June 2025 - Newsletter
Tēnā koutou Catchment members,
Here’s your June newsletter. As always we appreciate your continued support and we would like to thank all those who have paid the annual subscription, thank you for joining us for another year.
Pest Audit
As many of you know, a range of invasive weeds and pests currently impact the West Waikato coastal catchment.
While many landowners and a variety of agencies (e.g. Waikato Regional Council) have previously been engaged in weed and pest management, our current action is targeted at specific species/sites. WWCC is focussed on sustainable growth and environmental care.
We aim to unite landowners, families, and locals through knowledge, resource sharing, and teamwork. Together, we seek to look after our environment and each other, making a difference that lasts.
Inspiring a thriving and resilient community to come together, empowering positive social and environmental change.
We have started with an initial animal pest presence survey of invasive animal pest species at two representative sub-catchments; the lower Waimai and Waikaretu Valleys of approximately 3,000ha each.
The results were clear, we have a problem.
Our possum numbers are 5x over Ospri target, spreading disease and threatening our trees.
Our feral cat numbers are in the ‘very high’ range, spreading toxoplasmosis to sheep and into waterways impacting Maui dolphin.
Images captured from audit
Pest Control Information Day
To hear more about the audit results we are very excited to invite you to our Pest Control Information Day on Wednesday 25 June.
What did the Waimai and Waikaretu pest surveys find?
What are the implications?
What options are available for the WWCC Community to best deal with these issues?
Want to tackle pests on your farm or block? Come & be part of the conversation…..
Wildlife experts Cam Speedy Wildlife Biologist and Jason Day from callofthewild.co.nz are hosting a local community day to share the results from our recent pest audits in the Waimai and Waikaretu valleys. They’ll break down what pests we found and offer practical tips for pest control on your farm or lifestyle block. David Crimp NZ Autotraps Ltd will bring an AT220 trap and he will run through the trap and basic installation.
Please come along to learn and ask questions about all things pest control.
Two sessions:
Nikau Café, Waikaretu – Wed 25 June, 9–11am
Te Akau Complex – Wed 25 June, 1–3pm
Please RSVP register on our website under events. We are looking forward to seeing you there.
Community Tree Planting Days
Join us for a hands-on environmental day with Waikato Regional Council and Enviroschools. Open to all! These days will include tamariki from Waingaro, Te Akau and Waikaretu Schools.
Te Akau Waingaro Community Complex
Wednesday 23 July (with 30 July as the rain date).
9:30am – 12:30pm
Nikau Cafe
Friday 1 August (with 8 August as the rain date).
9:30am – 12:30pm
Grow knowledge. Grow community. Grow native forests.
For the students this tree planting trip is more than just digging holes! It's an opportunity to connect learning with real-world environmental action.
Identify native trees in English, Te reo Māori, and by their scientific names
Learn about the ideal growing conditions for various native species
Understand why tree planting matters for ecosystems, biodiversity, and our communities
Students will also get the chance to explore the science behind stream health by
Testing water clarity, temperature, and pH
Identifying local macroinvertebrates as indicators of stream health
Exploring how tree planting improves freshwater ecosystems
This event links directly to curriculum areas in Science, Geography, and Tikanga Māori, while encouraging kaitiakitanga and community involvement.
Come plant the seeds of knowledge—and the trees of tomorrow!
Registrations are now open, this is a great opportunity for community planting of native trees, we would love your support please. Please RSVP register on our website under events.
Waste and Recycling update
Thanks to everyone who completed our recent waste survey — your input helped shape a formal submission to Waikato District Council and we’re pleased to share some progress:
Monthly recycling drop-off: WDC has confirmed a contractor is ready to start household recycling collection in Te Akau. We’re still waiting on the first collection date, and we’ll share it as soon as it’s confirmed.
Scrap Metal Recycling: WDC has asked us to suggest 1–2 drop-off sites. We’ve proposed Te Akau School and Waikaretu School. A date and location are still to be confirmed, but all proceeds from the scrap metal collection will go directly to support the work of the West Waikato Coastal Catchment Group.
Congratulations Robyn!
A big congratulations to our WWCC Manager, Robyn Bregmen, on her recent appointment as a Justice of the Peace. This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to Robyn’s ongoing commitment to serving our community.
Heoi anō tāku mō nāianei, That’s all for now,
From the WWCC team, Sandra, Robyn and Sarah