Successful project profiles

From bog to wetland on a Karaka property

Ray and Kathy Reynolds have transformed a boggy area on their Karaka property back into the wetland it once was.

The couple started work on the project in 2006. They dug-up field drains and removed mature willows which they replaced with wetland grasses, sedges, raupo, toi toi, flax, swamp, maire, pukatea and cabbage trees.

The couple have planted more than 3000 native trees and once finished they would have planted an area 400 metres long by 40 metres wide - which extends from their property to the edge of the Manukau Harbour.

The Reynolds received a grant from the Environmental Initiatives Fund (EIF) which paid for native plants and trees. EIF funding will also help pay for a stock-proof fence which they plan to erect in 2009.

In the future they plan to apply for a permanent covenant so their wetland and surrounding land is protected.