DOC's work with kakabeak

The results of the East Cape roadside
planting programme

One of New Zealand’s first native plant conservation programmes was created to protect kowhai ngutukaka around Lake Waikaremoana. Plants in the wild were fenced to exclude browsing animals in several areas and new sites planted out. Recently local hapu, with help from DOC, have established Nga Tipu a Tane ki Waikaremoana nursery at Te Kura o Waikaremoana School, in the Lake Waikaremoana area. Plants are grown here for eventual return to the wild.

On the East Cape, an extensive roadside planting programme was established with local schools and an ingenious method of protecting plants in the wild using animal repellent sprays developed. Seed from wild plants at Boundary Stream Mainland Island has been collected and the grown plants returned to the reserve. Replanting projects have also been conducted in Northland, Auckland and near Wairoa.