How to apply

Helpful tips

Site and planting advice

Native plants

The ARC is an advocate for the preservation, protection and enhancement of Auckland's unique natural heritage and biodiversity. Native plants increase biodiversity, provide homes and food for a variety of native birds, insects and reptiles, stabilise soil, enhance water quality and provide a sense of place and New Zealand identity. As such, EIF supports restoration projects which use appropriate, native, ecosourced plant species (see below).

If your application includes the purchase of native plants, uplifting of the funding occurs between November 2009 and November 2010.  This enables you to plan and undertake your planting project in the 2010 planting season (April - July with exception of planting into wetlands or boggy stream areas that are submerged during winter, then Feb - March when water table is lowest).

It is good to be aware when planning your project that newly planted sites will require some follow-up maintenance. It is likely that for the first 2-3 years after planting, until canopy cover is achieved, weed species will continue to invade newly planted areas because of existing light gaps. To minimise post planting weed treatment, it is best to control weeds as long before planting as possible. In general, spraying of weeds in revegetation areas should commence at least 3 months before planting. Some aggressive grasses such as kikuyu are best sprayed in the spring (prior to planting) and again in late summer in preparation for autumn planting.

Following planting, ongoing weed control by either careful spot spraying or hand releasing will be necessary. Where possible try to retain non invasive or dead weed matter around the plants as this will help retain moisture during dry periods (dead kikuyu is great for this). It is also useful to place coloured stakes next to your plants during planting so they can be easily located if overtopped by grass or weeds later on.

For information on how to control pest plants at your planting site contact the ARC Biosecurity Team on 09 366 2000.

Ecosourcing native plants

Ecosourced native plants are plants which have been grown from seed that has been collected from local, natural populations. The local origin of these plants mean that they are well adapted to the local climate and soils and have a greater chance of survival. Growing plants from your local area also means you are preserving and enhancing the local genetic character. Many Auckland nurseries are able to provide ecosourced native plants upon request.

For assistance and more information, please contact the ARC 09 366 2000 for the Wholesale Native Plant nurseries list.

Plant selection, planning and planting

When drawing up a plant species list for your project, obtaining quotes and purchasing plants, you will need to consider the following:

• Physical characteristics of the site (soil, climate, hydrology, exposure to wind, frost, sunlight, and salt spray), and how these characteristics will influence what plants will grow and where they should be placed.
• Topography and aspect of the area to be planted. Is it steep or flat, where are you getting the most sun/shade.
• The size of the area to be planted. You may like to break the project into stages.
• The presence of animal pests and weeds.
• Spacing between each plant, e.g. 1m spacing.
• Obtaining appropriate sized plants that will cope with local conditions, e.g. PB2 - PB5.
• The number and what kinds of plants you will need. Note the special conditions in section 6.
• Timing for planting is April - July unless it's a wetland, then Feb - March when water table is lowest.
• Ongoing maintenance including weed/pest control, replacement plantings etc.
• Provision of food for native birds, insects and lizards. Consider what plants will attract native wildlife.
• A planting density of 1m centres is recommended for most colonising species, although for larger and more robust colonising species and forest diversity species (e.g. flax, manuka, kanuka, mahoe, karaka, puriri, kahikatea) 1.5 m centres is acceptable. If planting rush and sedge species or wetland species, or if planting unstable surfaces (e.g. eroding stream banks and steep inclines) this should be reduced to 0.5 - 0.7m centres. Planting close together will encourage a faster canopy closure that will shade out grass and weeds and provide protection for the plants. It may seem costly at the beginning but it will save time and money on post planting maintenance.
• Plant sizes should ideally be between PB3 and PB5. Smaller sized plants may be used and root trainers are often used for wetland planting. However smaller plants are slower to establish and require a higher degree of maintenance despite seeming the more economical option. Use of root trainer plants is not recommended if you have limited capacity for site maintenance.
• You may like to plant with a slow release fertiliser tablet. The fertiliser should be placed in the hole and covered with approximately 25mm of soil before placing the plant in the hole. This is to prevent root burn to the plant.
• You should seek to achieve a survival rate of 85% to successfully form a canopy cover.
• Planting of both sides of streams is necessary to achieve the best environmental outcome. However this may not always be possible if the stream acts as the property boundary. If this is the case you may like to approach your neighbour to see if they are interested in fencing their stream and that they can apply for help to do this through the EIF.

Fencing

Applications for fencing must use a substantial wire fence of 7 or 8 wires properly strained unless an alternative is better suited to the local conditions or land management circumstances. In such cases, an explanation is required and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Riparian fencing should be positioned a minimum of 10m away from the stream following the topography and contours.

Fencing can be purchased for $15 - $20 per metre including labour and materials. This price is for 7 or 8 wire post and batten fencing and depends on the number of angles, strainers and the contour of the land. We recommend that you refer to the Yellow and White Pages to find a fencing contractor in your local area.

Covenanting (permanent legal protection of an area)

The ARC is very supportive of the permanent protection of natural areas and cultural heritage sites through legal covenanting with agencies such as Queen Elizabeth II National Trust - (QEII). A covenant is a legal agreement registered against the title of a property that protects a specified area or feature. It ensures that no-one in the future can damage or destroy the area you have protected.

For more information contact a Natural Heritage staff member at the ARC. Covenanting areas is not a requirement of EIF funding but is encouraged.