Tidal flows resume into traditional Maori fishing area

Aerial picture of Papahikahawai creek and the reconnected upper Maketu Estuary. The tide now flows under the new bridge which replaced a causeway. Photo/supplied

A landmark ecological achievement was celebrated yesterday to mark the introduction of tidal flows into Maketu Estuary for the first time in 54 years.

The estuary (Te Awa o Ngatoroirangi) has been reconnected with Papahikahawai Lagoon by the removal of two causeways across the creek that blocked the passage of water.

A new bridge to maintain access between Papahikahawai Island and Maketu Spit was also blessed and officially opened by iwi, community members and regional council staff and councillors.

Councillor Arapeta Tahana acknowledged the contribution of Papahikahawai No 1 and 2 Trust landowners who agreed to retire Papahikahawai Island from grazing to allow it to be restored as a safe-haven and breeding ground for native birds. Its shoreline was also being re-contoured to help with fish breeding.

"The wider kaupapa of revitalising the estuary and the wetlands of this area has been a dream for Te Arawa and this community for 40 to 50 years - ever since the original Kaituna River diversion went in," he said.

Waitaha kaumatua and Te Maru o Kaituna River Authority member Maru Tapsell said the estuary used to be a breeding ground for fish.

"But that doesn't happen anymore. By opening this [channel] up again, we're opening the pathway for those fish to come back to this breeding ground. It can become the food bowl for Te Arawa once again."

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Kaituna catchments manager Pim de Monchy said since their installation in 1963, the causeways had been blocking tidal flows from getting into Papahikahawai Lagoon and made it unhealthy.

"Fifty-four years of algae build-up will now gradually flush out of the lagoon and we expect fish such as mullet, inanga, kahawai and flounder to return to this part of the estuary in the coming days, weeks and months," he said.

Members of the public wanting to help with the restoration are invited to join working bees to plant nearly 8000 native plants on the island. The working bees will be held at 10am tomorrow and the following Sunday.

Volunteers should bring sturdy shoes or boots, a spade or trowel, lunch, a drink and dress for cool conditions. The meeting place is the island, accessed from Ford Rd.

The Papahikahawai restoration project is a preparatory step towards a major works led by the regional council to redivert 20 per cent of the river's freshwater flow back into the estuary and create 20ha of new wetlands.

The estuary has been degraded since the main flow of the Kaituna River was diverted away from it in 1956. River re-diversion works that are designed to restore the health and mauri of the estuary are scheduled to start this spring.