Pauatahauni Vegetation Framework

This page is temporarily hosted by Groundtruth as part of their interim assistance with project implementation.

What is this project about?

This project has worked with landowners to develop a catchment level vision of planting and vegetation management for the Pauatahanui Basin. Setting out a “vegetation framework” that provides wide catchment and community benefits, such as improved water quality and soil protection, as well as direct benefits to individual landowners on their land.

It has been undertaken to provide a voluntary, non regulatory, initiative for landowners. Supporting actions that will maintain and improve catchment vegetation.

The development of the vegetation framework is being followed by work to support implementation. Assisting landowners who want to start work on some of the action areas identified, as well as supporting those already undertaking excellent initiatives.

This web page provides information on:

The introductory pamphlet provides an overview of the project. Download pamphlet (500k)

Why look at vegetation in the catchment?

 Because woody vegetation in key areas of the catchment is important to water quality. Vegetation can:

  • protect soils that are vulnerable to erosion
  • shelter and bind the soil
  • stabilise bank erosion and filter sediment
  • keep water cool and reduce algal growth
  • regulate flood events and control stream channel erosion

Most importantly, vegetation can be modified relatively quickly by landowners’ management choices.

And because wise planting and management of woody vegetation can provide direct benefits to individual landowners through providing:

  • enhanced productivity and value of your property
  • improved living environment – local landscape
  • security from storm events
  • improved stream water quality

Who are the project team?

We are a group of independent consultants with backgrounds in integrated land use planning, forestry and ecology.  We have obtained funding to undertake this project work primarily from the Ministry for the Environments Sustainable Management Fund, but we also have support from Greater Wellington Regional Council, Porirua City Council and Kapiti Coast District Council.  This project is being run concurrently in the Pauatahanui Basin and the headwaters of the Waikanae River.

Project Steps So Far

  1. Review of existing information on the catchments including current vegetation and soil and water values and management issues.
  2. Early contact with a sample of major landowners in the catchment to obtain their views on soil and water issues and vegetation in the catchment and begin identifying opportunities for enhancing vegetation management and planting that are likely to benefit landowners.
  3. Wider contact across all landowners in the catchment to obtain their views on soil and water issues and vegetation in the catchment.  This will included a mail out of information to landowners seeking their response and holding drop in meetings.
  4. Drafting a vegetation framework for the catchment:  Based on the issues and opportunities put forward by landowners, a draft framework was identified using simple maps, graphics and descriptions.
  5. Obtaining comment on the draft framework from the community and refining it in response to comments.
  6. Provision of a network of support (information, advice, property planning, funding etc) so landowners can quickly get involved and begin enhancing vegetation on their properties.

The Pauatahanui Vegetation Framework

The vegetation framework is an overview, presented as a poster, of the key areas of action to retain and develop the important water quality and other benefits of vegetation.  This ensures a common focus by individual landowners and agencies on the key areas that the wider catchment community identify as important.  The community and agencies can keep coming back to this overview to check work is being done in these key areas – helping coordinate actions.

Download the framework poster (PDF 850k)

Catchment Coordinator

email: [email protected]
Phone: 0508 000 062

This person will form a single point of contact for landowners wishing to work on particular action areas under the vegetation framework.  This person will be responsible for linking people to the specific advice and information they are seeking – supporting landowners that are already doing excellent work under the framework action areas and helping others with new initiatives.  Other roles will include:

  • Assisting set up of landowner subcatchment planning groups
  • Help with whole property plans
  • Encouraging development of infrastructure around plant production, fencing contractors, planting and maintenance contractors.
  • Linking and pooling the knowledge of landowners – sharing experiences that work.
  • Organising special information days – e.g. about flood management and stream maintenance.
  • Seeking funding for groups of projects and individual projects
  • Coordinating contractors and agency staff involved in operational projects

The coordinator will report to and assist in running the Catchment Agency Action Group (see below).

Funding is being sought to establish a permanent catchment coordinator. In the interim, Peter Handford will continue with the project and fill the role of part time coordinator.

Catchment Agency Action Group

A group is to be established to ensure an alignment of support and delivery at the agency level. The group will meet at least 6 monthly to resolve issues around implementation in the different action areas of the vegetation framework and ensure that services are being provided in an integrated way. The group will include the following agencies:

  • Greater Wellington Regional Council
    • Flood protection
    • Biodiversity
    • Land management
    • Pest Plants
    • Pest animals
    • Parks & Forests
  • Queen Elizabeth II National Trust
  • Porirua City Council
  • Department of Conservation

Information Sheets

These are summaries of the key items under the different action areas agreed with the community.  Their purpose is to ensure a common understanding of what needs doing (a coordinated view) and to identify contacts for support, information and advice.

Information sheets that are available or being produced are:

Other information & resources

Greater Wellington Regional Council Publications

Mind the stream (PDF 1.7mb)
Restoration planting
Controlling problem weeds in riparian zones
Managing your bush block
A beginners guide to wetland restoration
Understanding the wet in wetlands (PDF 650k)

Taranaki Regional Council – Sustainable Land Management Information Sheets. Click on the link and then select “information sheets” under land management topics.

Contact us

Please feel free to contact us with any questions, or to discuss the project.

Peter Handford
Groundtruth
PO Box 52
Paekakariki
Ph 04 904 0876
Fax 04 904 0873

Clive Anstey
Landscape Architect
Ph 04 939 2973
Fax 04 939 2974