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Sands stable but more planters needed 

 

BY JULIA WADE 

15 MF-Duneplant1 2-878Mangawhai’s iconic Sandspit received another batch of coastal grasses recently as part of a long-term successful planting program that has seen over 200,000 sand-hardy flora take root since the program’s inception.


Every year a team of enthusiastic volunteers – mainly from Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society (MHRS) and led by Jerry Pilmer who has headed volunteer planting missions for 12 years – brace themselves against all sorts of coastal weather to plant large quantities of spinifex and pingao which protect and stabilise shifting sands. 

Spinifex and pingao grasses are used to aid sand stabilisation and plant life development as well as assist with bird nesting, and both types of the baby flaxes have a unique way to help stop sand dune erosion. 

Pingao grows vertically, catching flying sand to form dunes, dying off once the sand dune becomes stable. However if erosion begins to occur, usually after a storm, the plant will send out shoots and start growing again. 

Spinifex grows horizontally, along the base of dunes or sandbanks, and form dense masses which hold the sand and will keep growing even when covered.

A recent group of keen planters including Department of Conservation (DOC) members braved the erratic autumn weather and lingering ominous clouds and headed to the dune on July 30. This year however, the job was made a bit easier thanks to ‘some smart local thinking’, MHRS spokesperson Ken Rayward says.

“We were helped out by a wonderful piece of innovative thinking by these clever Mangawhaian’s – Grant Stewart, Brett Goodley and Doug Lloyd – who designed a three-pronged hole-making device,” Rayward says. “Fitted onto the tractor, it proved to half the usual manual technique time and muscle needed to dig holes.” 

The regular work, combined with a rabbit control program also conducted by MHRS volunteers is proving largely successful with significant sand mound developments stretching from the western spit shoreline across to the eastern surf beach. 

However, since commencing with the first DOC-approved sandspit planting in 1991, volunteer numbers have dropped dramatically from 40 volunteers at the first annual planting day to around 10.
Rayward says. 

“Sadly the ‘Spirit of Mangawhai’ represented in the health and wellness of our distal spit and estuary seems today to be taken for granted or not cared for by our community as it was in the past,” says Ken. “But with the challenging times ahead, which our beloved estuary environment will be facing, we will need to see more community involvement and care.” 

 Interested in signing up to nurture and protect Mangawhai’s harbour and coastline? Contact president Doug Lloyd at doug.lloyd@gmail.com, 021 222 5657.

Dedicated volunteers helping to preserve Mangawhai’s iconic sandspit one plant at a time. While many hands make light work, a lot more are needed to help nurture and protect the areas sand dunes and surrounding coastline. PHOTO/KEN RAYWARD

“With the challenging times ahead… we will need to see more community involvement and care.” 
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