Environmental Guidelines for RuralRural Living

Kapiti & Horowhenua

R.R.P. $3.00 This publication was prepared for:

Photo credits:

Pest photographs supplied by horizons.mw and

Wellington Regional Council Others by I. Gabites unless otherwise labelled.

Illustrations:

I. Gabites

Published November 2001 Environmental GuidelinesforRuralLiving Contents 25 21 16 14 6 4 3 2 2 2 PAGE Contacts Pests Improving &creatingnaturalhabitats Waste &Water Fitting in Responding toyourlocalconditions What camebefore And soaretherules It’s changing It’s yourland,but. in Horowhenua Kapiti & systems. based ondesigningaroundnatural look good councils, whowantourruralarea toboth has thesupportoflocalandregional through thesitedevelopmentprocess. It options andadvicewhichmighthelpyou This guideoffersarangeofideas, quality oflife. outcome fortheland-andthusyour your dollar,andthebestlongterm you’ll wanttogetthebestreturnson enhance anexistingpropertyit’slikely change theexistingland-useorsimply If you’reabouttodevelopanewsection, (or maynot)beahealthyplace. may (ornot)lookgood,which collectively createanenvironmentwhich choice, butweshareitwithothersand experiment, quiet.Itmaybeapersonal landforms, graciousvistas,freedomto Rural life.It’saboutspace,natural and be ahealthyplaceandis

PAGE 1 PAGE 2 It’s YourLand,but. effects, literally. do onyourpropertywillhavefar-reaching water mustbemanagedcollectively. Whatyou mean thatpollutionhazardsandavailabilityof connections ofthewater-tableinduneland communal effort.Forexample,theartesian particularly vulnerableresourcesrequiresa In KapitiandHorowhenuathehealthofsome need foraboreatall. Careful designmight,forexample,avoidthe also influencehowyoudesignyourproperty. (water, soil,airetc)inasustainablewaycan The expenseofmanagingyourresources bore. affecting thewatertable,oryourneighbour’s homework requiredtoshowthatyouwon’tbe you wanttoputdownaboremustdothe the environmentcansustainit.Forexample,if be detrimentalfortheenvironmentandthat required toshowthatthedevelopmentwillnot Anyone wantingtodevelopresourcesis environments. and sustainableintheKapiti-Horowhenua Plans setthe‘baselines’forwhatisacceptable healthy ecosystems.DistrictandRegional not degradeit,orundulylimitthescopefor clear signalthatwhatwedowiththelandmust The ResourceManagementAct(1991)givesa District andRegionalPlans. the widercommunityandexpressedin have responsibilitiesthataredeterminedby You ownyourpatchofparadisebutyoualso design andplanning. recognise thevariousaspectsof ‘sound’ rural into theirlocalknowledgeandhelp you knowledge base-buttoencourage youtotap of specialistsorthetangatawhenua This guideisnotmeanttoreplacetheadvice importance? accidentally degradingareasofhistorical values anddesignopportunities,or out ofyoursitewithoutcompromisingnatural detrimental impact.Howdoyougetthemost parts totreasure,andhowcreatetheleast difficult torecognisewhicharetheimportant When youmoveintoanewareaitcanbe areas ordegradefishspawninggrounds. destroy birdnestingsites,disturbroosting expose asitetowind.Humanactivitiesmay lost withearthworks,fellinglargetreesmay demand mayexceedsupply,topsoilbe the environmentthatsustainsusall.Water Intensification oflandusewillclearlyimpacton enhanced. elements well plannedanddesigned,thosespecial intangible atall.Ifthechanginglandscapeis that ‘countryfeel’-donothavetobe Those intangiblesofspace,views,privacy- original reasonsforlivinginthecountry. sometimes inwayswhichundermineour The landscapeconstantlychangesbut paddock, orgardenwheretherewasscrub. trees, perhapswoodlotswheretherewasa more intensepatternsofhedgingandshelter Subdivision generallymeansmorebuildings, It’s Changing can be protectedandeven not bepublicallyknown. and Horowhenua,manymorewhichmay There aremanyknownsitesincoastalKapiti approval ifyouaffectanyarchaeologicalsites. archaeological sites registered historicplacesandknown be contactedforinformationonits The NewZealandHistoricPlacesTrustshould those thatgeneratedust,odour,ornoise. pig farming,roadsidestalls,forestry,and also addressactivitieslikehomeoccupations, planting (shelterbeltsandforestry).Therules vegetation clearance,heritagefeaturesand address thingslikebuildings,roads/driveways, from DistrictCouncils.Therulesthatapply goes ontopoftheland)mayrequireaconsent Land usesanddevelopments So whatarethekeyruleareas? costly consentprocess. surprise, requiringamajorrethinkandmore firm planssothattherulesdon’tcomeasa authorities abouttherulesbeforeyouhave contemplating anydevelopmentconsultthe not of whattolookoutfor.Thesecommentsare Regional Planrules.Belowareafewpointers It isessentialyouknowaboutDistrictand And soaretherules military presence. gold miningortheremainsofamissionary or shipwrecks, evidenceofwhaling, trading, terraces, storagepitsor middens; include: Maoripa,cultivationareas, gardens, with pre-1900humanactivity. Theymay Archaeological Sitesareplacesassociated asubstitutefortherules.Ifyouare . Youwillneedtheir (i.e.what the guidelines. Regional Councilscanbefoundatthebackof The contactdetailsfortheDistrictand soil, andvegetationdisturbance. tracking, anydisturbanceoflargequantities the soilrules.Therulesapplytoroadingand Both RegionalandDistrictCouncilsadminister any erosionpronearea,requiresconsent. Soil disturbance also coverdischargestoair(e.g.spraydrift). and effluentdisposalfromdairysheds.THey agricultural contaminantssuchasbyoffalpits, landfills, dumpsandtips,disposalof greywater andstormwater,developmentof (but arenotlimitedto)thedisposaltolandof Councils administertheserules.Theyinclude consent atcertainthresholds.Regional Discharge ofcontaminants discharging contaminantsintowater. in awatercourse,erosioncontrol,or dams, buildingover,culverting,weirsorfords course ofwater(saydivertingastream), irrigation, ordomesticsupply),changingthe groundwater orawatercourse(sayfor are notlimitedto)extractingwaterfrom water rules.Therulesthatapplyinclude(but thresholds. RegionalCouncilsadministerthe resources Water use,oreffectsonwater , mayrequireaconsentatcertain onalargescale,andwithin mayrequirea What camebefore. wetland linkedinterdunallakes. further inland.Networksof forest-clad dunesandswamps wetlands behindandolder, Smooth spinifex-cladforedunes, matter metres deepinorganic . .theregionwas25-35 on thelowlands hills; tawa,totara,titoki maire, rewarewainthe matai, hinau,tawa, Canopy trees:mostly and lowlandswamps. and pukateaingullies rimu inthehills;kahikatea Emergent trees:rataand lowland areas. Deep forestsoilsin lower down. hills; kohekohe,mahoe, mostly kamahiinthe Subcanopy trees: much ofthislandhassincerevertedtobush. farmland wasbrokeninbyreturnedservicemenbut forested hillcountry.AfterWorldWarIImarginal continued tosupplytimberfromthemoreremote country ,forgrazing.Duringthedepressionyearsmills meat exportsgaveimpetustoalsoclearingthehill refrigeration in1882andthesubsequentincrease although areasofswampstillremained.Theadvent Forest hadbeenclearedfromthelowlandsby1900, ravaged theflaxlandsofManawatu in1920 to thedemiseofflaxindustry whendisease wetlands thatkeptflaxhealthy.Thiscontributed Drainage preventedtheperiodicfloodingof conversion ofallswampylandto pasture. Since thentherehasbeenlittle topreventthe . G.Leslie Adkin collection, MONZTPT, B.029138 leached away. vegetation andtheirsoils dunes beyondstrippedof and peatshrinking,older foredunes, wetlandsdrained Steep marramgrass-clad although manyaregrazed. vigorous kohekohecanopy, are somediscretepatchesof temperate footslopes,there forest. Lower,inthe felling orsingletierplantation hills followingclearanceor patchy reversiononsteep Life onthehillsnowcomprises and now. Tasman Sea. but muchoftheoriginaltopsoilisnowin Shallow grasslandsoilsinlowlandareas horticultural plantations. and seasonal trees, grazedwoodlots reduced toindividual on thelowlandsis The densityofplantlife

