NZ Dairy Winter 2021

| 13 nz dairy River care growth project for people, environment DAIRY PEOPLE » Puniu River Care Russell Fredric A marae-based holistic river care group in Wai- kato is providing meaningful employment for marae and hapu members through improving land care, water quality and biodiversity within the Puniu River catchment. In 2015 a hapu led initiative resulted in the es- tablishment of registered charity, Puniu River Care (PRC) to facilitate the improvement of water quality and replenish the taonga kai in the Puniu River. It flows from Pureora Forest and passes within proximity of four marae – Rawhitiroa, Aotearoa, Whakamarama and Mangatoatoa – through to Pirongia where it joins the Waipa River. Puniu River river is a 57-kilometre-long tributary of the Waikato River and is one of the longest secondary tributaries in New Zealand. It was once a rich source of freshwater kai and provided many picnic and swimming spots until its gravel bed became muddy and silted. Consequently, the river has suffered degradation of water quality, depletion of eel stocks in some ar- eas, erosion of its banks and has become a source of sediment discharges into the Waipa river. PRC cultural adviser and well-being coordinator, Quniton Tunoho, says the organisation has the goal of providing opportunities for whanau at a marae and hapu hands-on level. PRC is achieving this by growing a thriving com- munity through riparian and wetland planting to improve water quality and using this initiative as a means of growing people’s health and well-being. In 2018 PRC initiated a significant project which aimed to improve water quality as well as helping to restore tuna (eel) habitat and terrestrial biodiversity. “Initially our focus was the Puniu River and then following on from that the rapid growth that came upon us had us branching out a lot earlier than we anticipated,” Quinton says. Activities for the project include fencing 32kms Puniu River Care (PRC) team members and whanau at Mangatoatoa Marae. Photo Talitha Wanden PRC team (top) takes a break from clearing and tree planting. Manaaki Tuna ponds – the project is helping restore tuna (eel) habitats and biodiversity – Talitha Wanden Chris option 6 , but on condition it promote s our Full Riparian arm ( Prespray/supply / plant from our own Cambridge based nursery ,,,, ( our mix provides bee feed 10 months of year and also qualify for CARBON Credits ,......... ALSO promote ,,,24 Yrs Weedspraying , handgun / spot spraying Targeted Method only uses 10% chemical versus blanket spraying , thus protecting our waterways and environment , our business keeps 15 to 20 sta in work year round in a sustainable way , with a range of many clients ,central north island wide including many iwi ,, will send few pics ,, ps see website EXPERT RIPARIAN PLANTING & WEED SPRAYING SERVICES IN WAIKATO Whether you want to get rid of weeds or restore a streamside, Cambrilea can help. We provide contract weed spraying services for farms, public land or conservation areas in the Waikato and surrounding regions such as Auckland. On top of that, you can also call on us for your stream restoration project, as we provide full riparian planting services. 07 827 6868 or 021 833 221 charlie@cambrilea.co.nz www.cambrileaweedspraying.co.nz 24 Years Weedspraying Experience Our mix provides bee feed 10 months of the year and qualifies for Carbon Credits Prespray/Supply & Plant all from our own Cambridge-based nursery Handgun/Spot Spraying targeted method uses 10% chemicals vs. Blanket Spraying to exclude stock from entering rivers at a 5m set back, erosion protection works via planting 160,000 native trees and the creation of a marae-based restoration guide to enable growth in the devel- opment of other new organisations undertaking similar activities. The project will bring together elements from existing Waikato Regional Council systems in partnership with PRC to pilot a new implementation model for environmental enhancement work. A nursery it established has the capacity to annu- ally grow 1.2 million trees. PRC now employs 40 plus staff and has multiple sources of Government and non-Government fund- ing. Puniu River flows near Waikeria Prison and PRC has been able to engage with low risk prisoners in the propagation of plants behind the wire which are then used for riparian and mitigation planting which has created a sense of inclusiveness and self- purpose for them. “At first it was just to help get plant numbers up, but as the years have gone on we’ve created meaningful work for them.” PRC has aligned with the Ministry for Social De- velopment to implement a pre-employment training service designed to up-skill 10 participants to the minimum entry level that industry and employers require. “At the end of the day we are trying to get as many trees in the gr u as we can, but at the same time we are trying to grow as a people and bring confidence back into the individual. “The tree in the ground is more the outcome of the journey that the person is taking.” While scientific assessment of the r ver is y t to be undertaken, there have been anecdotal reports that the water quality is improving. “The clarity of the water is high, and we’ve seen the return of some of our freshwater crayfish; we hadn’t seen them for years.” PRC members take a break from planting.