The Cooks Beachcare Group consists of residents and ratepayers working in partnership with local Government agencies to protect valuable dunes at the western end of this Mercury Bay beach (~1.3 km). The group aims to replace invasive exotic weeds with naturally occurring native plants in consultation with local residents and without significantly restricting views or beach access. The land is esplanade reserve, managed by Thames Coromandel District Council (TCDC) who assist as required. Following site preparation, native plants, such as, pingao and knobby club rush are planted to help protect the dunes and repair storm damage. These native plants also support nesting sites of NZ Dotteral and Variable Oystercatcher, and provide refuge for lizards and insects such as the coastal copper butterfly. Check out the group at www.cooksbeachcare.org.nz
The giant kokopu (Galaxias argenteus) is a threatened species of the genusGalaxias, found only in New Zealand. It can reach up to 58cm in length and 2.7kg in weight, making it the largest species in the family Galaxiidae. Adult giant kokopu are found in freshwater, primarily near the coast and in slow -flowing streams, wetlands, lakes and lagoons. As typical of galaxiids from New Zealand, the eggs develop in semi-dry conditions on land for a few weeks and are then flooded by rising water. The best hatch rates for the eggs are in freshwater at a temperature of about 10C. Most populations have a life cycle that involves larvae going to sea after hatching and returning about four months later as small juveniles, 4.5–5cm. Juvenile giant kokopu form a part of the annual whitebait catch.
The Weedbusters website is a great resource and “go to place” for checking out which plants are weeds and how to control them. Weedbusters is about working together to stop weedy plants taking over New Zealand's amazing natural areas. Weedy plants are one of the greatest threats to New Zealand’s parks, reserves, coasts, bush remnants, wetlands and alpine areas. Many of these weeds are ornamental plants that have ‘jumped the fence’ from gardens and gone wild. It costs councils, government departments and private landowners millions of dollars, and volunteers and community groups thousands of unpaid hours, to control these weeds every year. Check out the website and see what you can do to help stop the spread of these invasive plants - you can make a big difference!
Welcome to the Waikato Biodiversity Forum
The Waikato Biodiversity Forum is a partnership between research and management agencies, iwi groups, private landowners, communities and projects in relation to native biodiversity in the Waikato region of New Zealand.
The Forum's region of interest extends down to the northern slopes of the Tongariro National Park, across to Mokau on the west coast and up to just north of Port Waikato and includes the Coromandel Peninsula and land west of the Kaimais.
For information about the Forum click on About Us page or phone 0800 BIODIV (246348)
