Source: Environment Canterbury Regional Council
Just 169 of these wild adult birds remained and they could only be found in New Zealand. Kakī are regarded by Māori as a taonga species – a living treasure.
However, invasive weeds and pest willow spreading through the wetland has been threatening the environment.
Farm owners, Diane and Martin Cochrane, and their nephew Simon Bloomberg had always intended on restoring the wetland to its former glory but put it off as it was an expensive undertaking.
With $10,000 of Action Plan funding allocated by the Lower Waitaki South Coastal Water Zone Committee, they were able to begin work earlier this year.
Kakī started visiting the farm five years ago. Photo provided by Jess Cochrane
Getting rid of invasive species
The first stage of the project was preparing the boundry which involved getting rid of all the invasive tree species, such as willows, that spread easily. Then, it was a matter of spraying the sides and refencing to allow for future expansion of the wetland. In Spring, they will start planting native vegetation.
After planting, predator trapping will also be an important stage of the project. Growing native vegetation would attract more birds and insects which will lead to more predators trying to kill those birds.
Martin Cochrane said the biggest challenge would be the maintenance involved in growing the native plants as they could be quite vulnerable for those first three to five years.
“It will be a family project, anything we can do to improve the environment, and to make it a better home for wading birds is worth it,” Martin Cochrane said.
However, improving the biodiversity for birdlife is just one benefit to restoring the wetland.
Improving water quality and biodiversity
Diane’s family, the Elliots, had farmed the property since the 1899 Waikākahi farm ballot and bought the neighbouring Hossack Wetland in the early 2000s.
Martin Cochrane said there had been a lot of wetland loss, particularly in Canterbury, and they were pleased it hadn’t been developed into farmland.
“The fact that this wetland is still here, providing a natural filter for water going into the Waihao River, is definitely worth protecting,” Martin Cochrane said.
Restoring the wetland meant improving habitat for native fauna, slowing water down during a flood and forming part of a biodiversity corridor along the Waihao River.
The family also hoped the project would encourage other landowners to show interest in how they could contribute to improving water quality and biodiversity.
They planned to protect the wetland with a QEII covenant to ensure its survival for future generations. Incorporating public access to the wetland would also be part of the restoration project.
Vital role of wetlands
Acting as a natural ‘filter’ for water, wetlands play an important role in water quality, absorbing nutrients and trapping sediment that would otherwise make its way into our freshwater.
By slowing the water flow from land and releasing it slowly in dry periods, they also play a vital role during periods of high or low rainfall.
While historically many of the country’s natural wetlands have been drained, some have simply been concealed by weeds, unable to realise their environmental potential.
Funding for projects
This project is supported through the Lower Waitaki South Coastal Canterbury Zone Committee’s Action Plan budget allocation for 2024.
Each of the region’s water zone committees has an action plan which outlines how they will work with the community to help improve the environment and meet Canterbury Water Management Strategy objectives.
