It's widely recognised both internationally and nationally our biodiversity is reaching a crisis point.
Tairāwhiti is no exception, having lost key ecosystems and habitats from inland areas through to the coast. Just 7% of the Tairāwhiti district is classified as native bush.
The programme will ultimately result in the addition of a further 1100 ha of secondary native forest within the region.
The regenerating forest ecosystem will be contiguous with the Waingake Waterworks Bush – the largest and most significant remnant of coastal lowland forest in our region, and home to several rare and threatened flora and fauna such as long-tailed bats, North Island rifleman, NZ falcon, hebe tairawhiti, and 2 species of mistletoe (Peraxilla tetrapetala and Tupeia antarctica).
Waingake Waterworks Bush is a massive biodiversity asset for Tairāwhiti. The opportunity for this programme to increase protection for the diverse range of flora and fauna within Waingake Waterworks Bush aligns with the vision and outcomes of Te Mana o Te Taiao.