Whitebait, native birds flourish in Kaiapoi thanks to targeted weeding
From local democracy reporter David Hill:
Community efforts are helping īnanga/whitebait to flourish at Kaiapoi in North Canterbury.
The sweeping wetland surrounding the Kaiapoi River is home to īnanga/whitebait and native birds like the matuku-hūrepo/Australasian bittern.
Over the last 15 years, the wetland has been steadily invaded by pest plants.
But an Environment Canterbury (ECan) led-project is attempting to set the balance back in favour of the original native plants.
“We're using targeted weeding, which means we’re leaving native undergrowth untouched and flood protection trees, where necessary, while eliminating yellow flag iris,” ECan braided river revival regional lead Greg Stanley said.
“No planting is needed as native species will flourish with space.”
Native wetland and saltmarsh communities grew beneath a canopy of planted and wilding willow trees.
Raupō, bullrush, harakeke, juncus, and carex were among the species inhabiting the area, providing sustenance and shelter for īnanga habitat.But yellow flag iris has quickly spread through the berm habitats, displacing wetland communities.
The iris infestation out competed native plants, threatening the habitat that īnanga rely on.
Without removal, the saltwater-tolerant weed was likely to outlast the willows, which were slowly dying back with saltwater intrusion and targeted removal.
“This is a really big problem,” Stanley said.
“With sea level rise, climate change, and saltwater intrusion, the conditions are moving to allow yellow flag iris to become increasingly dominant.”
Without intervention, īnanga were unlikely to survive, he said.
“Īnanga can't use yellow flag iris for laying eggs.
“The native plant species all have classic grassroots which form dense raft mats that the īnanga stick their eggs to, whereas the yellow flag iris is like a ginger root.”
Previous spawning grounds identified at the confluence of Kaiapoi River and Courtenay Stream have been increasingly choked by iris intrusion.
This has reduced the spawning ground, with little else available.
The project began in November 2021 and was now in its second season.
It was one of 23 river sites ECan was transforming throughout Waitaha/Canterbury.
The Regionwide Berm Transition Project was part-funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment's Kānoa – Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit.
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Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
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Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
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