BASE INFORMATION

Located on the Sweetwater Farms located near Kaitaia/Ahipara in the rohe of merging boundaries for both Te Rarawa and NgaiTakoto Iwi. Our project was launched in August 2016 by the Hnr Flavell as part of the Te Mana o Te Wai Project at these lakes.

GENERAL OVERVIEW

8.7ha and 2m deep.
 The catchment is pasture and there are no in-outflow streams.
 Some fencing and planting-work is required to provide a buffer for these lakes.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE

Track with history, environ, connect to other tracks in the area- recreation
 Identify historic sites; was the old track from the north to the beach for kai

ECOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Good bittern population, need to maintain their habitat. Nest close to water, boom in Spring
 Dabchick endemic; nest on water in shallow on top of water
 Reinstate small wetland, part of Split

STATUS

NRC ranking; low

PLANT SPECIES

Divide into zones; trial plots of different species to be re-introduced
 Harakeke, manuaka, kanuka, ti kouka, carex/sedges (varigata) – low fertility plants, not karo
 Carex sand binding, wiped out by stock
 Look to collect coprosma, mingimingi, puhuehue (edible, attract insects) houpara, pseudopanax, spleen wort, toetoe

PESTS

Birds: peacocks, turkey, possum, cats, rats

HEALTH & SAFETY

Adhere to existing land block plans eg: Sweetwater with additional project related clauses, specific hazards;

Equipment and machinery (fencing / planting)

Vehicles, bikes tipping

Stock ground holes, shifting sand unpredictable

Guns (duck shooters)

wasps, allergies

chemical sprays

MONITORING

Photographs from same point thoughout, baseline, track change over time
Underwater 3-4km (Kevin snorkel)
 Weed species
 Fish, tuna
 Birds; bittern (nest close to water, boom in Spring), dabchick endemic (nest on water in shallow on top of water)
 Invertebrates
 Frogs
 Water quality

RISKS & ISSUES 

Weeds being moved around between sites

Hornwort in Split, risk of transfer to other – there is a specific chemical to kill oxygen weed and hornwort (endothol/aquathol)

PRIORITY

Small detached Split lake as nutrients from it are feeding into rest of network, liver fluke

OTHER WORK / OPPORTUNITIES 

Spray pampas when helicopter working
Lake Heather (Waiotehuahua) needs maintenance to secure (electric)

PROJECT PRIORITY ACTION

Approach: increase the depth of riparian strips, fencing maintenance, planting, weed control
1. Develop weed control plan
2. Identify areas for fencing maintenance and the possibility of increasing buffer depth (recycle materials where possible)
3. Prepare for planting
4. Plant 1600 in 2017; manuka, kanuka, harakeke, tï kouka, carex