A new wetland is being developed in Te Puke’s Lawrence Oliver Park to improve water quality, support wildlife, reduce flooding and add to the park’s recreational and cultural value.

The restoration project will transform 2775sq m of the park into a treatment wetland, with more than 3000 native plants and three open-water ponds.

Owned by Western Bay of Plenty District Council, the area being developed sits between the dog exercise area at the southern end of the reserve and the BMX pump track in the northwest corner and was previously leased for livestock grazing.

It has unique cultural values because it is adjacent to the pā site Te Aore, which was a camp for forces during battle at Te Tumu.

Returning this space to a wetland is an outcome of Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Reserve Management Plan, which was adopted in 2022.

Joint initiative

The project is a joint initiative with Bay of Plenty Regional Council, which maintains Managh’s Drain bordering the reserve, and the Te Ara Kahikatea Pathway Society, which previously established a 4km public pathway in the area that passes around part of Lawrence Oliver Park. Local tangata whenua, too, have contributed to the establishment of the wetland.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council reserves and facilities manager Peter Watson said the wetland would bring environmental and community benefits.

“Wetlands are important for keeping water clean, supporting wildlife and reducing the effects of floods and droughts,” Watson said.

“They are designed to prevent soil, nutrients and microbes from reaching nearby waterways that flow out to sea. They also help reduce pollution from stormwater and provide a place for native plants and birds to grow.

“This project will also provide valuable opportunities for wetland education and enhance the recreational and cultural value of the area, creating a space for the community to enjoy. It’s great to see this project getting underway, and we’re looking forward to the positive impact it will have on the reserve and everyone who uses it.”

Restoration

Bay of Plenty Regional Council principal adviser Jackson Efford, who oversaw the project on the regional council’s behalf, echoed Watson’s sentiment.

“The Kaituna plains were historically all in wetlands, so it’s good to be part of the restoration process. We’ve even had some pretty interesting finds – including one buried tree that has been radiocarbon-dated and found to be more than 3900 years old," Efford said.

“Treatment wetlands are excellent at filtering sediment and nutrients from water as it moves through the wetland. Once the wetland has had some time to establish, we should start seeing improved water quality entering Managh’s Drain.”

This wetland was made possible thanks to funding support from Western Bay of Plenty District Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, TECT and Fonterra.