chinese Community family day

    We had a wonderful afternoon with families from the Marlborough Chinese Community, exploring the Grovetown Lagoon and its forests on a sensory treasure hunt, visiting the bird hide, and enjoying a relaxed picnic in the late afternoon sun.

    It’s always rewarding to help the community connect to nature in their place and we look forward to many more events together.

  • Plants for supporting kererū

    Plants for supporting kererū

    The kererū is vital to the survival of Aotearoa’s native forests. It is the only bird capable of swallowing and dispersing large native fruits (greater than 12mm in diameter) whole. Tree species such as tawa and miro rely on kererū to spread their seeds and regenerate new forest. Without kererū, these trees would struggle to reproduce, and forests would gradually change in composition. For this reason, kererū are considered a keystone species of lowland forests.

    Protecting kererū means safeguarding the ecological processes that sustain our native forests. Through restoring habitat and strengthening ecological corridors, the Wairau Nature Network is working to create landscapes that can support kererū not just seasonally, but year-round.

    Kererū feed on the fruit, leaves, buds and shoots of more than 100 native species, as well as
    around 50 introduced plants. At times, they gorge on ripe fruit – occasionally becoming so
    full that they fall from trees.

    By planting a diverse selection of the listed native trees, you can provide year-round food for kererū.

  • What’s in a name…

    What’s in a name…

    What’s in a name? Quite a lot, as it turns out.

    We knew our new “mapping app” didn’t adequately describe the kaupapa or the significance of this new tool. It’s not just about displaying sites on a map – it’s about strengthening restoration across the Wairau catchment and supporting long-term ecological connection. After much brainstorming, we settled on Wairau EcoMap.

    Wanting a name in te reo Māori that carried the depth, care and intent behind the work, we approached Te Matahiapo Safari Hynds, of Rangitāne o Wairau. He loved the mahi we were undertaking and generously offered to gift a name. After spending time with our mapping tool and website, he proposed two complementary names:

    Tāmata — meaning to revitalise — is the Wairau Information Hub. It provides a shared platform for knowledge, practical guidance, tools, and restoration stories to support informed action- wairaunaturenetwork.org.nz

    Haumi — meaning to work together in collaboration — is the Wairau EcoMap: an interactive mapping platform designed to visualise restoration activity, identify opportunities for ecological corridors, and support coordination across properties and projects – wairaunaturenetwork.maphq.co.nz

    Together, Wairau Information Hub | Tāmata and Wairau EcoMap | Haumi reflect both purpose and practice – integrating information and collaboration to strengthen ecological and social connectivity across the Wairau catchment. Ka pai Te Matahiapo!

  • Profiling our working group: Helen Braithwaite

    Profiling our working group: Helen Braithwaite

    The Wairau Nature Network working group is powered by people who have an immense wealth of experience. Next in our profile series is Helen Braithwaite, a true stalwart of nature whose behind-the-scenes efforts keep things moving without fuss.

    What inspired you to become involved in the Wairau Nature Network?

    I am involved with Forest & Bird and a few other local environmental projects and it seemed like a good idea to connect the people and projects via a green corridor.

    What’s the biggest environmental challenge you think the Wairau catchment faces right now?

    Apart from climate change and water issues that are universal challenges, the Wairau has a lack of the original lowland native vegetation along the awa – both as seed sources and tree cover.

    Can you share a project or achievement from the network that you are most proud of?

    WNN now has a website and a map that can hold information and help individuals and groups to restore native vegetation and species.

    How do you see the role of community partnerships in restoring and protecting local ecosystems?

    Partnerships are vital to achieve widespread restoration, as no one person or organisation can achieve this on their own. By developing partnerships, progress can be maintained, not being dependent on just a few individuals or one funding source.

    What is your personal connection to the Wairau area – what makes it so special to you?

    My partner and I chose to move to Marlborough as we love the area. The Wairau catchment has huge potential to reintroduce native biodiversity by working with people and organisations in the area.

  • From ditches to wetlands: Restoring and reconnecting waterways

    From ditches to wetlands: Restoring and reconnecting waterways

    What a fantastic Connecting Waterways workshop we had!

    It had it all – the technical, the informative, and the aspirational. But the real highlight was hearing connections being made across our network. Those conversations and shared ideas are where the magic happens.

    Fun fact: the freshwater fish smelt really does smell like cucumber – and it’s not your imagination! They contain the same chemical compound found in cucumbers.

    This webinar explores how even the most modified waterways can be brought back to life. Presented by Nathan Burkepile of NZ Landcare Trust, the session shares practical insights, real-world examples, and hopeful pathways for restoring ecological function, biodiversity, and resilience across lowland landscapes. Whether you’re working with streams, drains, or something in between, this webinar highlights why every waterway matters and what we can do to make a difference.

  • Working with your neighbours to enhance habitat connectivity

    Working with your neighbours to enhance habitat connectivity

    Wairau Nature Network (WNN) helps weave together people, wildlife, and native ecosystems across the Wairau Catchment to enhance the health and connectivity of our natural habitats. One of the easiest ways to make a real difference is working with your neighbours to connect patches of habitat, creating corridors for kererū, tūī, wētā, and other native species.

    Why neighbourhood restoration matters

    • Support native wildlife: Corridors allow species such as kererū, tūī, and bellbirds to move between forest fragments. Many species provide an important ecosystem function, such as seed dispersal, so having a full suite of species is critical to overall
      habitat health
    • Stronger ecosystem resilience: Connected and healthy habitats help streams, wetlands, and paddocks withstand drought, floods, and pests, and in turn, the populations within them during catastrophic events.
    • Shared effort, shared rewards: Coordinating planting, fencing, or pest control multiplies results.
    • Community connection: Working together builds relationships across the catchment.

