Wetland landscape starting to take shape

In May, upstream water from the Otauira wetlands was released through newly constructed culverts into the new wetland area. This milestone was marked with a karakia (blessing) by Paraone Pirika (Ngāti Uenukukōpako | Ngāti Te Roro o te Rangi). Further pond areas have been created closer to the entry to the reserve. Water will enter these ponds through seepage from the lake and the wetlands upstream, and during heavy rain.

During the construction period, contractors also removed non-native vegetation which will break down in the wetland overtime. Grass between the new wetlands and the beach has started to grow back and form areas for picnicking and recreation.

Later in the year, Council, along with contractors and the community will begin planting more than 13,000 native plants across the new wetlands.

Information panels and signage will also be updated at a later stage in the project. The construction phase of the project is expected to be completed by mid-spring (weather permitting), but visitors can still access areas of the wetlands for recreation, intermittent closures in some areas will be clearly marked.

Throughout construction, physical works has unearthed a significant amount of litter. It is unknown whether the rubbish has been buried for some time, has recently been littered by visitors to the reserve or has floated downstream. Council, mana whenua and the Eastside community want to remind visitors to the reserve to take any rubbish and recycling home or use the bins provided within the reserve.

The restoration of the wetlands is all part of the commitment set out in the Waikawau/Hannahs Bay Reserve Management Plan to protect and enhance the environmental value of the reserve. The reserve has significant ecological value with a large area of the reserve being occupied by the Otauira wetland which extends into the adjacent airport land. The wetlands are significant to tangata whenua not only for their function in contributing to the ongoing wellbeing of Papatūānuku (Earth Mother) but also traditionally provided essential flora and fauna for tribal sustenance as well as for medicinal and cultural purposes. The Otauira wetland has previously been identified by the Department of Conservation as valuable due to the critical role it plays in being a habitat for native vegetation and birdlife as well as contributing to improved water quality of Lake Rotorua and connecting streams.

The Waikawau/Hannahs Bay Reserve Management Plan was adopted in June 2019 and developed in partnership by Rotorua Lakes Council, Ngāti Uenukukōpako and Ngāti Te Roro o te Rangi and the Rotorua Eastside community. The Management Plan reflects the ongoing commitment to work together to achieve the shared aspirations of the parties for Waikawau/Hannahs Bay Reserve and the wider Eastside community.