Whale Trail helps restore local taonga
Rico Nicklin, (Rangitāne, Ngati Kuia), Peter Meihana, Kristie Pakipaki – Pou Taiao (Envronmental Manager) Te Ātiawa o te Waka-a-Māui, Renēe Love, Kaitohutohu Taiao (Environmental Kaitiaki) Te Ātiawa o te Waka-a-Māui
Planting 1000 native trees, shrubs and grasses at the Blue Hole in Koromiko was a wonderful opportunity for all those connected with the Whale Trail to help restore a local taonga.
The Blue Hole is an important spring in the Speeds Road section of the Para Swamp and flows almost continuously, feeding into the Para Swamp and then the Tuamarino River.
Helping the Whale Trail was a committed group of local volunteers including landowners, Kerry and Ivan Fearn whose family have been farming in the Koromiko Valley for four generations. The Fearns were delighted to have the willows and weeds cleared from the Blue Hole and fencing in place. Keen riders themselves, the Fearns are looking forward to seeing the plantings give pleasure to the many future trail users.
Also helping were volunteers from Te Ātiawa o Waka-a-Maui and Te Rūnanga ā Rangitāne o Wairau. Historically, the Para Valley was an important area rich in resources for iwi, as well as being an important thoroughfare between Wairau and Waitohi. Te Rūnanga ā Rangitāne o Wairau Trustee Peter Meihana said the Whale Trail planting event gave them a chance to physically connect as kaitiaki, collaborate with the community and share their mātauranga.
The planting day was supported by Fonterra, Council, Wild about Natives and Morgans Nursery as well as Marlborough Boys’ College agriculture course students, Marlborough Sounds Adventure Company and the Picton Cycle Group.