PAGE 3 PAGE 4 how tosustainably developyoursite. gives youastartingpointtounderstanding we canmapthedomains(seeFigure 1)which By assessingthesekindsofecological factors is eitherstonyorsilty. influential ongrowththanwhethertheground of gorgesandalongriverbedscanbemore Similarly, thelackoffrostwhereairflowsout climatic regime. to floodplainsilts,evenunderthesame substrate onecosystemprocessescompared example, betweentheinfluenceofasandy factors. Thereisadistinctdifference,for ecological factorswhichmayoverrideother E the domain. variations betweenthehillsandgullieswithin set offactors,eventhoughtherewillbe patterns oflifearerespondingtothisunique and naturalprocesses.Withineachdomainthe similar climate,seasonalextremes,substrates environments withinaregionwhichshare ‘domains’ whicharethe we havepreparedamapofecological suited tofulfiltherequiredfunction.Toassist, the areaandaknowledgeofplantsbest planting. Buteventhisrequiresaknowledgeof can beimprovedwithcarefullyplanned At thesimplestlevelofdesign,anyproperty effective way. the keytopreparingforfutureinacost- seasonal fluctuationsandnaturaldiversityis Understanding environmentaltolerances, fix problemsandmendmistakes. It costsalottofightnature. Responding toyourLocalConditions ach domaintendstohaveparticular distinctive Severesaltbelt Setting theScene frost. Natural vegetationistolerantof drought and flood processesandwind-derived silt(loess). summer drought.Landformsare shapedby and arerelativelyfertile,butall proneto SE storms.Soilsarestonyorsiltandclayrich towards thecoastbutvulnerabletodamaging seasonal rainfall,lightfrosts,islesswindythan Lowland terraces dominated bypeatywetsoils. Manawatu Riverfloodplain,thelandis from dryingwinds)isimportant.Aroundthe infertility andfrost.Aspect(andprotection vegetation istolerantofwind,drought, water-table isanimportantfeature.Natural topsoils. Connectivityofwetlandsviathe nutrient sandswiththin,readilyleached and filled);deepmeanderingstreams;low dependant backswamps(manynowdrained dependant wetlands);peaty,water-table dunes, sandflats(withperched,rain- not adominantfactor.Thisisanareaofstable Inland dunes and drought. vegetation isadaptedtosalt,windinfertility has exposedthewatertable.Natural often hardflatpans,orswamps,wherewind stream-mouths. Behindtheforedunethereare deep meanderingstreams;estuariesatlarger nutrient sandandmobile,youngdunes breezes, andlightfrosts.Itisanareaoflow steady prevailingN-NWwindsandsea salt burn,year-roundrainshadow,strongbut Volcanic lowlandterraces Sameclimateas(1)butsaltis Thisdomaine Thisdomainexperiences xperiences is a ashes. subset withsoilsthatarerichinvolcanic with steepbanks. are generallyrocky,fast-flowing andincised, thin, especiallyasgradientssteepen. Streams and mist.Soilsareleachedoftenvery growth, turbulenceandfrequentcloudcover year-round, cooltemperaturessoslower “Kamahi Country” high rainfall. vegetation istolerantoffrost,infertilityand relatively infertileonthehills.Natural round. Soilsaredeepandwelldrainedbut frosts areheavy.Thereishighrainfallyear- Cool Basin free coastalconditions. blend ofdroughtyscreeconditionsandfrost- where itisclosesttothepresentcoast,a Escarpment nutrient-cycling species. vegetation isdominatedbyvigorous,high by loessmantlingandweathering.Natural cover issignificant.Landformsare‘softened’ frost-free duetoairdrainageatnight;cloud Experiences year-roundhumidity;generally areas aswellfoothillsandvalleymouths. “NikauBelt” soils. Manawatu River,itisdominatedbypeaty,wet landscape wascreatedbyfloodingofthe climate to Flax terraces lowland terraces Coldairpoolsatnighthereand Theoldmarineescarpment, Includessomelowlandterrace isanareawithasimilar Experienceshighrainfall but becausethe PAEKAKARIKI PARAPARAUMU BEACH WAIKANAE BEACH TE HORO OTAKI

