From gorse land to wetland

OUR LAND: Ari and Judd Bailey at the wetland planting day yesterday. Photo/Lewis Gardner

A project to restore a wetland is just the start of plans to transform a gorse-choked piece of Maori land.

Yesterday, about 20 people turned out to help siblings Ari and Judd Bailey plant natives on the wetland on their 26ha family-owned land at Marybank, bordering SH3.

Ms Bailey told the Wanganui Chronicle she and her brother had a strong connection to the land, as it been in their families for many generations, and they had grown up there.

"We took the land back about 18 months ago. It had been trashed by lease holders - as you can see, there's gorse everywhere."

The natural wetland had been drained, but the Baileys have been working meticulously to bring artesian water up to make ponds in a low-lying area.

"This was an historic eel ground, and the eels are already coming back here," Ms Bailey said.

Whanganui River Enhancement Trust had provided funding, and Horizons Regional Council had provided plants for the planting. Sedges, grasses, rushes, harakeke and flax were all planted out around the ponds yesterday.

Ms Bailey said she hoped the planting day would become a regular event.

It's just the start of a long-term restoration of the land.

Ms Bailey said plans included clearing the gorse and planting native bush, with an emphasis on Maori medicinal plants.

"We'd also like to build a papakainga [Maori traditional settlement] here, maybe using mud and earth for the whare."

She said the restoration was not just for her family.

"We want to share this with the community, so that everyone can enjoy it."

If you are interested in finding out more about the project, contact Ari Bailey at arimbailey@gmail.com