News ~ Pānui

Some valleys and steep gullies beyond the shores of Ōhiwa Harbour are like hidden taonga many of us have no idea they exist. They contain remnants of almost original bush offering habitat for a diversity of trees and wildlife that is otherwise rare in the catchment. One of these treasures on the eastern side of the harbour is now protected in perpetuity under a Queen Elizabeth II National Trust (known as QE II) covenant. The current landowner, Coral Malcolm, had wanted to set

As thousands more native trees and shrubs are planted again this winter a green belt around Ōhiwa Harbour is becoming a growing reality. Ongoing control of rodents and invasive plants is an important part of this work. This post describes some of the recent, amazing work of the Ōhiwa Harbour community, especially the continuous efforts of the many care groups. The Nukuhou Saltmarsh Care Group, led by Stuart and Margaret Slade, has been busy as usual, along the Nukuhou saltm

A population of kiwi have been confirmed to call the hills and gullies above the eastern Ōhiwa Harbour their home. Over three crisp nights in June, 21 volunteers braved the cold to assist with a kiwi listening survey on the Ōhiwa headland, the ridge that runs from Ōhiwa beach to Ruatuna Road. Mercury, Venus, Jupiter and the crescent moon aligned and made the survey coordinated by the Ōhiwa Headland Sanctuary Trust such a beautiful experience. The great news is that there was

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa has requested a further 2-year closure over an area within Ōhiwa Harbour to the harvest of mussels, under section 186A of the Fisheries Act 1996. The existing closure, Te rāhui kuku ki tua o Kanawa, for the green lipped mussel beds along the Ōhope Spit ends in November this year. The purpose of extending the rāhui is to allow juvenile mussels the opportunity to grow to maturity in the proposed closure area, around 100,000 square metres along about 650 m

August heralds the end of winter. August is also the time to start catching new queen wasps as they emerge from hibernation. We’re talking German and common wasps, Vespula wasps, to be more precise. They’re the yellow and black striped chunky ones that have awful stings. Vespula wasp queen. Photo: Nikki Slade-Robinson Wasp control is vital for protecting our native species, and the bee industry. These wasps can kill native birds and insects. They eat the food that our native

The Hiwarau Wetland Restoration & Inanga Spawning Area Project is set to receive another boost of plants this June. Everyone is welcome to join the Nukuhou Saltmarsh Care Group to plant 600-700 plants on 4 June and 11 June. Oxbow wetland, Wainui. May 2026. Image: BOPRC Oxbow wetland, Wainui, 2025 – before planting began. Image: BOPRC The collaborative project of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Hiwarau C Trustees and adjacent landowners was started last year to restore a

It is a sure sign that autumn is here and winter is coming when the Eastern bar-tailed godwits, or kuaka, leave Ōhiwa Harbour. Weeks before they are off to their breeding grounds in Alaska, it is beautiful to watch the flocks of hundreds rising up and down in perfect harmony over the harbour. Bar-tailed godwit. Image: Rod Hay Their phenomenal, long-distance, non-stop flight from Alaska to New Zealand has attracted the curiosity of scientists and bird enthusiasts for many year

About ten kilometres as the crow flies from the shore of Ōhiwa Harbour lies Nukuhou North School. The Nukuhou stream, known locally as Ruakani awa, flows gently behind the school’s sports field. Other nearby landmarks are Pukenuioraho maunga (hill); the Waimana Valley and Te Urewera are also within sight. In years 0 to 8 about 60 children attend the small, rural, full primary school, located midway between Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki on State Highway 2. Many of the school’s tamarik

Looking after Ōhiwa Harbour’s precious shellfish is at the heart of kaitiaki around the harbour. This summer volunteers of the Upokorehe iwi Environmental Project and local Fisheries officers had a strong presence on the eastern side making sure people understood, and stuck to the rules: 50 mussels per person and 150 pipi per person – per day. The volunteer activity on the eastern side perfectly complemented the rāhui on mussel or kuku take still in place on the western side,