LEVIN MANAWATU RIVER MANAWATU FOXTON BEACH SHANNON FOXTON boundaries aresharpinreality. this wouldbemisleading,as few the scaleshownhere.Finerdetail than Note thatmappingwasundertaken at Figure 1Mapillustratingdomains

PAGE 5 PAGE 6 design issuesthat relatetoeachdomain. W n n n n n achieving thisinclude: maximising thesenseofspace.Ways built environments,gettingthescalerightand modification, minimisingthevisualimpactof needs whileatthesametimeminimisingland design? Mostlytheaimistosatisfyyourown What arethekeyaspectsofrurallandscape Fitting In e cansummarisesomespecificlandscape easterly storms. dunelands needprotectionfrom infrequent exacerbates duneerosion.Talltreesin frost damage.Disruptingonshorewinds cold airintheopen,flatcountryintensifies maintaining airmovement discord mean theydonotdominateorcreate buildings, utilitiesandservicesinwaysthat managing earthworks to visually‘connect’buildingswiththeland suburban vernacular,andexploringways in buildingsandmaterialsratherthana using aruralvernacular runoff aswellforaestheticvalues grazing regimesandmanagementof patterns protecting naturaldrainage ones. ‘edges’ ratherthancreatingarbitrary,new or amenityplantings.Trytofollownatural fence linesandshelterbeltsplantation the placementofaccessroadsandtracks, patterns maintaining thenaturallandform . Bearthisismindwhenplanning -thisshouldbeconsideredwith andlocating (seepage11) . Trapping conditions (generallyspeakingsmall-leaved relatively fewspeciesadaptedto these frosts salty winds On dunes,strong,steadydrying onshore response. trees andshrubsarethenaturalecological sheltering andpractical.Small,multi-crowned pattern of hollows andtheleeofdunes.Continuethis plantation forest)confinedtothedamper with muchofthelargevegetation(except It isadimpled,rather this diversityinnewdevelopmentstoo. reflected inthenaturalvegetation,soretain extremes ofdrydunesandwethollows It isa Severe saltbeltandinlanddunes highly diverse dictate plantingprogrammes.There are clump-planting , summer formless landscape,withthe drought ; itisself- and winter landscape, country The barehilltopscreateasenseof trees. store oxygenintheirroots,suchascabbage sedges, flaxes,toetoeorspeciesthatcan planted withshallowrootingspeciessuchas and poorlydrained Damp, swampyground, both westerliesandeasterlies. Trees needprotectionfromwindrockingby grasses -notsedgeswillbemostsuccessful). species, treeswithshiny,thickleaves,and only appropriateontheoldsand plains. constructed landscapes.Creating flatareasis hilltops ordisruptthe‘hillsanddales ’ with geometric patternswithtrees.Don ’t buildon . Avoidcreatingsolidscreensor acidic salty winds soils arebest open , frosts 3 reconstitute asoil. material andfertiliserneedtobe addedtohelp To fast-trackrevegetation,bothorganic drive wouldbevisuallyobtrusive. is acceleratedandconcentrated and astraight running drivesstraightupdunefacesasrunoff remedial actionswift.Nevertheless,avoid activities. Earthworksmustbeminimisedand leaching aregreatlyexacerbatedbyhuman changing contoursandsoillossthrough swamps, sandblowoutsshiftingdunesand In this manageable viewlines. as naturallypossiblewithinyour swamp. Emphasiseandrestorethesefeatures duneland, whethersea,lake,streamor Water the top. hollows whichwillallowthewindtoliftover will minimisefrosttrapping,andgrovesin shelter byusingbothindividualtrees,which based onexistingnativevegetation,achieve curve sinuously.Plantings,whichhavebeen grass blendintothecontours;driveways Property boundariesareblurred,areasof design canmaintainthedunelandscontext. (left) Theseruralpropertiesillustratehowsite wetland restorationignored. dunes havebeenlevelledandpotentialfor that willsoondominateandldiminishviews; boundaries areover-emphasisedbyhedging the naturalcharacterofduneland.Straight (right) Incontrast,thesepropertiesdisregard dynamic is anessentialingredientinthe environment, infillingof 4 strong senseof M which buildingsandtrackslookless obstrusive. helps tocreatebackdropsoredges against faces andstreambanks,isdesirable. Thisalso features, forexamplebyrevegetatingterrace these instances,enhancinganynatural (top right)aremostcommonaroundLevin.In Open vistassuchasthatinthephotograph streams areborderedwithwillows. or shelterbeltsofdeciduoustrees.Larger replanted withlarge,scatteredexoticconifers land usehasresultedina‘cleanslate’ dissected well-defined terraces This environmentisdominatedbyeitherflat, terraces Lowland terraces,volcaniclowland ostly, however,viewsareclose,witha by downcuttingstreams.Intense enclosure ordownland created bytall views. page 8forwaystoachieveboth shelterand diminishes thefeelingofopencountryside. See terraces. However,suchasolidtunneloftrees fulfil ourexpectationsofruralcharacteronthe Grass-edged roadswithnosignofutilityservices Although soilsarefertile,whetheralluvialor of livinginthecountryside. counter-productive totheopenspacevalues screen trees,buttoomuchenclosureis locating buildingsawayfromroads,behind life-style options.Privacycanbemaintainedby shelter trees,and privacy

