Hawke's Bay couple receive regional council environmental award for Puketapu wetland restoration

Diane and Roger Alexander (third and fourth from left) with their family and Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman Rex Graham (centre). Photo / Supplied

A Hawke's Bay couple have received an award for their restoration of a wetland at Puketapu.

Roger and Diane Alexander were presented with an environmental award by Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman Rex Graham last Wednesday.

Their work over 30 years has transformed a 12ha area of dried-out swamp into a lake which is now prized by the family and community.

Hawke's Bay regional councillors decided their wetland restoration work was deserving of an environmental award.

The presentation of the award, which features an art print of a lancewood tree by Hawke's Bay artist Terri Reddish, was held at a council meeting with members of the couple's family in attendance.

Roger Alexander said they first started working on a small wetland at their home farm before buying a neighbouring property in 1978 which housed the dried-up swamp and had plans to improve it.

"The drought of 1982-83 provided us with the right opportunity to start work on creating a wetland park.

"The lake and the trees would filter out undesirable material before it got into the Tutaekuri close by."

The project started with the removal of 100,000cu m of mud and the planting of many trees.

"As time has gone by, it has become an attraction for visitors from overseas and locally.

"Locals love the lake and the Puketapu School students use it for nature lessons and canoe polo."

The lake and established park surroundings are situated along the main road into Puketapu and are also popular with cyclists on the Hawke's Bay trail.

The area is now used by the Taradale Rotary Club for its country fair and auction each year.

Graham said the lake and park surroundings, which have been a family enterprise, would be an ensuring asset for the region.

Māori Committee chairman Mike Mohi said the lake was well-recognised for its contribution to the restoration of the environment.