Project Description:

OUR VISION

“Kia whakapakari te mauri o to tātou Awa.”

Waikato RiverCare Inc.’s vision is to make a positive difference to the wellbeing of our Awa by implementing a programme to establish self-sustaining native plant communities in and around the lower Waikato River catchments.

We’ve been working in the area since 1999. We have planted 240,000 trees and plants along the Waikato River and its tributaries. All together our planting projects amount to 27 kilometres of riparian restoration! 

We’re proud of our accomplishments, but there is so much more to do to improve the health of the river. We’re up for the challenge, but we need your support.   

TE ONETEA STREAM

Te Onetea Stream is part of the Waikato River Catchment. The stream connects the Waikato River to Lake Waikare. 

Lake Waikare is the largest lake in the lower Waikato River area. Rural communities and iwi groups in the area are concerned about the lake’s health and a steady decline in water quality. 

The lake once had abundant fish and waterfowl populations to harvest. It provided recreational opportunities for the surrounding community.

Te Onetea Stream feeds into the lake. This project will help return Lake Waikare to its former state.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

With your support we will weed and plant 200 metres of Te Onetea stream! The site isn’t very long, but it’s 58 metres deep and has a total area of 4,227 square metres! That’s enough room for 2,143 native plants and trees.  

This project gives us a great opportunity to showcase our work. It is located just downstream of one of the Waikato’s busiest boat ramps and car parks. It is an extremely popular site with fisherman who like to fish from the bank and use the ramp to take their boats out on the lake. The project site is also visible from State Highway 1. 

We will remove pest plants and we will plant 9 different types of native plants and trees that are well suited to the ecological niches that occur along the stream. 

We will plant lots of berry producing trees like karamu, mahoe and makomako. When these native trees get established they will encourage birdlife back into the area. The birds will help to spread seeds to waterways and lakes nearby.

We will invite school, community and corporate groups to participate in the planting day. 

THE WaikAto river Catchment 

Te Onetea Stream is part of the Waikato River Catchment. The Waikato River is the largest river in New Zealand. It starts on the slopes of Ruapehu in the central North Island, joins the Tongariro River and enters Lake Taupo. From there it heads north, flows through the Waikato Plains and enters the Tasman Sea at Port Waikato. 

The river is significant for Tainui iwi who consider it to be one of their tapuna (ancestors). It is significant for the people that swim, fish and boat on the river. It provides drinking and irrigation water, and helps to power homes and businesses. 

Our project on Te Onetea Stream is part of the Waikato catchment. It will help contribute to the health of the Waikato. 

DONATE TODAY!

We’d love your support of our project to improve the health of Te Onetea Stream, Lake Waikare and the Waikato River. 

A metre of restoration costs $125, but you can make a donation of ANY amount: $1, $10 or $10,000!  

The funds received will go towards plants, materials, planting and ongoing maintenance of the site. 

Every bit we raise helps transform New Zealand’s waterways. 

Every donation will leave a lasting positive legacy on the landscape. 

Donate today. 

PROJECT PARTNERS

This project wouldn’t be possible without generous supporters.  

The Department of Conservation will provide weed control at the site prior to planting. Weed control began in March and will continue up until planting in August and September of 2018. 

After planting is complete, the project will receive regular maintenance checks and weed control until 2021. At this point, Waikato RiverCare will create an agreement with the Department of Conservation to provide ongoing maintenance of the project site.

Len Reynolds Trust will contribute to the cost of plants and other costs associated with the public planting day.