aerial photos: KCDC plays abigpartin clay-rich, summer winter pugging. disposal andavoidingsoildamagesuchas contamination practices mustaimto problem, andsoakpitsfarmmanagement Leaching ofnitratesintogroundwaterisa light frosts determine plantingprogrammes. bycontrollingeffluent drought minimise accompanied by Flax terraces sweeping landscapes and helpretainthenostalgiaofbroad open, willatleastoptimisewaterfowlhabitat Keeping vegetationlow,andwaterwaysfairly required toretainorrecreatewetlandhabitats. variations inthewater-tableortopographyis approach tointegratingland-useswithsubtle of windonthepeatsoils.Anopportunistic practises andreducingtheevaporativeeffects return reliesonchangingfarm Any potentialfornativeswampvegetationto the oncekahikateaandflax-rich and increasedwindexposurearedryingout Drainage, floodmanagementcanalschemes . Fitting In management peatlands.

PAGE 7 PAGE 8 Earthworks, especially roads,areconspicuous edges’. should alsofollowcontoursandhave ‘soft and newplantings,suchasplantation forest, These edgesare their visualimpact. close thatrootsaredamaged),tohelplessen bush edgeswherepossible(thoughnotso element andbuildingsshouldbelocatedalong As aresult, forest thatremain. however, itisonlycompactpocketsofnative use oflandinthistemperate,humidzone, dominate thelandscape.Duetoproductive canopy regeneration withits Vigorous kohekohe-dominatednativeforest “Nikau Belt” Fitting In and the(oftenisolated)nikaupalms, edges soft are asignificantdesign smooth , notseverelygeometric, , compact place intheirvicinity). strongly colouredexotictreesseemoutof forest areastrongcolourinfluence(darkor The excavation. contours on thehillslopes.Takeparticularcareto Position buildings againstbushedges fresh greens , andminimiseearthspills of kohekohe-mahoe-titoki follow for screeningor shelter. Abufferbetween pine Use rustic lichens, fernsandcreepers,emphasising the Human interventionsaresoonsoftened by sense ofchaos in thislandscape.Thereis spreading crowns,seemperfectlyappropriate Massive landscape. contributes tothe tauhinu, bracken,manukaandkamahiscrub, rewarewa. Revertingfarmland,cloakedin Young forestisdominatedbyspiresof rough, tousledsilhouetteoftallnativeforest. many oftheskylinesinareabear of regeneratingcutoverforestsinthefoothills, Thanks toTararuaForestPark,andanumber “Kamahi Country” groves nature ofthisarea. trees, whethertallspiresor rather thanstraightlineplantings rather thangeometricorder. unruliness a pervasive of the wider herethanintheareasnearer thecoast. runoff, riparianvegetationstrips shouldbe With steepergradientsandfasterflowing view. surrounding astheywillbe design buildingssympatheticallytothenatural steeper terrainandcareshouldbetakento There islittleprivacytopropertiesduethe character inthisenvironment. pruned shelterbeltsandhedgesareoutof harvested canbedevastating.Severely to windandfrostwhenplantationtreesare sudden exposureofbushspeciesinthiszone forest andnativegullyvegetationiswise,as focal points

Photo: Chris McLean in the been usedforshelter thereisnoreasonwhy Although exoticconifershavetraditionally boundary lines. following contoursratherthantracing abrupt frosts. Shelterbeltsshouldmeander around of air,asthisareaexperiencesheavywinter Shelter shouldbeplannedtominimisetrapping the basins. maintain thenaturalsettingforpropertiesin revegetation andriparianplanting,will Emphasis ofthoselandforms,throughscarp spacious create itsowncharacter: and landusesoftheflatterbasinterraces country’ dominatesviewsbutthelandforms design, astheenclosureby This isacuriouslandscapeinwhichtoconsider Cool Basin scenery. gentle rough , placid ‘kamahi , forest. opportunities forbirdsvisitingfromnearby rewarewa, especiallyastheyofferfeeding particular wineberry,kamahi,five-fingeror local nativetreesshouldnotbeused,in

