Within a wetland area located on the Taranaki coastline of New Zealand, the Waikirikiri Lagoon and dune restoration project was started following consultation with the local community and “iwi” – the local Maori tribes. It was seen by AWE as an opportunity to invest in the local community.
As an important feeding and nesting ground for a large number of indigenous bird species, the coastal habitat created by the lagoon and adjacent beach was recognized as being rare at a national level.
Working in partnership with the Taranaki Regional Council, as well as Prosafe Productions, one of the first priorities of the project was to fence off the lagoon and beach from neighbouring farmland, as unrestricted stock access was threatening the habitat.
An extensive planting program then commenced which will ultimately see nearly 25,000 native plants planted during the four-year project. Finally, pest eradication and weed control will ensure the coastal area returns to a natural and abundant environment for native bird life to thrive.
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