James Ihaka and his family's dedication to restore and care for their Whatawhata land
Project overview and site preparation
Before planting could begin, our property required extensive site preparation. Large areas were heavily infested with gorse, privet, long grass, and blackberry, making access and planting extremely difficult and time intensive.
We engaged a Katikati contractor with specialist mulching and weed-clearing machinery. Using his equipment, James was able to clear large sections (about 3 acres) of gorse, privet, and blackberry in a single day — work that would realistically have taken my sons and I many weekends to complete by hand. He also mowed and cleared steep grassy areas to make planting safe and accessible.
This professional site preparation was a crucial first step and allowed us to proceed efficiently and safely with large-scale planting.
Stock exclusion and protection
To protect our investment and the integrity of the planting, we also upgraded fencing around the planted areas. This is now excluding all stock and preventing browsing, trampling, and damage to young plants. This has been a critical step in ensuring the success of the project.
Project Goal and Long-Term Vision
The goal of our planting project is to:
Maintain and continue planting trees and shrubs to establish long-term native forest cover
Suppress invasive weeds through natural shading and ongoing maintenance
Improve biodiversity and habitat for birds and pollinators
Enhance land stability and environmental resilience
Contribute to the wellbeing of the Waipā river
Leave a lasting environmental legacy for our children and future generations
By undertaking this project, we are very proud to be contributing to a broader, connected network of native habitats across our community.
Collectively, these efforts strengthen ecological corridors and improve the chances of seeing the return of native birds, increased pollinator activity, and restored birdsong throughout our area.
Our planting is undertaken not in isolation, but as part of a wider, community-driven movement to restore and protect the natural environment of Whatawhata for future generations.
Once again, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Regen Waikato and its funders for making this project possible. Your support has directly enabled the restoration of a large area of degraded land and has empowered our whānau to take an active role in ecological regeneration.
While the work is ongoing due to challenging weather and vigorous weed regrowth, we remain fully committed to the long-term success of this project and to honouring the investment you have made in our whenua.
