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Waikato River Clean-Up Trust funding sought
Tonkin & Taylor has submitted a funding application to the Waikato
River Clean-Up Trust in association with the stream care group to
implement the fish habitat restoration plan and the wetland construction plan
in Sandford Park. In addition, funding is being sought to develop a
restoration plan for the stream downstream of Peacockes Rd to where it
enters the river and alongside the Rangimarie Te Horanganui marae on
Collins Rd.
Redfin bullies found upstream of culvert
Two redfin bullies were recently collected for the first time in the
Peacockes Branch above the recently installed fish pass. This bully
species migrates upstream from the estuary - it looks like the new fish
pass is working!
Wetland construction plan
A wetland construction plan has been developed for the group by Tonkin
& Taylor for a site at the end of Sandford Park near Peacockes Rd.
Read more and see the plans on our Restoration page.
New fish pass at Peacockes Rd
Work on the stream culvert under Peacockes Road has helped improve
passage for migrating native fish. The work was carried out by a
contractor, and involved constructing a concrete ramp to remove the
high velocity drops at the culvert pipe and the downstream apron, and
cementing of stones in place to create resting areas for fish. Thanks
to the Waikato Catchment Ecological Enhancement Trust and the Hamilton
City Council for funding, and Brenda for organising the project.
See the culvert before, during and after construction of the ramp.
Bellbirds nesting in Mangakotukutuku gully
A fledging bellbird has been sighted in Hamilton for the first time in
150 years - and it happened at a Melville property backing on to
the Mangakotukutuku Stream gully. The bird's parents may have been from
the release of 50 bellbirds in Hamilton Gardens, just across the river,
last May.
Koi carp seen in Sandford Park
A group member recently spotted a koi carp in the stream in Sandford
Park. The recent high water levels in the Waikato River probably
backed up to the Peacockes Road culvert and enabled it to
get through. Please report any other sightings of this pest.
Sewage pipe realignment in Te Anau Park
HCC has announced plans to realign the sewage pipe currently running alongside the stream in Sandford Park (see map). This should prevent the sewage spills recently reported.
Kereru seen in Mangakotukutuku gully
One of our members recently reported a kereru visting their part of the gully (see photo). Let us know of any other sightings.
Keeping Our River Mighty' campaign showcases stream care group
A Hamilton museum campaign called 'Keeping Our River Mighty' is
highlighting the contribution of community groups maintaining the
health of the Waikato River. The Mangakotukutuku Stream flows into the
river opposite the Botanic Gardens, and the stream care group's work is
featured as part of the exhibition at the museum. The campaign opened
in mid-October. See poster...
Group presents at Peacockes hearing
Joel and Kevin recently presented on the Peacockes Structure Plan at a
City Council hearing to follow up on the Group's written submission. Read our submission on the HCC Report ...
Group features in urban stream survey
A recent survey has highlighted the Mangakotukutuku Stream Care Group
as being recognised by over 10% of Hamilton City residents living next
to gully streams. Read the full report...
Thesis on restoring Giant kokopu
Group member and University of Waikato student Brenda Aldridge recently
completed her M.Sc. thesis entitled "Restoring giant kokopu (Galaxias argenteus)
populations in Hamilton urban streams". Two of Brenda's 10 sites were on the
Mangakotukutuku Stream, and she introduced farm-reared juvenile kokopu
to one of these sites. She monitored these fish regularly and found that some
of the introduced fish stayed around for at least 11 months at this
site, the longest of any of the streams she looked at around Hamilton.
Tainui River claim presentation
The group was represented at the recent Tainui river claim presentation
at Hopuhopu on 24 January 2008. As the Mangakotukutuku is a tributary of the Waikato River
comes under this claim (click here
to learn more about the claim). Thanks to Tainui for their hospitality.
Stream part of restoration study
The Mangakotukutuku Stream has been included in a NIWA study of methods
to restore stream insect life at sites that are too far away from
healthy streams to be naturally recolonised. Habitat for caddisflies to
form pupae on was introduced into the healthy Peacockes branch and then
transferred to other sites in the catchment to see if the pupae develop
into adult insects.
