Southland Ecological Restoration Network

Southland Ecological Restoration Network

A Network of Southland Community Conservation Projects

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Project

January • Home Creek

Kowhai Reach, Kauana

Location:
Kauana
Region:
Central Southland
District:
SDC
Commenced:
2000
Access:
Open
Area (ha):
15
Contact:
Jesse Bythell
Email:
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Website:
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Description

Riparian kowhai treeland restoration, including threatened plant species establishment, driven by the local community and Limehills School. Picnic area and track.

Historic involvement

Southland Community Nursery

Current involvement

Landowners & QE II covenantors, QEII, Limehills School, SDC.

2025 Limehills School student planting a broadleaf.
2025 A new sign for the new car park area.
2025 Kowhai Reach new plantings in extension area.
2025 April. Limehills School students undertake a planting day.
2025 April. Limehills School students planting in extended area near carpark.
2025 April.
2025 April Wool mats help to suppress grass growth.
2025 April
2025 April. A battery powered auger helps making holes for plants an easy task.
2025 April. Limehills School students hearing about Kowhai Reach.
Limehills School Kowhai Reach Committee, which oversees planning and planting at the picnic area, as well as organising visits by the school and community.
Conservation Week 2006 - tussock planting, with assistance from Woody Weed.
2024 October. A drone photo shows the beauty of this stretch of riparian kowhai.
Limehills School pupils educating visitors to Kowhai Reach about animal pests.
A carpark, picnic area, track and interpretation panels make this a good place to visit.
Photopoints (ppt) show the changes. Ppt 1 2004. Picnic area.
2007.
Olearia hectorii admired by Brian Rance, DoC botanist, after 5 years from planting. 2005.
Louise Shand Wilson amid the 2000 plantings. Fertile soils and maintenance give good results. 2008.
Conservation Week 2008 Limehills School pupils undertaking water studies which will go on the EMAP website.
Environment Southland Land Sustainability Officers, Gary Morgan and Nathan Cruickshank, help Limehills School pupils undertake further riparian plantings at Kowhai Reach. October, 2010.
Entrance to Kowhai Reach track, now a tunnel. Olearia lineata on left of gate. July 2022
2024 Rip-rap rock protection on outside of bend after loss of bank.
2025 February. Limehills School students undertake plantings around new car park area.
Project Directory

Other projects in Central Southland

  • AB Lime, Motu Ngahere
  • Castle Downs (Dipton) Wetlands
  • David Milligan Park, Dipton
  • Forest Hill Scenic Reserve
  • Heatherlea, East Limehills
  • Ivy Russell Reserve, Winton
  • Lumsden Creek Restoration
  • Sherwood Forest, Tussock Creek
  • Tū Ake Whakahou - Myross Bush

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Our Supporters

Invercargill City Council Environment Southland Department of Conservation Forest and Bird Southland Community Nursery
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