1 August 2016.
In June, the Trust purchased 150 native plants from Te Kakano Nursery, comprising kanuka, manuka, ti kouka (cordyline/cabbage tree), and some kowhai. In preparation for planting, hundreds of invasive briars, gorse, broom, and blackberry vines have been grubbed out by hand on the planned commons area beside the swimming-hole, and along the riverside upstream from the Red Bridge. The initial planting will be in locations that will not be affected by the future felling of large wilding conifers which are presently shading out dead or dying kanuka. Access is not yet opened up from the bridge. Some people leave rubbish, human waste, and even dead animals in this area, so access will be improved gradually and carefully. More significant work, including felling some large wilding conifers, will not be done until our Public Servants have given their approval. The clearance of the smaller invasives, and a general tidy-up of the area, is on-going.
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| Commons area before and after |
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| Preparation of riverside planting site 1 |
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| Preparation of riverside planting site 2 |
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| Preparation of riverside planting site 3 |
