Volunteers Bring Wildlife Back to Katikati's Uretara River

A dedicated group of volunteers has been quietly transforming a stretch of the Uretara River in Katikati over the past seven years, removing invasive weeds and predators to restore biodiversity along the Haiku Pathway. The project, known as Renaturing Katikati, is the urban arm of Project Parore and covers the river corridor from the state highway bridge to the swing bridge.

Coordinator Sharon Strong said the change has been remarkable, with before-and-after photos showing how species like Taiwanese Cherry and Tree Privet once dominated the riverbank before volunteers cleared them away. Around 18 volunteers maintain traps and bait stations while approximately 50 others – including students from local schools – have helped plant hundreds of native trees and remove noxious weeds.

Sightings of whitebait, flounder, kākā, kererū, ruru, fernbirds, and banded rail have delighted those involved. Volunteer Tony Salisbury, who has been part of the project for about three and a half years, said he has also spotted pheasants nesting near the water. Fellow volunteer John Strongman, who moved to Katikati seven years ago and joined the project from the outset, said he has noticed a clear increase in native species near his riverbank home.

"There really is a buzz of life down here by the river, now," said Salisbury. Strong said local residents can support the mahi by getting a backyard rat trap – anyone interested can email kea@projectparore.nz to receive one.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).