Diverse adult insect fauna
A recent report completed by NIWA has further highlighted the
biodiversity value of Mangakotukutuku Stream. The study found that
sites sampled in this catchment had higher average diversity of adult
mayflies and caddisflies than the other main stream catchments in
Hamilton City. Read the report...
"Albino" eel seen
We recently had a report of an "albino" eel in the Peacockes branch of
Mangakotukutuku Stream. Eels with this light coloration, often more
yellow than white, are seen from time to time. Tradition has it that
these eels lead other adult eels to sea for spawning.
Submission on the Peacockes Structure Plan
The group has made a
submission to the city council on the Peacockes Structure Plan.
The land surrounding the Peacockes branch of Mangakotukutuku Stream is designated
for future development which could well compromise the high ecological values of
this stream unless it is managed appropriately. Read our submission...
Restoration opportunity analysis
Wayne Teal, a GIS student from the Geography Department at the
University of Waikato, has done an analysis to help identify potential
sites for restoration in the Mangakotukutuku catchment. See a copy of Wayne's poster
Tainui River claim presentation
The group was represented at the recent Tainui river claim presentation
at Hopuhopu. As the Mangakotukutuku is a tributary of the Waikato River
comes under this claim (click here
to learn more about the claim). Thanks to Tainui for their hospitality
and we look forward to hearing about further developments.
Submission on HCC annual plan
The group has made a submission on the City Council's annual plan in an
effort to increase awareness of the City's streams, promote
improved management. Read our submission...
More giant kokopu!
During a recent visit to Ian and Elaine's gully in the Peacockes area,
some group members were lucky enough to spot-light some giant kokopu -
they were living in a small clearwater seepage stream away from the
main part of the stream where some big long-finned eels were
seen. Another small tributary in Sandford Park has become one of the
first sites ever to have giant kokopu introduced. This was done by
Brenda Aldridge as part of her MSc thesis to look at ways of enhancing
habitat for giant kokopu in Hamilton urban streams.
Giant New Zealand dragonfly found
The giant New Zeland dragonfly Uropetala carovei has been found in the Mangakotukutuku catchment. Click here to see a photo. Find out more.....
Restoring fish habitat
Member of this streamcare group and University of Waikato Masters
student Brenda Aldridge has been working to find out ways of restoring
habitat for native fish within Hamilton City gully streams, including
the Mangakotukutuku. Ponga logs and clay pipes will be added to streams
to determine habitat preferences by native fish species (see photo). Juveniles of the threatened giant kokopu will be stocked into the stream to find out how they use this new habitat.
Front page news
The Hamilton Press recently ran a front page article on the stream care group. Click here to see this article.
Kowhai Community Group Award
The Mangakotukutuku Stream Care Group has been awarded the 2006 Kowhai
Community Group Award for its contribution to community conservation.
The award was made by the City Council at the Hamilton Yacht Club on 4
December.
Draft Waste Management Plan
Submissions have been called for on the liquid waste component of the
City Council's draft Waste Management Plan (click here). This includes
stormwater which ends up in streams, including the Mangakotukutuku, and
has the potential to be a significant issue in the Peacockes
development. The group is making a submission on this plan (read our submission).
Peacockes Structure Plan released
The City Council has released the Peacockes Structure Plan. This can be viewed on-line by clicking here.
Submission on the Draft Peacockes Structure Plan
The land surrounding the Peacockes branch is designated
for future development in the Draft Structure Plan.
This development could well compromise the high ecological values of
this branch unless it is managed appropriately. The group has made a
submission to the city council on this proposal - thanks to Thomas
Wilding for putting this together (read the Peacockes_submission)
Envirofund application
The Mangakotukutuku Stream Care
Group has successfully applied to Hamilton City Council for support
through the Envirofund to generate community
support, develop educational material, and initiate stream enhancement work. The plan over the first year includes:
- developing email and postal databases
- developing and publishing a membership and information brochure
- holding one public meeting to discuss
goals and activities
- conducting at least one community
project
- approaching schools to make the
stream and gully system a focal point of environmental education
programmes.
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