Four community group are set to make a great impact on the biodiversity of the Hurunui region after receiving grants through the MainPower Natural Hurunui Environment Fund.
The MainPower Hurunui Natural Environment Fund encourages and assists voluntary work that benefits the natural environment. The fund focuses on work that protects, restores or reinstates indigenous biodiversity in our district. MainPower and Hurunui District Council contribute $5,000 each to this fund.
MainPower’s General Manager of Safety and Business Risk, Karen Cameron represented MainPower on the judging committee.
The awards were presented to recipients by Karen and Hurunui Mayor, Marie Black at an event on Wednesday evening.
MainPower Hurunui Environment Award Recipients
Blythe Valley Catchment Group – $1,965
The membership of the Blythe Valley Catchment Groups includes over 20 property owners and managers with 70 family members, covering over 6,500 hectares including two QEII Covenants. The group initiated a trapping program in January 2024, to date has trapped over 490 predators and pests. The grant is to be used to purchase four AT220 automatic traps to assist with further predator control focussing on possums, rats and stoats.
Northern Pegasus Bay Coastcare Inc – $4,000
The Coastcare group has a history of over 20 years of biodiversity work by its committee members in the district. The grant will be used to fence and protect an area of Sebaea Ovata which is the only known site of this plant in New Zealand. Fencing an area at the Kowai River mouth will protect the nesting sites of the Banded Dotterel and the White Fronted Tern. The grant will also be used to extend the group’s predator trapping operation which runs north from Ashworths Beach.
Puketira Deer Ltd – $1,000
In 2013, Lyndon and Millie Matthews received a grant from the MainPower Hurunui Environment Fund to fence and restore a wetland area in a tributary of Weka Creek, this project is now well established and flourishing. The Matthews now plan to continue that work on the biodiversity corridor through their property by fencing, spot spraying and planting new areas. Many of the seedlings to be used will be eco-sourced and propagated on the farm.
Scott Anderson – $3,000
Fyfe Downs Farm in Rotherham has two streams running through the property and a long boundary with the Waiau Uwha river. The Andersons plan to restore the natural character of the streams over a 10-year period. Eight years ago, they planted out a 400-metre stretch along one of the small streams and this area is maturing well. The Andersons will use this grant to assist with the restoration programme with further plantings and removal of weeds such as old man’s beard, willow and blackberry.