    How to start engaging with your neighbours

    1. Friendly conversation first
      • Invite your neighbour for a chat, coffee, or a short walk around your property.
      • Ask what they care about – native birds, healthy streams, or sustainable land use.
      • Keep it simple – talk about trees, streams, birds, and wētā rather than technical catchment jargon…or politics!
    1. Find common ground
      • Maybe you both want more kererū food trees, or fewer pests in your gardens.
      • Shared goals will guide what actions you take together.
    1. Host informal gatherings
      • Once you think you have buy-in from one or two neighbours, go wider with a social event, working bee and/or picnic by a wetland, or a short walk to look at potential corridors.
      • Keep it social – enthusiasm spreads faster than rules and forms!

    Practical actions for connectivity

    1. Map your opportunities
      • Sketch where native vegetation already exists.
      • Identify gaps where corridors could link existing bush, riparian margins, or wetlands.
      • WNN’s mapping tool can help visualise high-priority sites.
    2. Collaboration ideas
      • Plant together: native shrubs and trees along boundaries or stream edges.
      • Pest management: coordinate traps and bait lines across neighbouring properties.
      • Share resources: seedlings, tools, advice, or volunteer time.
      • Monitoring: track birds, lizards, or wētā to see improvements.

    Keeping momentum simple

    • Make a shared plan (can be just a few bullet points): what, when, who, and what resources are needed.
    • Celebrate wins: first planting, first kererū sighting, first pest-free patch.
    • Be flexible: small, achievable steps build trust and long-term participation.

    Can you (or do you want to) grow bigger?

    • Your informal group may get to a point of wanting to expand efforts and/or area.
    • Often, funding is limited to formalised groups that have a legal entity, so this may be
      an option you want or need to take.
    • There may already be an existing group you could partner with to fill this
      responsibility.
    • Talk to the Wairau Nature Network about what support they can offer in this space.
    • NZ Landcare Trust has plenty of resources available for starting a catchment (or environmental) group.

    Tips for Success

    • Respect different levels of interest – sometimes it’s just not the right time for people; keep the ‘gate’ open for when they do choose to join in.
    • Listen deeply – understand what matters to your neighbours.
    • Leverage local knowledge – people know which areas are best for planting, fencing, or pest control.
    • Seek expert help – Wairau Nature Network, NZ Landcare Trust and Council love to support restoration efforts!
    • Keep it practical – even small plantings along a fence line can create important wildlife corridors.
    • Respect privacy – only share information with each other’s permission.

    Resources

    NZ Landcare Trust catchment resources – https://landcare.org.nz/resource/catchment-group-starter-guide/

    Wairau Nature Network – contains a resource library of best practice guidance, funding prospects and connection opportunities: https://wairaunaturenetwork.org.nz/

    Wairau Nature Network mapping tool – https://wairaunaturenetwork.maphq.co.nz/

    Download this guide

    Working with neighboursDownload

  • Planting green firebreaks to reduce wildfire

    Planting green firebreaks to reduce wildfire

    Fire season reminds us why smart planning in restoration matters.

    Green firebreaks are an amazing tool. While reducing wildfire risk, protecting forest remnants and infrastructure, they also enhance biodiversity and restoration timeframes.

    Watch this short extract (10 mins) from our recent FireSmart webinar on planting green firebreaks.

  • Profiling our working group: Kristen Dempster

    Profiling our working group: Kristen Dempster

    The Wairau Nature Network working group is strengthened by people like Kristen Dempster, whose process-driven approach and sharp eye for detail help turn ideas into practical action.

    What inspired you to become involved in the Wairau Nature Network?

    There are a lot of exciting restoration projects happening in the Wairau Catchment, and it’s great to have a network for connecting people, sharing enthusiasm, knowledge, and resources within the community.

    What’s the biggest environmental challenge you think the Wairau Catchment faces right now?

    In terms of habitat restoration, there’s fragmentation between pockets of indigenous vegetation and restoration projects. The Network’s interactive mapping tool illustrates this. The Network provides support for increasing ecological stepping stones between these established and establishing sites.

    Can you share a project or achievement from the network that you are most proud of?

    The Network has achieved a lot since its inception, including regular workshops and the mapping tool. The website is a great resource for anyone interested in restoration planting. Strengthening existing community networks and creating opportunities for more people to get involved is the best achievement.

    How do you see the role of community partnerships in restoring and protecting local ecosystems?

    Community partnerships are key to restoring local habitats. There are lots of community-led restoration projects. The Network provides a hub in the Wairau Catchment to support anyone who wants to be involved.

    What is your personal connection to the Wairua area – what makes it so special to you?

    The hills. The landscapes of the Wither Hills and Richmond Ranges are beautiful and are great for recreation.

  • Mapping the future of restoration in the Wairau

    Mapping the future of restoration in the Wairau

    Yesterday marked a milestone for the Wairau Nature Network with the public launch of our new mapping app:

    https://wairaunaturenetwork.maphq.co.nz

    This tool is designed to help us understand what native vegetation remains in the Wairau, where the gaps are, and how we can reconnect ecosystems through targeted restoration. By exploring the map layers, you can see what should or could be growing in different areas, identify opportunities for ecological corridors, and access guidance on suitable species to plant. It also highlights the incredible restoration already underway across both public and private land.

    The app is still in its early stages – many restoration efforts are yet to be added, and there’s plenty more mapping (and planting!) to come. But now that it’s live, we hope more landowners will be keen to showcase their work.

    A huge thank you to MapHQ for their outstanding support and expertise, we can’t recommend them highly enough.