Photo: Chris McLean n n consider wheneverawoodlotisplanned: There aresomefundamentalprinciplesto monotonous mantleofplantationpine. landscape diversitythatwouldbelostundera Clusters ofwoodlotshelptomaintainthe protection plantingsfornativeremnants. riparian protection,wildlifecorridorsand can providestockshelter(perhapsalsofood), they areplannedandlocatedcarefully, Today woodlotsareseenasmultifunctional.If Woodlots n avoid geometricplotshapes lie oftheland. and thewholeplantingwillconflictwith the rowswouldbevisibleforalongtime instead, youplantedupanddownaslope inrowsalongacontour. siltation problems. vegetation willhelpreducerun-off and are harvested,havingpermanent up-slope wider landscapeappeal.Also,when stands accentuated andwilldistractfrom the boundary thatanydisruptionsalongitare hilltops Avoid plantingalongridgetopsand mosaics acrossslopesin‘kamahicountry’). straddling gulliesinthe‘nikaubelt’; slopes; irregularlyshapedpockets hollows inthedunecountry,oronlee shape ofyourwoodlot(e.g.clumpsin Reflect otherlandscapepatternsinthe to followlandformsinavisuallylogicalway. adjoin neighbour’swoodlotsifitallowsyou . Theskylineissuchavisible . Tryto If, n n n use a edges hasthesameeffect. achieved. Multi-tiercroppingalongthe the edges reduce pruningonthetreesnear council orlocalnurseryforadvice. basins’) inthearea.Contactyourregional problem in‘kamahicountry’andcold invade dampbush(sycamoreisalreadya invade pasture.Sycamore,pinesandash wetlands. Somelarches,pinesandacacias willows andpoplarsareaproblemin seeding orsuckering.Certainalders, native vegetation,eitherbyvigorous Some exotictreesarethreats are included. species suchasalders,acaciasandkowhai beneficial tosoilhealthifnitrogen-fixing harvested incrementally.Amixtureisalso interesting butalsothatitwillbe woodlot, sonotonlydoesitlookmore diversity ofspecies sothatasoft‘bushy’lookis Fitting In inone to

PAGE 9 PAGE 10 Planning Shelter both sides,andmaycreateazonewherewind However, a hedges andshelterbelts. temptation istogrowdense,tall,fast-growing give stockshadeortocreateprivacyandthe We createsheltertoreducewinddamage, reasons forhavingitinthefirstplace. shelter isthattoomuchcanunderminethe The importantthingtounderstandabout Fitting In solid barrier createsturbulenceon to prevent. which ismoredamagingthanthewindittrying An imperviousbarriercancreateturbulence less frostdamagetherewillbe. barriers are,thelesserosionislikely,and The more‘permeable’towindthevegetationor helps controlthewindflowacrossduneland. Controlling theheightofvegetationandbuildings windflow throughthepropertywhile clusters ofshortertreesmaycreateabetter 10m highshelterbeltisn’treallyneeded- element. Perhaps200mofshelterbehinda distance viewshaftsareacriticallandscape flat areassuchastheterracedcountry,long A tallwindbreakmaywellblockviews,andin to adistance20timestheheight. sides. Ontheleewardsidebenefitextends creates zonesoflessenedvelocityonboth that is ‘dumps’ aftersailingoverthebarrier.Abarrier half solid,void , ontheotherhand, country turbulence andincreasewinderosion indune Solid fences,wallsandshelterbelts willincrease reduce windvelocity Clusters oftrees,ordeliberatelyspacedtreescan can causepoolingofcoldairandincreasethe terraces andcoolbasins),impervioushedging In areassubjecttofrost(theinlanddunes, woodland scene. lower branches)createa‘see-through’ where scatteredtotara(oftenwithgrazed through’ natureechoestheTeHorolandscape velocity andprovidingshade,butthe‘see- belt isnotonlyeffectiveforlesseningwind In thephotographbelow,styleofshelter preserving viewshafts. and wind turbulence. force ofthewind. stands withabufferthatabsorbs the trees mature.Protectremnantforest Plant toanticipatethewindflow as frost. days, atnightthelackofairdrainageattracts enclosed spacesmaybewarmerduringwinter intensity offrostdamage.Eventhough artificially flatland,kerbandchannellingserve simpler landscapes.Strongcolourschemes, often lookoutofplaceinthelargerscale, appropriate instreetsfullofbuildings,theywill clutter oftiles,concreteandbricksare the landwhichdominates.Whereas attention. Inthecountryside,however,itis In citiesitisbuildingswhicharethefocusof suburban architectureandlifestylewiththem. country theyoftenbringtheirnotionsof When peoplemovefromthecityto The RuralVernacular land though theysitcomfortablyonthe low wallshelpbuildingslookas reduce thesizeofbuilding shadow linewhichseemsto eaves andoverhangscreatea house hasminimalvisualimpact colour schemeensurethislarge natural timbersandaneutral 4 3 constraints. InNewZealandthecolonialforms climate, socialhistoryandeconomic architectural stylesuitedtotheparticular Every countrytendstodevelopan more sympathetictotheirsurroundings. techniques bywhichbuildingscanbemade background. Butthereareanumberof and green‘disappear’intothe This doesnotmeanbuildingsmustallbebrown countryside. spaciousness andrelaxednatureofthe only todistractourattentionawayfromthe wind andwaves sun-bleached objectssweptby are themselvesreminiscentof are closetothebeach,andwhich the shapeofthesehouseswhich duneland shapesareechoedin extending theruralvernacular. the curvesofrollinghillsanddunesare landscapes. Curvedroofsandwallsthatmimic cladding hasfoundahomeinsomeoftherural large panesofglassandunpaintedtimber the post-modernistsimplicityofflatroofs, building language,andmorerecentlyagain, echoed mountainbackdropsaddedtotherural And then are perceivedaspartofourruralheritage. now pitchedroofs,verandahsandlean-to’s left auniquelegacyincountryhousing,sothat steeplypitchedroofsthatobviously contours oftheslope fencelines andtracksfollowthe forest. receeds intotheshadowsof dark coloursensurethehouse 4 4 3 3 than solidconcreteorplasteredwalls. natural tousepermeablefencingstylesrather area wherewirefencingdominates,itis difference betweentownandcountry.Inan Fencing inparticularcommunicatesthe planking intheruralvernacular. There islittlelogictobrickveneersandplastic timber, stone,iron-isanimportantingredient. T concrete andpaving. through usinggravelsandgrasstoreplace used, thenusingrocklocaltothearea); natural coloursandcladding(ifrockis vines trailingupwalls;throughtheuseof starts withgoodsiting.Itcanbeassistedby share isasenseofbelongingtotheland.This What manyofthesuccessfulruralbuildings sense ofenclosure open timberfencesminimisethe the housetoland vines andramblershelpto‘tie’ he useof‘honestdown-to-earth’materials- Fitting In

