Where: The entrance to Roy Clements Treeway behind Noel Leemings, Wagner Place Megacentre, St Lukes.

What to Bring: Sunhat, Sunblock, Raincoat, Water Bottle, Gardening Gloves and a Spade if you have them.
For further information contact: Selene@morphum.com Selene (09) 377 9779.

Download the Roy Clements planting flyer and invite your friends.

We had a slow start on the wetland. But looking south to the newly planted “habitat area” with a few meagre young native grasses planted in lawn - a group of blackbirds was hard at work. They kept me entertained for half an hour - and if the people in the brick apartments wondered who was standing under the trees looking their way with binoculars, none of them came out to find out.

A solitary chaffinch flew by, and the number of blackbirds in the open habitat area increasd to 6. A loan grey seagull wheeled overhead. A large cat slowly walked from the weir to Kerr Taylor reserve, staying dry using the boardwalk as a shelter from the rain.

With 10 minutes to go I heard singing - then louder; and a man and woman came walking south along the boardwalk in the misty rain, singing a waiata. A magical close out to the hour.

Thanks Eden Albert Community Board and Te Ngahere for the recent historic plantings of the Kerr Taylor reserve. The blackbirds certainly spent the time in the habitat area. Perhaps next year our pukeko, ducks or shags will show up in the wetland to be counted.

Our presentation is linked  click here (3Mb pdf), including pictures of the 1 June storm which covered the board walk with storm and waste water overflow. STEPS was very interested to discover that the Environment Court had made a ruling in December 2009 declaring St Lukes a town centre, with input from ARC and ACC and despite lack of infrastructure.   All hearings submissions and evidence have been scanned by the council and placed here (click on Agenda Attachments) http://www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/council/members/hearings/a201006140930.asp

Despite the challenging conditions (ranging from impenetrable scoria to ankle-deep mud), we managed to get over 800 plants into the ground. We decided on a more diverse species mix to enhance last year’s plantings. Species included wet-loving plants such as Carex lessoniana, giant umbrella sedge, swamp maire, and toetoe to terrestrial shrubland and forest species such as whau, wineberry, kowhai, lemonwood, and taraire. In addition, two species of threatened fern (Todea barbara and Cyclosorus interruptus), one species of threatened sedge (Baumea complanata), and swamp maire and Coprosma propinqua (both uncommon in the Auckland Region) now have new homes in the wetland.

Around 30 volunteers, including people from the Rasheed Memorial Trust, turned up to help on the day - so special thanks to them and the other volunteers.  Thanks also to David Bowden from Auckland City Council for funding and helping to organise this event.

We have found a BIG SPADE  - if anyone lost a spade, please email STEPS via this website.

Over the past few years STEPS and MAGS have worked very well together - and only 2 weeks ago STEPS planted the stream side in the school grounds near the boarding school. So STEPS was shocked when MAGS started cutting down some old and stately trees along its Eastern Boundary with the Reserve. MAGS had also blocked the path through to the school farm - apparently for some leaky building site works.

STEPS held two meetings with MAGS over a 12 month period. At the first the school representative denied any knowledge when questioned about school plans regarding the path. In the past week it appears that Head Master Dale Burden has left instructions that the fence is to be finished during his absence in Europe on a fellowship; and that the path to the farm will not be reopened.

The work done by MAGS to help build and plant a boardwalk along the creek, and to fence off and protect the upper tributary which is on their farm is very good. But now they run the risk of severing for all time the links between the two tributaries; and the pedestrian links between Mt Albert and Sandringham. The trees are already gone (see photos attached).

ACTION: If you do not agree with this - please contact STEPS (via this website) or MAGS Headmaster - mailto:dperry@mags.school.nz and cc: STEPS.

la4-kerr-taylor-tree-planting-as-amended-for-scoping

Boundary trees before felling

Boundary trees now

Any time you can spare is always welcome.

Planting Day June 20th Flyer

STEPS Three Kings Quarry Submission

Watercare’s & Metrowater’s submissions

We were thrilled to have continuing care from Roy Clements, Wai Care, Metrowater, Morphum and other supporters - our thanks to all. Our next planting is on 20 June - see notice below.

Also we will be continue with planting of the area with MAGS students on June 18th and the maintenance contractor All Drains, will be planting the inaccessible areas and under the pine trees etc soon.

Flooding in wetland

Wetland flooded

Boardwalk under water

Meola Creek submerges boardwalk

See the stress Meola Creek is under when it rains and how the wetland and boardwalk are affected.