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Wiri Wai Care Wonders! Students from Wiri Central School proudly sign W after completing work on the Puhinui stream.
Learning goes beyond the classroom Drury School drain painting Wai Care Fieldtrip to Hunua Brendon with a longfin eel found during fish monitoring Drury School's Wai Care club recently painted up a
Papakura Normal School's middle and senior
storm to give their stormwater drains a makeover.
environment club students got to explore with all
Some old designs (a mermaid, Sponge Bob Square Pants, their senses as they touched, tasted, looked at and
and a blue seahorse) got fresh coats of paint while some new heard the native bush, river and culture at a recent
designs were introduced. These included a huge pink jelly fieldtrip to the Hunua Falls Regional Park.
fish with multi-coloured tentacles with the catch phrase The students and other locals now regularly use the stream Students were led on a short hike by Ranger Scott who taught "don't pollute the water", and a green octopus with red legs as a summer swimming hole. You don't get that happening in them all about native plants, the small but precious kokako showing the important connection between stormwater drains many city streams these days! population and the trapping programme for invasive stoats and the sea.
"I've never seen people so keen to pick up rubbish", says co-ordinator Kate.
Drawing attention to these drains At the falls, students got a closer look at the river life as creates awareness of the The teachers and principal were equally impressed and the Ranger Hugh led them through a river dipping session, important connection exercise has provided a stimulus and more opportunities for scooping up river bugs with nets and identifying them.
between stormwater the great supporters within our local community.
"The students loved the roar of the falls and got very excited streams and ocean ‘As seen on TV' solution for when they caught shrimp and native bullies in their nets," says Wai Care co-ordinator, Laura Torre.
roping in whitebait Riki Bennett captivated students as he explained the Maori A chance viewing of a TV news story by Wai Care
traditional relationship with the forest environment. Students co-ordinator Andrew Jenks about Environment
were spell-bound as he showed them a model reed boat Waikato's fish survey team methods inspired a bit
made of raupo (a wetland reed), known as Mokihi that was of kiwi ingenuity to improve the waterways for
used on rivers and lakes, sandals known as Paraerae made Many young students crowded around to watch the artists in whitebait in a Pakuranga Stream.
from ti kouka (cabbage tree) and harakeke (flax), and an eel action at which point the Wai Care club, changed from artists Fish surveys in 2009 and 2010 found that a ‘hanging' culvert trap or Hinaki made from mangemange (a climbing fern). to stream advocates, taking the opportunity to inform in the stream would prevent the offspring of the few banded onlookers that the stormwater drains are not a place for kokopu living there, returning from their nursery days in the rubbish and that only rain should go down the drains to estuary to the Pakuranga Stream.
prevent pollution of our streams, harbours and beaches.
Schools of inanga (whitebait) could regularly be seen below Drury school students painting the outlet pipe so it was clear that this large culvert posed a stream next to their school. The stream study was part of the significant barrier to the fish.
school's Impact Project and is supported by the Wai Care The Environment Waikato team had developed a potential solution for overcoming common fish barrier problems after The Impact Project is aimed at supporting young people to they saw whitebait climbing Pohutukawa roots growing down be contributing and confident citizens. It is a project-based the side of a waterfall and it was this that inspired Andrew learning initiative driven by the passion and interests of when he saw it on the TV news. The team imitated students. Every Wednesday, students dedicate the entire Pohutukawa roots using coarse rope in place of tree roots to Riki Bennett speaks to students about traditional weaving school day to planning, developing and carrying out their see if climbing species could make it past a variety of barriers. He shared the ancient Polynesian fire making process of "With a tight budget and a difficult culvert to fix, the group rubbing a stick on a flat board called Hika Ahi using the Ross and Brendon got in touch with Wai Care co-ordinator needed an innovative solution which we found on the telly", wood of the kaikomako and mahoe trees. Megan Beard at the start of the school year keen to explore says Andrew.
the stream next to the brand new school. The students are The students also got to sample a few native treats – Wiri Wai Care wonders both tropical fish aficionados so it was an easy leap to Fish monitoring at the Pakuranga stream natives – mentored by ‘fish man' Paul Woodard. Paul helped Finally they were treated to a demonstration of two native Usually the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat but
the students set up sampling sites and gave them traps and flutes - the Putorino carved from native wood which made a in this case the curiosity of a few students has led
tips to get them started. deep haunting sound, and the Karanga Manu which makes to the restoration of a local stream.