PAGE 11 PAGE 12 n n buildings. rules thathelpminimisethevisualimpactof For bothapproachestherearefundamental to thesurroundings. the land,echoinglandformsandblendingin approach isforthehousetobecomepartof it, perhapsbybeingraisedoffit.Theother dominance ofthelandand‘treadslightly’on rural architecture.Onerespectsthe There aretwomainapproachestosuccessful visual impact. taken intoaccountshouldcertainlybethe aspect andsoforth,butoneofthefactors costs ofservices,locationsewagesystems, will bedeterminedbypracticalissuessuchas The positioningofbuildingsontheproperty conspicuous thebuildingsandroadswillbe. of course,thesteeperslopemore countryside tobethefocusofattention.And, in ruralareasitisdesirableforthe can causethemtobefocalpoints,whereas Their prominenceandtheirarchitecturalstyle perception oftheneighbourhood’slandscape. Buildings dramaticallyinfluenceour Tracks Siting Buildings& Fitting In reshape thegroundlatersothat the minimise theexcavationrequired and or vegetation. watertanks) sothattheirbackdrop island buildings (includingshedsand avoid abackdropofsky.Instead,position and engineeredslopes. and whichmakesmoothtransitions betweennatural Consider techniquesthatrespect the landforms In anaturalsettingengineeredslopes lookoffensive. Roading andhousingishighlyvisible onhillysites. n n n n not theboundaryfence. align buildingswiththe‘lieofland’ natural lines. desired effectofprivacywhilemaintaining or createanavenueoftreestothe from theroad.Clustertreesandshrubs buildings istoplanawindingapproach landscape. Abetterwaytoscreen visual elementintoanotherwise‘soft’ it simplyintroducesanewdominant shelter beltisnotaneffectivetechnique- screening housesfromtheroadwitha use asimilardesignstyleforallbuildings by builtstructures. the countrysidehaveminimalinterference cluster buildingstogethersothatviewsof particularly relevantinhillockydunelands. natural shapeoftheland.Thisis building doesnotappeartointerruptthe Figure 2 4 Build toexistinggradients round offslopes Restore naturaldrainageand to theexistinggradients Create asmoothtransition O O O P P P 3 fence orwallacrossthelawn. prevent stockenteringthegarden, without theneedfora position oftheha-ha.Ha-hawere traditionallyusedto vertical edge).Thearrowinthephoto (left)showsthe possible tocreateaha-ha(anelevatedterracewith to enhancealongdistanceviewfromthehouse,itmaybe view ontotheproperty.Todisguiseadistractingtrack,or The viewsfromthehousearejustasimportant

S.Drakeford achieved. After onlythreeyearsthedesiredeffecthasbeen 3 absorbing therunoff. driveway willremainsoft-edged,withthegarden vegetation willbecomethedominantfeature.The become discreetlyscreenedfromtheroadand the trees.Asplantingsmature,housewill position tothehouse,nowswingselegantlyaround which oncerandirectlyfromthephotographer’s This propertywasredevelopedsothatthedriveway, 3 Fitting In

