Waipa Street Bush Restoration Group is a Kaipātiki local board initiative which aims to engage neighbours to restore the 7500sqm bush gully off Waipa Street. This ecological corridor will contribute to the overarching vision for the North-West Wildlink. The group has been a Gecko Living Neighbourhood since early 2016, enabling them to enforce a weeding and predator control programme in the Waipa Street Bush, with goals to eventually become a weed and pest free neighbourhood. They are also hoping to link with other groups active in the area (such as the Verran Eskdale Restoration group) to help each other restore the network of bush areas.
Gecko has assisting the group in community networking and also facilitates working bees each month. These working bees allow the group to meet neighbours, socialise, explore the bush and admire local animals such as; fantail, lizards, tui, wood pigeon and wax eye. The group also sends out regular newsletters to motivate, educate, track success and continue to engage the wider community. A major focus has been on eradicating wild ginger, moth plant and mignonette vine, as well as trapping possums and rats. If you want to engage your neighbours in a similar way or want to restore and enhance your local reserve, contact Gecko.
If you live near Waipa Street and are interested in assisting their efforts, please email jo.utting@nzsafetyblackwoods.co.nz
Supported by Kaipātiki Local Board
