Bulldozers moved in to start clearing pampas and other weeds from the site of the 22 hectare Whakapoukorero wetland, in Maketu, last week.

Weed removal work to improve site access is expected to be completed by the end of June. Following that, water levels and flows will be assessed to identify what changes are needed to create a more natural hydrological regime.

Machinery starts restoring the swamp. Picture: Supplied.

Project Manager Terry Tapsell says archaeological assessments have been done and monitoring points will be set up throughout the restoration area, to track progress and changes over time.

'We've got more weed control planned for this year and we'll start planting the cleared areas with native plants. That work will be ongoing for the next few years. Next year we'll start pest animal control and we'll have some earthworks to do to improve water flows,” says Terry.

Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor Arapeta Tahana says it is great to be part of a project involving so many people in the community working together on Maori-owned land.

'Together with community volunteers, Te Arawa Lakes Trust landowners will be investing many hours into managing and doing the work on the ground over the next five years,” says Arapeta. 'Bay of Plenty Regional Council is investing more than $100,000 into the project through our Biodiversity Management Programme, and Western Bay of Plenty District Council are contributing $14,000.”

Te Arawa Lakes Trust landowners and representatives from the two councils attended an opening ceremony at the site this week.

Lakes Trust representative Te Waata Cribb says the 22 hectare wetland is a remnant of the once 6500ha Kawa swamp that covered the flood plain around Maketu.

'Before it was drained for farming, our tupuna relied on the swamp for food, trade and building materials,” says Te Waata. 'It was a place that taonga like tuna (eels) and matuku (Australasian bittern) could thrive in.”