PAGE 13 PAGE 14 Figure 3Usefulfiltrationandevapo-transpirationsystemplants(tolerateperiodicwetfeet). Sewage Systems Waste &Water away fromwaterwaysthedischargemustbe. and climatecharacteristics,howfar possible onnewproperties,basedsoil Councils willstipulatethetypesofsystems more economicandbetterleveloftreatment. consider acombinedsystemtoprovide If thereisagroupofbuildinglotsproposed, (including sewage)ontheproposedlot. adequate on-sitewastewaterdisposal for resourceconsent,thattherecanbe Applicants forruralsubdivisionsmustshow, inadequate andshouldbeupgraded. on-site sewagesystemsareoldand by reticulatedsewagesystems.Manyexisting of rurallife,asfewareasareserviced On-site sewagedisposalisprettymuchafact manuka ( swamp coprosma( karamu ( toetoe ( most Terraces divaricatus marsh ribbonwood( manuka ( common rush( most sea rush( swamp coprosma( k Sand country invasive andnotrecommended. Schoenoplectus californicusissometimessuggestedasagoodfiltration plant,butthisexoticis Shrubs shouldnotbeplantedtooclosetodistributionpipesortheirroots mightblocktheholes. aramu ( Carex Carex Cortaderia toetoe Coprosma robusta Coprosma robusta Leptospermum scoparium Leptospermum scoparium Juncus maritimus ) spp. (sedge) spp. (sedge) Juncus gregiflorus C. tenuicaulis C.tenuicaulis ) Plagianthus ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Otaki, ManakauandTeHoro). the groundwater,asishappeningaround likelihood ofcontaminantsbeingflushedinto the ground(andthusincreasing collecting onthegroundsurfaceorsaturating subsoil. Theaimistopreventeffluent treatment beforebeingreleasedintothe through asoilorsand-basedsoakage contaminate groundwater,soitpasses compounds andpathogenswhichcould The liquidcomponentstillcontainsnitrogen three years. To maintaintanks,pumpthemoutevery solids breakdownandasludgeaccumulates. This iscommonlycalledtheseptictank.The tank wheresolidsandliquidsareseparated. common toallthesystemsandrequiresa The firstpartofthetreatmentprocessis NikauBelt Cool basins ( hounds tonguefern ustulatus giant umbrellasedge( toetoe ( karamu ( kiokio fern( most All treeferns pustulatus hounds tonguefern( giant umbrellasedge( karamu ( kiokio fern( most Phymatosorus pustulatus Carex Carex Cortaderia toetoe Coprosma robusta Coprosma robusta ) ) Blechnum capense Blechnum capense spp. (sedge) spp. (sedge) ustulatus Cyperus Phymatosorus ) ) ) ) ) ) ) absorb it. should matchthecapacityofsoilto and theamountofeffluentbeingtreated that oxygenandmicrobesworkeffectively, Treatment areasshouldallbeshallow,so this role. high. RefertoFigure4forsuitableplants seek dampsoils,andtheevaporationrateis sunshine hours.Hereplantrootswillactively inland dunes beds areidealforthe the nutrient-richliquids.Evapo-transpiration evaporation andplanttranspirationtoabsorb level; evapo-transpirationbedsthatuse drained soils;sandmoundsaboveground pipes laidintrencheswhichworkwell options available:perforatedaggregate-filled There arearangeofsoakagetreatment Kamahi Country stagnant water. water isabletoflow,ratherthanrich, preference isforpoorgroundwhere situations, althoughitsnatural tenax) Note thatswampflax( rangiora ( kiokio fern( mountain toetoe( pustulatus hounds tonguefern( ustulatus giant umbrellasedge( karamu ( most All treeferns Carex withtheirlowrainfallandhigh may betriedinallthese Coprosma robusta ) Brachyglottis repanda ) Blechnum capense spp. (sedge) sandy saltbelt Cortaderia fulvida Phymatosorus Phormium Cyperus ) ) ) andthe ) Regional Council. (www.standards.co.nz) andtalkwithyour 44 forfurtherinformation 1546 (DomesticWastewaterSet)orSNZHB site DomesticWastewaterManagement)and refer totheGuidessuchasNZS1547(On- options availablethancoveredhere-youcan Note thattherearemorewastewaterdisposal reduce systemrequirements. Composting toiletsystemswillsubstantially septic tanktobe30%largerthannormal. sink kitchenwaste-disposalunitrequiresa reduced? Forexample,simplyhavinganin- Consider carefullyyouroutputs.Cantheybe is requiredtoadequatelytreatwastewater. A substantialamountoflandandequipment maintenance! ponding -thatmeansit’stimefor soakage area.Watchforanysurfaceeffluent uphill areasisn’tgoingtoflowintothe Ensure rainwaterfromroofs,drivewaysor grow deep-rootingtreestooclosetopipes. livestock whichmaycompactthearea.Don’t clogging. Keepitclearofvehiclesand it (ratherthanusinggravityfeed)willavoid occasionally damp.Pumpingeffluentthrough The soakageareaisgoingtobelargeand Driveway Runoff rural aesthetics marry. Permeablesubstrates This isoneareawherepracticalities and surfaced drives,yardsandcarparks. cleaning chemicalsthatwashoff hard pollution isthevehicleexhaust, oiland A concentratedsourceofgroundwater the silttrap. floods beforedeterminingthecapacityof knowledge abouttheexpectedscaleof future. Itisadvisabletoseeklocal they willcontinuetodotheirworkintothe incorporated intonaturaldrainagepatterns the constructionrun-off.Iftheseare it isimportanttodesignsilttrapscapture When constructingnewroadsonhillslopes appropriate intheruralsetting. channelling, andthesoft-edgedlookis and pollutant-bearingrunoffthankerb and moreefficientatdispersingfloodwaters associate with‘thecountry’,arefarcheaper Swales, thegrassedroadsideditcheswe soakage pit. hard surfacescanbelefttodrainintoa through vegetativefilters.Alternatively, surfaces, lettingpollutedwaterdrain cobbles thatallowgrassgrowth,areuseful such asthickgravel,plasticmattingor consumption. are gettingtoohighforborewater use it.Thenitratelevelsinthegroundwater from sewagesystemstoodeep for plantsto than plantscantakeup,orisbeing supplied Manukau) wherethenitrogeninputisgreater areas (particularlyaroundTeHoroand makes waterunsafetodrink,andthereare soils andwillbetakenupbyplants.Nitrate nitrates fairlyrapidlyinmostNewZealand Ammonia (fromeffluent)isconvertedto Pasture Runoff drink moretheyeatmore. when itisofhighquality,andthey farmers believelivestockdrinkmorewater use alternativewatersourcesforstock.Many of yourproperty.Fenceoffwaterwaysand soils whenyouassessthecarryingcapacity waterways. Factorinthepermeabilityof intercepting runoff Increase theamountoffilteringvegetation weather; abundantstingingnettle. seasonal algalbloomsonlakesinwarm growth wherefarmrunoffenterswetlands; illustrated here)includeincreasedraupo enrichment (beyondtheobviousevidence drain intowaterways.Telltalecluesof it leachesintogroundwater).Itmayalso vegetation can’tabsorballthenitrogen(and Stock urinepatchescreateproblemsbecause opportunities forinvertebrates. aquatic lifeofoxygenandreducinghabitat weed growthinlakesandstreams,depriving Nitrates (andphosphates)alsocauseprolific Putting aboredownmeanshigh planning maysavenotonlywater butmoney. gardens orcommercialcrops,forward resources. Whetheryouintend watering Irrigation isamajordrainonwater water. rainfall maintainingtheriverlevelsandbore District doesnotstorewaterandrelieson throughout Kapiti-Horowhenua.KapitiCoast Seasonal watershortagesarecommon Being Water-Wise before it reaches precious water. considered asanotherwaytoconserve Composting toiletsshouldbeseriously appliances providesaregulardrip-feed. systems orgreywaterfromhousehold driveway runoff,wastewatertreatment produced onyourproperty.Diverting It wouldbeidealtore-usethewastewater minimise evaporation. sprinklers, andwaterlateintheeveningto use timers,moisturemetersanddirectional If youdointendtoirrigateagardenarea, planting densely. crops’ suchasmanukaortreelucerne;and well; perhapsinterplantingwithin‘nurse autumn usinghardened-offplants;mulching best plantsforthelocation;plantingin This meansseekinggoodadviceaboutthe property sothatirrigationisnotrequired. best approachistoplantormanageyour use beingsustainableinthelongterm.The there willalwaysbedoubtoverground-water In thedunelandsandalluvialterraces contaminated withnitrates. you areinanareawheregroundwateris What isthewaterqualitylike-especiallyif all theneighboursaredrawingoffwater? available. Whathappenstothewatertableif whether thepressureyourequireisactually maintenance costs.Youwillneedtoknow development costsandhighongoing Waste &Water

