Riparian Planting - WAI Wānaka

As part of the Wānaka Water Project, 24,000 native plants are being planted over five years (2018-2022) to restore riparian margins. This is led by WAI Wānaka in partnership with Te Kākano Aotearoa Trust, landowners, QLDC, ORC and other stakeholders.

Riparian zones are the land beside a creek, river, lake or wetland. Planting native grasses, sedges, flaxes, shrubs and/or trees in riparian zones can improve the health of waterways by filtering nutrients before they reach the water, including nitrogen, phosphorus and bacteria such as E. coli.

Other benefits of riparian planting:

Enhanced ecosystem health (including habitat for insects) and increased biodiversity
Reduced sediment runoff and increased bank stabilisation
Provides shade that decreases waterway temperatures (this reduces weed growth and provides stable temperatures for aquatic organisms)
Potential recreational opportunities such as fishing and swimming spots

*Group of volunteers at the Glendhu wetland after a planting and plant maintenance session. Photo credit: Dion Andrews*

GET INVOLVED

HELP US PLANT TREES. To find out more about current riparian planting projects and how to volunteer your time with Te Kākano click here.

DONATE MONEY FOR TREES. A huge thank you to you – our community of funders who have already helped put thousands of plants in the ground along riparian margins in the Upper Clutha catchment – ka pai! You are part of a better future for our waterways.

If you would like to donate trees through Million Metres, click here. Thanks to all of the generous donations so far, we have completed another funding goal earlier in the year and are currently raising funds for the ‘Love our Alpine Lakes‘ project. A massive thank you goes to Speight’s and Fonterra for their match funding.

Back to the Wānaka Water Project.