Improving Biodiversity in Te Mata Park
One Step at a Time
It’s an exciting time for Te Mata Park. The Park Trust has ambitious plans to plant nearly 60,000 native plants over the next 3 years, which will significantly improve biodiversity and create a beautiful habitat for native birdlife as well as a wonderful destination for park users in the years to come.
80 years ago, 8 hectares of pine forest was planted in Te Mata Park, and today these trees are becoming increasingly hazardous to the public, with fallen trees and huge numbers of vulnerable branches on the cusp of falling. A further 4 hectares of pine trees were planted 30 years ago and are ready for harvesting. All these pine trees will be felled between mid February and mid April 2020, significantly affecting public access to the Park. Large areas will be replaced with native species (starting May 2020), and tracks will be re-established. We are working closely with Pan Pac Forest Products in ensuring a robust harvest & safety management plan. Mana Whenua, QEII National Trust and Trees That Count are also involved. Hastings District Council and HB Regional Council have been consulted on the project and are fully supportive of the Trust’s intentions.
Here is what to expect:
- There are 2 blocks that will be felled (highlighted in yellow on the map below), affecting public access to the park. The larger block will be re-planted with native species.
- The first block is 7.3 hectares of predominantly 80 year old pinus radiata and is located between the Giant Redwoods and Chambers Walk.
- Please note that the Giant Redwoods will NOT be felled and will be protected.
- The second, smaller 4.4 hectare block is located on the south side of the Park (on the red walking track) and is 30 years old. Both blocks are both ready for felling (see below for Ecological Management Plan and ProArbore Report).
- Tauroa carpark will be closed during this 6-8 week process, and there will be traffic management (STOP / GO signs) along Tauroa Road around the ‘windy bits’ adjacent to the reserve to keep local residents safe.
- Please respect track closure signage, and DO NOT enter the logging area under any circumstances. These measures are there to protect you.
- We will endeavour to re-open the tracks as soon as possible, once the logging operations are complete. We realise this will be a great inconvenience to our park users, and sincerely apologise for this interruption to your daily or weekly excursions to the Park. However we will be back to normal as soon as we can!
Why is This Project Happening?
- There is no doubt that our Park is a taonga, a heavenly gift and an iconic feature of Hawke’s Bay. It is the Trust’s objectives to sustain, enhance, protect and maintain Te Mata Park’s outstanding natural features and open spaces. And, it is the responsibility of the Trust Board to further improve on the Park’s biodiversity and ensure it is a safe environment for all park users.
- An Ecological Management Plan was written in 2006 by ecologist Geoff Walls. This comprehensive report gave an in depth insight in to the ecological management issues, and gave recommendations on how best to manage the Park in light of our QEII National Trust covenant. A strong recommendation emerged stating that the ”pine plantations have outgrown their usefulness and are becoming dangerous to people…(and that they) are felled and replaced with native vegetation.”
- Recently in 2019, an assessment was also completed by Bart Mulder of ProArbore. This clearly stated ‘‘the perimeter trees have large lateral branching and this has significant potential for failures and risk to the public. There are a number of trees that have failed entirely and have fallen, they remain hung up and these possess significant risks as people go underneath them. There are many with major defects and will fail in time.”
- Whilst there will be short term challenges in terms of access and also the aesthetics of the harvested land, we firmly believe that this project will be incredibly positive in the long term – for future generations, for our biodiversity, and for providing a healthy habitat for our native species.
The Timeframe
This project has been in the pipeline for several years, with hundreds of hours of planning and preparation, thanks to our committed & skilled volunteer project governance group.
The timeframe is as follows (but note it is subject to change):
- Dec 2019 – February 2020 – Public awareness campaign (8 wks)
- Mid February – Mid April 2020 – Harvesting. 6-8 weeks, weather dependent. Monday to Friday only and limited hours for logging trucks (not during school run hours).
- April – mid May 2020 – Clearing of debris and mulching. Spot spraying. Some trails re-established and opened to the public.
- May – July 2020 – Revegetation programme, stage 1 – including volunteer planting days
- May – July 2021 – Revegetation programme, stage 2 – including volunteer planting days
- May – July 2022 – Revegetation programme, stage 3 – including volunteer planting days
The plan is to plant 40% in the first year, 40% in the second year and 20% in the third year. There will be a focus on species that have a high likelihood of survival in the first year, including manuka, kowhai, lacebark, ngaio, totara and kowhai. These plants will provide shade and protection for more vulnerable (but equally important) species in the second and third years.
We anticipate that 20-25% of plantings will be done during volunteer planting days. This will be coordinated by our Park team, our Project Manager (Guy Morris), and in conjunction with school and community groups. We are very excited about this aspect of the project and look forward to engaging with our park users, and beyond, in creating a wonderful environment for the future.
How Will This Affect Access?
The Forestry project will affect access to the Park for a relatively short period of time. For close to 2 months (mid Feb – mid Apr 2020), a large area of the Park will be strictly closed. No public access will be permitted close to the forestry block, and any breach of access will result in serious consequences.
Please view the map below for details of the closure. All tracks to the left of the grey divider line (running north to south) will be closed for the duration of the project. This includes Chambers Walk and the Giant Redwoods. Tauroa Car Park will be closed. Te Kahu MTB Track and lower Hori will also be closed, as both tracks end up close to the area where Pan Pac will be working.
We will endeavour to re-open the tracks as soon as possible, once the logging operations are complete. We realise this will be a great inconvenience to our park users, and sincerely apologise for this interruption to your daily or weekly excursions to the Park. However we will be back to normal as soon as we can!
Note that there will be traffic management (STOP / GO signs) along Tauroa Road, around the ‘windy bits’ adjacent to the reserve. This will be for the duration that logging trucks will be moving along the road, and is to keep local residents safe. Note that it will be TRUCK ONLY (not trailers) to comply with HDC’s roading requirements.
Please respect the track closure signage & security guards, and do NOT under any circumstances attempt to enter the logging areas.
How Can You Support Us?
It will cost a substantial amount to re-plant the area with 30,000 native trees. We are very grateful for all donations – thank you for your support! Every dollar that is donated will go towards the re-vegetation programme.
Cheque
Cheques can be made payable to Te Mata Park Trust and posted to:
Te Mata Trust
PO Box 8151
Havelock North 4157
Please include a note to say this is a donation for the Re-Vegetation Project and if you require a receipt.
Bank deposit
Account Name: Te Mata Park Trust Board
Account number: 01-0646-0020860-00
Reference: first name/ last name/ Revegetation [first name/ last name is optional]
If you need a receipt please contact us via email.
Or you are most welcome to join our VOLUNTEER PLANTING DAYS. Please add your name to our newsletter distribution list or follow us on Facebook for more details.
In Summary
We do understand that this will be a challenging time for our park users. However in the long term, it will be a fantastic outcome. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this project.
The Park Trust’s kaitiakitanga (guardianship):
- we will sustain, protect and improve populations of native species.
- we will restore natural habitats and strive for a predator and pest free environment.
- we will collaborate effectively with strategic partners to achieve biodiversity outcomes.
- we will support education, engagement and care for the environment, and actively connect our community through structured planting programmes.
- we will work with mana whenua throughout the project, integrating Maori values, ensuring the protection and education of sites of cultural significance.
