Native tree planting on Waipu Cycleway and Walkway

25 July, 2022
PIROA-BRYNDERWYNS LANDCARE GROUP

Looking for something to do on the weekend? If you fancy a nice walk or bike ride head to the Waipu Cycleway and Walkway, a 9km trail from Waipu Village to Waipu Cove providing safe and accessible biking and walking for a wide range of users including students, locals, healthy lifestylers, and visitors to the coastal community.

Thanks goes to the locals and businesses who have supported the building of this community asset and to Piroa-Brynderwyns Landcare and Weed Action who have teamed up with the Cycleway Group to assist with volunteers, advice and materials. For further information on the cycleway trail visit the website at waipucycleway.com.

Want to get your hands dirty?
Keen on helping with a planting bee Sunday July 31? Come and join this years native tree planting on the Waipu Cycleway and Walkway. Donated by the community, 2500 native trees have already been planted. This years number will bring the total to almost 3500. Organisers are aiming to increase the density of the planting, to make a small extension of the wetland, and plant pohutukawa trees.

Survival of plants has been good given the challenging conditions of low annual rainfall, strong salt-laden northerly winds, and dominating kikuyu grass.

“It takes us longer to do the ground preparation and lay out the plants than it takes to plant them,” laughs cycleway committee member Ann Neill. “But it's so rewarding seeing locals, young and old, turn up with a spade and a sense of contributing to something really special; it is bigger than any of us on our own and good for the planet. We remain positive that locals will champion this community asset and want to support its completion.”

Planting bee details
Keen helpers will meet at Tahamoana, 566 Cove Rd, Waipu, at 9am Sunday July 31. Parking is available onsite. Planting will likely take about two hours, finishing with a cuppa and baking. Bring a planting spade, gardening gloves, wheelbarrow (if you have one), and dress for the weather. Community support for planting has been tremendous with over 120 people turning out over the past two years. For further information or to donate trees for planting contact Ann on 027 432 1833.

Waipu Cycleway and Walkway offers a 9km trail from Waipu Village to Waipu Cove. PHOTO/SUPPLIED