Over two terms the students recorded the presence of a beautiful melodic sound used for calling birds. They also A chance encounter with a few local kids peering over the previously unrecorded species such as the giant bully. heard the Nguru emitting another enchanting sound made fence during a recent Environmental Initiatives Fund Longfin eels ranging in size from half a metre to 1.5metres from the tooth of a sperm whale. community planting event near Wiri Central School and a were other exciting finds. "This trip really complimented what the students have been conversation with Wai Care co-ordinators, engaged enough The longfin eel is much rarer than its cousin, the shortfin, learning in the Wai Care programme about water quality interest for the school to hold their own volunteer day.
and has official designation as a nationally threatened and the importance of native bush and restoration projects." Fifty five students, two teachers, one parent and the principal species. Impacts including habitat destruction and commercial from Wiri Central School gave up their lunch break to pick fishing have meant that numbers of longfins have dropped by up rubbish and plant native trees and shrubs at the Puhinui Albany Senior High students stream restoration site (on Counties Manukau District Health The students' obvious passion proved catching, with an Board land) with the Wiri Wai Care group.
"Ropes have been installed up to and invitation to present at a whole school assembly at Albany through the culvert and we hope migrating fish will be able to This activity is part of a six-year project which started from A passion for tropical fish has evolved into an
Junior High School inspiring future students to think about take advantage of it. The next stage is to repeat the survey of vacant pasture land and is now witnessing success with an interest in native fish – and their protection.
their environment.
juvenile fish to see whether any have made it through the increase in insect, bird, fish and stream life. The project is culvert. This approach is still in the very early trial stage and Students Ross McWilliams and Brendon Finlay's interest in Brendon has proven to be a major Wai Care asset and has also supported by the Auckland Council's Environmental we are working closely with Environment Waikato and native fish was ignited by getting involved in hands-on fish assisted with fish trapping for events and fish monitoring for Initiative Fund and the Nestle Community Environment Project. Auckland Council to see how this works in our streams".
monitoring as part of an ecological health assessment of the other Wai Care sites – all in his spare time! Fascinating finds phosphate as well as slightly acidic pH.
This is why the Wai Care group at Gladstone Primary School was surprised to find a spotty stonefly nymph just below the Spotty stonefly at Oakley Creek waterfall in Oakley Creek on a fieldtrip in August. The spotty stonefly scores a five in the Wai Care Invertebrate A recent find of a spotty stonefly was a huge reward Monitoring Protocol (WIMP) indicating that they are more
for Oakley Creek Wai Care members.
tolerant to pollution than other species of stonefly. However Spotty stonefly. Photo: S. Moore.
spotty stoneflies are still only found in medium to high quality streams.
Stoneflies prefer cool water temperatures, stony substrate, bush or pasture as the surrounding land use and stable stream banks.
Conservation group and Wai Care members Friends of Oakley Creek have been working hard for a number of years to improve the freshwater environment at Oakley, and have undertaken a massive amount of riparian planting.
The presence of this small spotty stonefly is a huge testament to Summer 2011
Oakley Creek in Mt Albert serves a predominantly urban the positive ef ect these restoration ef orts are having on stabilising ‘Adventure Race' a winner catchment and is typical of many urban streams in Auckland with stream banks, lowering contaminants from runoff entering the often elevated water temperature and levels of nitrates and stream and reducing water temperature by providing shade.
