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Chinese Delegation Visit

A delegation of Chinese Local Government officials visited Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park in November 2011. The six-strong group included five representatives of the People’s Government of Nansha District, from the south-east China province of Guangdong.

The Group were in New Zealand as part of a local government fact finding mission.  Visiting the park was an aside to fulfil their interest in conservation and to discover out how ecological restoration is being undertaken in New Zealand.

Paul Duffy, Council’s Natural Areas Contracts Supervisor, said the delegation visited the park for about 90 minutes, during which staff explained the work that has gone into the project to date and answered any questions the group had. More>

City Green Article

Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park has been recognised as an example of successful ecological restoration in a recent issue of Singapore publication City Green. City Green is produced four times a year by the Singapore National Parks Board and provides insight into various facets of conservation with examples from around the world.

The article which features Waiwhakareke is entitled 'Ecological Restoration in New Zealand - Parks for Biodiversity'discusses various restoration projects in New Zealand urban environments including the Karori Sanctuary in Wellington and Riccarton Bush in Christchurch.

Read the City Green article here.

For more information about the City Green publication including how to subscribe visit the website www.citygreen.sg

Arbor Day - Big Dig In

Digging in 30,000 trees is this year’s Arbor Day challenge at Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park, New Zealand’s largest inland restoration project.

Event organiser Gerard Kelly says planting 30,000 native trees across 3 hectares within 3 hours on the 3rd of June sounds like a tall order.

“Actually, with 3000 volunteers having a great day out we can do that – easily!

“We’re encouraging over 30 business teams to get together and make their mark on an awesome community project. Schools will be involved, in fact anyone can join in on the day and contribute to making Waiwhakareke an amazing wonder in the Waikato.”More>

'Pukeko Stomp' hits Waiwhakareke

A troupe of over 550 Scouts hit Waiwhakareke this Summer, stomping down weeds and helping the Natural Heritage Park to avoid many of the plant losses it normally faces at the height of Summer's heat.

The Scouts, who were attending Mystery Creek's National Scout Jamboree over Christmas and New Year, volunteered their time at Waiwhakarkeke as part of their community service project.

Over 6 days through the height of the summer heat they persisted with helping to keep down weeds around the 35,000 plus plants planted last year by community groups.

What affectionately became known as the 'pukeko stomp' was a very effective way of dealing to invasive weeds that could have potentially over grown the new plantings. Due to their contribution losses have been minimal, so a big thank you to all those involved. Get involved >

WEL grant means more public paths for Waiwhakareke

Next year Hamiltonians will have even greater access to Waiwhakareke - the city’s award-winning natural heritage park. WEL Energy Trust has granted the project $25,000 to extend the park’s network of public paths in 2011. Hamilton City Council reserves planner Andrew Corkill says, “A real challenge is in the works for Arbour Day 2011. A challenge all businesses and the community can be proud of. These walkways open up ground zero – the place where it’s all going to happen! We are very pleased with the announcement.” More>

Super volunteer honoured

Over 60 volunteers turned out for a day of weed whacking at Waiwhakareke on 5 December to celebrate International Volunteers Day. Stepping into the spolight on the day was 'super volunteer' Craig Tehuia who recieved an award for his outstanding committment to the project. Returning from nightshift to volunteer, Craig has contributed over 73 hours as a volunteer through Fonterra's Catchment Care programme. More>

Digging in

Waiwhakareke Natural Heritage Park is one of the big success stories to come out of Hamilton’s eight city strategies. It is a flagship project in the Environmental Sustainability Strategy, and a shining example of what is being done to make Hamilton a better place to live. City News spoke to one of the men behind this hidden jewel. More>