Explore articles, stories, and insights about environmental restoration projects and educational activities
A respected television personality and environmentalist stars in a film exploring the life of Wairarapa’s largest river. Ruud Kleinpaste is the show host of A River's Journey (working title), taking viewers along the Ruamāhanga River from source to sea and uncovering fascinating discoveries along the way.
Alan Wilde has a bold vision to see the entire length of the Ruamahanga River planted in native trees. His passion is evident as he points out the areas on his 14 hectare farm that he single-handedly planted in native trees.
Local archivist and historian Gareth Winter undertook a hikoi down the Ruamāhanga from the heights of the Tararua Range all the way to its outlet at Lake Onoke. Gareth continues to research the history of the Ruamāhanga and has kindly agreed to share a short precis of his much-anticipated planned book about his incredible and very personal journey along the length of the river.
Our rural landscapes are riddled with hidden gems that most of us never get a chance to stumble upon. The Taumata Oxbow Lake, which is close to the confluence of the Ruamahanga and Waiohine Rivers, is one of those treasured spots that we’ve had the pleasure of seeing for ourselves and more recently working on as a restoration project.
Jane Riddiford, along with her two sisters Liz and Lucy, and her husband Rod, collectively bring a passion for native plant restoration and a commitment to values-based work that brings different parts of the community together. This, and a recognition of the importance of working with children and young people in ways suited to the uncertainties of our times.
In addition to developing our own kits in collaboration with EnviroSchools Wairarapa and Pukaha Wildlife Centre, the Ruamahanga Restoration Trust also sponsors House of Science Water Analysis Kits for use by local primary schools. We recently asked House of Science Wairarapa General Manager Amanda Taylor to introduce their school science program and to explain how and where the kits are used.
Chris Morrison and Campbell McLean visit Ray Labone’s riparian forest regeneration block on the banks of the Ruamahanga River.
Nature based solutions, which slow down water, can help to reduce flood peaks.
Erin Kavanagh-Hall reports for Midweek on the Trust's new Conservation Award for Environmental Leadership.
A field trip was held at Taueru with the theme “Rural Restoration – on farm native planting, wetland restoration and thinking of the wider catchment”.
Opaki School student volunteers plant over 200 native trees in a lowland native forest block on Dunvegan Station, owned by Mike Wyeth.
In the three years since it was founded, the Ruamahanga Restoration Trust has successfully raised over $160,000 for schools and local community groups to use towards restoration plantings, predator control, water science kits, and a student conservation award prize.