18 January 2010

Significant Wairarapa coastal area protected

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The Te Humenga dunes on Wairarapa’s south coast. Photo: Joe Hansen/Department of Conservation.

One of the most intact dune ecosystems along the Wairarapa south coast is being protected through a partnership between the Department of Conservation and the landowners.

The Te Humenga dunes are among the 10 most important dunes in the lower North Island. In March 2009, landowner Simon Crawford, supported by Palliser Bay Station farm manager Brian Jephson, entered this coastal land into a DOC land protection covenant.

The 21.1 hectare section of dunes contains many native coastal plants including the rare sand tussock (Austrofestuca littoralis) and animals such as katipo spiders, lizards and the threatened Notoreas Wellington moth.

DOC biodiversity programme manager Bruce Vander Lee believes that this is an excellent opportunity to protect a coastal area with significant conservation value for the Wairarapa.

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Fencing is protecting the conservation values of the Te Humenga dunes on Wairarapa’s south coast. Photo: Joe Hansen/Department of Conservation.

“A recent project identifying coastal properties of significance has been completed and it is exciting to work with private landowners to protect areas that have been identified as nationally important. We look forward to doing more in the future,” says Bruce.

Brian Jephson believes, as a Wairarapa local, that it’s important to look after our coastal sites.

"It will be great to have this area protected to prevent further damage by vehicles, grazing stock and the dumping of weeds and rubbish," says Brian.

Work to protect the covenanted area has already started, supported by a successful bid to the Biodiversity Condition Fund.

Fencing is being erected to protect the native plant communities and threatened species that live there. The fence has been designed so that access to an existing car-park utilised by boat launchers and fishermen continues. Other work at the dunes will include weed control and information signs describing the value of the area.

For more information on protecting biodiversity on private land please visit: www.biodiversity.govt.nz/land/guidance/index.html

ENDS

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