Pukemataī – new covenant in Wainui 

Nestled on the coast near Wainui settlement is a rare area of original coastal Banks Peninsula native  forest. Nationally this ecosystem is regarded as acutely threatened because less than 10% of it remains. The general area it connects to, running from Akaroa Harbour up to Carews Peak and over to the Peraki catchment has long been recognised for its outstanding ecological values. 

Fortunately, several motivated landowners in the area have formally protected adjoining pieces which connect together in a virtually - contiguous ki uta ki tai or ‘Summit to Sea’ path, stretching all the way up to DOC’s Carews Peak Reserve. There is also a second impressive swathe just northward protecting the Jubilee catchment. Both collections protect key streams and multiple tributaries feeding them. Amongst the many fascinating creatures found in them, some stand out due to their Nationally Threatened and/or endemic status (meaning they occur naturally here and nowhere else in the world); long finn eel, kaoro (Galaxias brevipinnis), blue gilled bully, net-winged midge, and two unusual caddis and mayfly species which are endemic to Banks Peninsula. There are some really unusual plant species found here too.  Carews is the only known location on Banks Peninsula for sphagnum moss. Banks Peninsula fork fern is present which is Nationally Critical and also endemic to Banks Peninsula. Other notable plants are white mistletoe Tupeia antarctica, sand coprosma and Banks Peninsula sun hebe. Over 45 plant species have been recorded in the catchment that are uncommon to rare and include five species of the mesmerising filmy fern family. 

Highly committed landowners Shaun and Claire Maloney purchased their stunning 40ha block ‘Pukemataī’ in the lower catchment overlooking  the coast in 2022 which forms part of this valuable mosaic and have worked with the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust over the last two years to place a covenant in perpetuity over it to safeguard the area forever. Demonstrating wonderful long term vision the family have formed a trust specific to the property’s care and have a site manager, Thomas Batt,  in place to ensure ongoing success. Not only have they protected precious remnant forest gullies (housing majestic kahikatea and mataī, hence the covenant name) and younger regenerating native forest areas, they embarked on an impressive restoration journey in 2023 over the remaining open grassland areas following stock exclusion. Eco-sourced plant species include wineberry, kahikatea, lacebark, lemonwood, tōtara, kōwhai, and fivefinger. 

Fire is always a risk in young restorations and especially in open dry areas , so well thought out mitigation measures have been carefully put in place. Weed control is also vital in ensuring existing forest health and success of plantings, especially of certain pest vine weeds which can strangle emerging and planed natives. Muehlenbeckia australis can drag down and smother both young and older native trees – especially on forest edges, so some targeted control has been carried out. Wainui is a known hotspot for one of the most deleterious native forest pests, banana passionfruit vine. Control work has already begun on that plus old man’s beard and will continue as part of a long-term programme along with sycamore, another high priority target (important because it can tolerate shade under native forests and also invade open land).  

With support from Lawrence Smith, Rewild Wainui and Pest Free Banks Peninsula programmes, trapping is well under way to boost thriving ecology by controlling possums and mustelids which will really help bird diversity and abundance. Kererū, fantail and bellbirds in particular are currently enjoying fruit, nectar and insects from fuchsia, coprosmas, kaikomako, five finger and marbleleaf.  As the new plantings establish, the young kanuka stands develop and enrich through secondary forest succession, and the existing forest subcanopy and ground floor species return into balance, abundance and diversity of all forms of life will flourish. Congratulations Maloney family on your accomplishments so far. The Trust is excited to continue supporting you in this extraordinary gift to future generations.