Auckland Council Monitoring restoration planting Yes it's here – as of November
1st all the local councils have
Wai Care, Wai Care, how does your planting grow? been ‘supersized' into the
The aim of restoration planting along stream banks is to create a self-sustaining, self-maintaining habitat.
Auckland Council.
However, we all know that nature needs a helping hand now is starting to become self-sustaining. Wai Care is continuing to operate in and again, so you should check in on your planting to see how Animal action. If native seedlings are coming up but not
the new structure, but there are some things are growing. A good way to do this is to establish a growing any larger, look for evidence of animal pests (faeces staffing changes.
monitoring programme, which will help you identify what or chunks bitten out of leaves). This might suggest that pests needs to be done with your planting area next.
like possums are eating the seedlings before they get a chance We bid farewell to: Some tips on how to set up a monitoring programme: to become established - it could be time to start a pest control
l The ‘Steering Group' that drew The proof is in the picture. Take photos before you start
each individual council together and planting (preferably before you even start weed control so you The weeds beneath my plants. Over time you should see a
helped to guide the programme. have a record of your site before you start caring for it).
reduction in quantities of invasive weeds as the habitat formerly occupied by these is filled with native plants. Many invasive North Shore City Council Take follow up photos every six months or so. Choose a couple weed species such as pampas grass need lots of light, so once co-ordinator Megan Beard who of ‘photo points' i.e. easy to identify locations or landmarks this is removed through planting natives their ability to survive is is moving to another exciting role that you return to regularly to take photographs from.
reduced. Keep an eye on what invasive species are present and in the Stormwater Education and Seedling regeneration. Look for evidence that natural
aim to control these. Community Programmes team. regeneration is occurring. Native seedlings should come up Reach out. Keep in touch with your Wai Care co-ordinator.
l Chrissy Henley the regional without you needing to plant, indicating that your planting area We like to hear how you are getting on! co-ordinator who is moving to the Auckland Regional Council and Wai Care trialled a new high
Sustainable Catchments team. school education programme in September, which involved
We welcome Hazel Meadows who students from high schools across Auckland and one from
joins us from the Pollution Response Held at the Cascades, the ‘Adventure Race' was based on a Rogaine style of Working together as the Auckland Papakura Normal School students planting the Old Wairoa Stream orienteering where 12 teams of four raced against each other and the clock to Council provides a great opportunity get points from within a mapped area. for Wai Care and we are excited To win the challenge teams had to collect the greatest number of points. about what is ahead and look forward Bonus points could be gained by reaching furthermost points on the map and to continuing to work with you all. by completing ‘sustainability challenges'. While things are being fine-tuned, Sustainability challenges included: setting pest traps, identifying native plants, please contact the interim Project Interim project leader shovelling, transporting and spreading loads of gravel to a section of track, Leader Kim Morresey at Kim Morresey, ph: 09 366 2000 ext 8193
Andrew Jenks, co-ordinator
identifying footprints on a trakka tunnel pad, and identifying bugs from the ph: 0274 585 286, email: [email protected] Waitakere Stream using the Wai Care Invertebrate Field Guide.
Julia Tuineau, co-ordinator
ph: 09 636 8020, email: [email protected] The top two teams managed to get 180 points (9 different bugs!) out of a Taryn Pearce, co-ordinator
ph: 09 377 9779, email: [email protected] possible 220 points.
Justine Coup, co-ordinator
Rachel Griffiths, co-ordinator
All competitors had an amazing time, and the teachers involved said that it ph: 09 377 9779, email: [email protected] ph: 021 270 3621, email: [email protected] was a fabulous event. Central, South and East "Due to its popularity the event will be repeated and there is potential for it Laura Torre, co-ordinator
Shane Butland, co-ordinator
to be run at different locations and offered to younger age groups," says ph: 09 295 2349, email: [email protected] ph: 021 252 7127, email: [email protected] Wai Care co-ordinator Rachel Griffiths.

Source: https://waicare.org.nz/Files/NewSplash%20Summer%20FINAL.pdf