Events

The Bluegreens group have been weeding, planting and pest trapping a riparian strip along Waitītiko Meola Creek for a number of years and have established a good cover of native vegetation. This planting session will focus on enrichment planting and getting more grasses in to stabilise the stream bank.

Where: the new Waiōrea Community Recycling Centre, 990 Gt North Rd

Parking: very limited on site. Walk or ride if you can, or park further east, opposite Western Springs Park.

Bring: sturdy closed boots, spade (if you own one), gloves, water bottle, sun hat. Tools and gloves will be provided for those who don’t have their own

Group: Bluegreens Meola Creek Restoration Project

Things are moving at a pace on this exciting project, thanks to the great work being done by Sandra and her volunteers. If you have some spare time we would love for you to join us at this special area on the ‘Oakley Inlet’, as we work to restore it.

Meet at the Waterview Park carpark, Waterbank Crescent

For more information contact Sandra 021 166 7647

Group: Ngā Ringa o Te Auaunga Friends of Oakley Creek

This month’s meeting will focus on humane predator control. In line with the goals of Predator Free 2050 Urban Ark supports groups who are trying to reduce the number of rats, possums and mustelids across inner-west Auckland. But how do we do that as humanely as possible? This month we have 4 guest speakers:

• Phil Simpson (Urban Ark) will do a refresher on humane approaches to rat trapping
• Siân Buley and Tarn Gillman (Auckland Zoo) will discuss best practice when dispatching juvenile possums found with dead mothers in traps.
• Bridget Thompson (Community Cat Coalition) will discuss their work reducing the environmental impact of cats by trapping, neutering and returning cats to the community where they were trapped.
• Shirley Waru (Community Cat Coalition) will speak from a Māori perspective regarding Te Ao Māori, what kaitiaki are and what kaitiakitanga is when looking through a Māori lens at our urban/rural environment.

We’re expecting some lively debate about challenging issues, so please come with an open mind.

When Wednesday 6 September 6.30–8.30pm

Where Gribblehirst Hub, upstairs at the Gribblehirst Community Hub in Gribblehirst Park, 5 Cabbage Tree Swamp Drive, Sandringham (see map below)

Who Group leadership. Please let us know if more than 3 are coming from your group.

Refreshments There will be snacks

Almost a year ago a bunch of keen volunteers got stuck into the weeds in Walmer Reserve. It is looking pretty good, but there is still work to do to give native plants a chance to thrive. The Pt Chev Stormwater Separation Project that has shut Walmer Rd down for weeks is nearing completion so we can finally get back into the reseve. Celeberate that by joining us on Sunday 10 September (10am-noon). Meet on the grass beside 76 Moa Road and bring gloves, spades, loppers, whatever you’ve got.

The flax in the reserve is used by the harakeke kahui weaving collective, so the whole park is a pesticide and poison-free zone. This means we’ll be removing weeds by hand. We’ll be going for:
• Arum lily
• Pampas
• Woolly nightshade
• Moth plant
• Cape ivy
There is also a fair bit of gorse and blackberry, so if you’re up for a challenge, bring your leather gloves and protective clothing.

If you’d like to let us know you are coming, sign up to our Facebook event.

Group: Pest Free Pt Chevalier

Come and help at our weeding session. We need to continue to remove privet, asparagus fern, tradescantia and any nutgrass that has shown itself.

Bring secateurs, spade and gloves. If you don’t have anything, call 027 656 7099 and we can supply.

Meet at the bridge in Lemington Reserve. All help is appreciated.

Group: Weona Lemington Coastal Forest Restoration Group

Things are moving at a pace on this exciting project, thanks to the great work being done by Sandra and her volunteers. If you have some spare time we would love for you to join us at this special area on the ‘Oakley Inlet’, as we work to restore it.

Meet at the Waterview Park carpark, Waterbank Crescent

For more information contact Sandra 021 166 7647

Group: Ngā Ringa o Te Auaunga Friends of Oakley Creek

Where are Grey Lynn’s streams? During the anniversary weekend floods they were all too visible as floodwaters inundated homes, but for most of the time they go unseen – underground or tucked away. With the accelerating effects of climate change they are likely to make there presence felt again and again.

We’ll be exploring two of these hidden awa – Ōpoutūkeha Cox’s Creek and Edgar’s Creek – looking at ongoing habitat restoration work and exploring how changes to the environment could have a positive effect on the impact of climate change, native biodiversity and community connectedness. The hīkoi will take a couple of hours, with frequent stops to hear from people who are having a positive impact on these awa.

