Lower Mangapiko Stream Care Group crowdfunding Million Metres Stream

Lower Mangapiko Stream Care group member Bill Reymer has retired the majority of the steep riparian margins on his farm and there is a good mixture of mature mānuka, tōtara, native ferns and rimu.

Four local families are on a mission to restore 2km of riverbank along the Mangapiko Stream.

The Lower Mangapiko Stream Care Group is raising money via a crowd-funded project with Million Metres Stream.

The project will help tackle erosion and flooding issues while reducing sediment in an effort to also restore the biodiversity along the stream.

Supported by NZ Landcare Trust and Waikato Regional Council, the group of dedicated landowners have been working since 2006 to fence, control weedy willows and replace these with sterile willows and native plants.

The group is focusing on the 43km stretch between Te Awamutu and Pirongia — both sides of the steam — with roughly 30km fenced and planted so far.

The group is more than halfway there and is asking for help in the form of donations.
Bill Reymer (pictured) and his family own 820m of stream bank.

Bill has retired the majority of the steep riparian margins on his farm and there is a good mixture of mature mānuka, tōtara, native ferns and rimu.

Funds raised will help plant a wetland area alongside the stream and understory planting beneath the mature trees to help prevent weed establishment and filter sediment on the steep slope.

The native plants used will include carex grasses, harakeke (flax), cabbage trees, ribbonwood, and kahikatea in the wetter areas along the water.

Further up the bank will be toetoe, mānuka, coprosma, tōtara, kānuka, kawakawa and kōwhai.

The group is raising money to prepare the site, plant at the site and carry out two post-care visits to maintain the planting.

The budget also includes the cost of 5500 native plants and trees.

Funds raised will be used on materials to control erosion as well as Million Metre's 15 per cent administration fee.

■ Support the group at tinyurl.com/yba4ne2y