Wairio Wetland Restoration Project
Eastern Lake Wairarapa
Objectives of Restoration Project
The objective of the restoration project is to restore a wetland to a site extensively modified by the drainage and clearance work associated with the LWVDS. The restored wetland, in turn, will facilitate the increase in aviforna, initially predominantly duck and swan but at maturity, many more non-gamebird species. This will be achieved by tackling the following four main areas:
1. Water Supply and Retention
Areas of near permanent water with extensive margins of ephemeral wetland and some totally ephemeral ponds will be created. The permanent water will be retained by the repair of the previously mentioned southern earth dam and the creation of additional earth dam walls to the north. These dam walls will also double as access routes for members of the public to both observation sites that will be constructed within the wetland and to the eastern shores of Lake Wairarapa.
Water supply will be from Lake Wairarapa in times of flood plus normal surface water. Additionally, the wetland water level is influenced by Lake Wairarapa which has its own target control levels under the LWVDS. It is planned to monitor water levels at the wetland, correlating them with actual levels at the Lake. In the event it is considered desirable to supplement water supply to the wetland, various options will be evaluated including the use of a bore.
2. Revegetation
Both the wetland and the surrounding area will be revegetation. Progressively, areas will be fenced off and eco-sourced sedges, flaxes and trees, corresponding to the different natural swamp habitats that would have existed at the wetland, will be planted. It is also expected that native sedge, flax and tree seeds, present in the soil, will germinate over time.
Concurrently, a program to control noxious weeds, eg, blackberry, gorse, lupin, alders, etc, in or adjacent to the wetland will be introduced.
3. Earth Works
The existing landscape was altered, principally by the creation of the abovementioned, parallel wind-rows of bulldozed willow debris. These wind-rows will be intersected to create random islands and areas of more permanent water, affording waterfowl ideal dabbling areas, increased protection from predators and more secure nesting areas.
4. Predator Control
A predator control programme, coordinated with control work conducted by the Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC), will be implemented to limit mustelid, feral cat, rodent and possum populations.
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