This event is part of the Auckland Climate Festival.

When: Saturday 16 September, 10am–12.30pm. If you want to grab something to eat or drink beforehand, join us from 9am at Big Sur cafe, 432 Richmond Rd, just a few steps from the hīkoi meeting point. If the weather is fine enough we’ll be in the courtyard out back. Consider bringing your own cup if you want to imbibe while you walk.

Where: following a walking loop through Grey Lynn and Cox’s Bay

Meet: Francis Reserve, Grey Lynn. Entrance off Warnock St. Look for the Urban Ark flag

Getting there: minimise your climate impact when attending the event. Where possible, please walk, cycle, scoot or car pool. Bus stop 8087 is at the junction of Richmond Rd and Francis St, 100m from the event start and finish. It is on the #105 route between Westmere and the city centre. Plan your journey here using ‘8087’ as your destination.

Bring: sturdy shoes or boots, raincoat, water bottle, sun hat. Part of the walk (optional but worthwhile) will visit a restored wetland, so hikin gboots or similar will help keep your feet dry.

Tickets: the event is free but tickets are required. Book through Humantix.

Groups: Predator Free Grey Lynn, Manu Tīoriori I Te Uru / Western Songbird Project

Last summer, we ended up postponing almost all of our weeding due to torrential rain and cyclones! So we’re eager to get back out there early this spring. The wet conditions and relatively warm winter, means the weeds are thriving!

We’ll be tackling the wattle, gorse along the side wall, and freeing any plants from morning glory as our priorities and we’d love your help

What you need to know:

• Meet at 10am this Sunday at the top entrance (cnr the Bullock Track and Old Mill Road click for google maps location)
• Duration 90min
• Sturdy footwear essential, gumboots recommended
• Long sleeves recommended
• Bring water, a sun hat and sunscreen
• Bring pruning shears or loppers and gloves if you have them (we also have a supply so don’t worry if you don’t)

Warning!

• The park can be muddy and slippery in places, and the track is quite degraded in other parts
• Sturdy footwear, and reasonable level of fitness is needed
• Asbestos board was located in one area of the park a few years back, because of this part of our health and safety plan is to not disturb the soil. Therefore we do not dig on the site, so no spades or forks. We will cover this in our H&S briefing.

Please [Enable JavaScript to view protected content] if you hope to come along, as it’s great to get an idea for numbers.

Group: Wai-a-te-Ao – F&B Bullock Track Restoration Project

Things are moving at a pace on this exciting project, thanks to the great work being done by Sandra and her volunteers. If you have some spare time we would love for you to join us at this special area on the ‘Oakley Inlet’, as we work to restore it.

Meet at the Waterview Park carpark, Waterbank Crescent

For more information contact Sandra 021 166 7647

Group: Ngā Ringa o Te Auaunga Friends of Oakley Creek

Gnarled trees trunks twist up out of a matrix of boulders from the original Mt Eden Lava flow at this unique location. Join Phil Simpson from Urban and local historian Sel Arbuckle to explore a remnant of Epsom’s critically endangered lava rock forest. Learn the history of the Withiel Thomas reserve and hear about how the Maungawhau Ecological Halo project is working with locals to protect and enhance the few remaining rock forest patches in the area.

This event is part of the Auckland Climate Festival, so we’ll also discuss ways urban forest patches are affected by changing climatic conditions and their potential for mitigating some of the impacts of climate change.


Withiel Thomas reserve, Epsom - Meet on the grass verge at 5 Withiel Drive
Book your place - To ensure attendees can fit comfortably on the track and hear the speakers, numbers will be carefully limited to the first 15 people who rsvp [Enable JavaScript to view protected content]
Bring - sturdy walking shoes, drink bottle.
We encourage you to walk, cycle or take public transport to this event.

Group: Maungawhau Ecological Halo

Things are moving at a pace on this exciting project, thanks to the great work being done by Sandra and her volunteers. If you have some spare time we would love for you to join us at this special area on the ‘Oakley Inlet’, as we work to restore it.

Meet at the Waterview Park carpark, Waterbank Crescent

For more information contact Sandra 021 166 7647

Group: Ngā Ringa o Te Auaunga Friends of Oakley Creek