PAGE 15 PAGE 16 need notexceed theformulaillustratedon filter shouldbe.Theheightofthe vegetation faster therunoffandwider the riparian recommended, butthesteeper the land, Generally speaking,10metreseach sideis streams tocounteractallthese negatives? How muchvegetationisrequiredalongside and intensifiesthesenaturalprocesses. cases, lossofriparianvegetationaccelerates nutrient-enriched. Nevertheless,inboth to becomingchokedwithorganicmatterand shallow lakesthatarenaturallypredisposed discoloured bytannins.Therearealso through peatandbecome‘naturally’ Many streamsinthedunecountryrun n n n n riparian vegetationis: stream health.Astrippedoftall sharp focuswhenweassesseffectson All theruralissuesofsustainabilitycomeinto Riparian Protection Improving &CreatingNaturalHabitats birds. unable toprovidesafehabitatorfoodfor events; more pronetoerosionduringflood food suppliesforaquaticlife); terrestrial insecthabitatreducingthe causing temperaturefluctuations;lossof oxygen fishrequire;lossofshading and weedinfestationdepletingthe a poorerecosystem(waterenrichment sedimentation); nitrogen levels,contaminants, prone todecreasedwaterquality(high waterways acrosstheland. the areabyemphasisingpathsof will alsocontributetotheoveralllandscapeof stock andwindbreaksorwoodlottimber.It be multi-functional:itcanprovideshadefor With carefulplanning,riparianplantingcan nitrogen run-offfrompastureby90%. vegetation hasbeenshowntodecreasethe agriculture orforestrypractices.Riparian most susceptibletodegradationby into largerwaterwaysasthesearethesites headwaters andsmallerwetlandsthatdrain The greatestreturnsforyoureffortwillbeat impact, andthepestscanalsobecontrolled. to waterqualityandbiotaoutweightheir for possumsandmustelids,butthebenefits Continuous bushwillprovidesuitablehabitat convulvulus andpampasinfestation). areas areparticularlypronetoblackberry, and harecontrol,weedcontrol(riparian Planting programmesshouldinvolverabbit this pagetocreateoptimalfishhabitat. Ideal heightsforstreamside planting. Figure 3 summer shadingorwinterleaf-drop. because theysuppressundergrowtheitherby and poplars,allowtoomuchsurfacerunoff Traditional exoticriparianspecies,willows populations also. seasonal dietsowearesupportingtheir for nativefoliageandfruitsaspartoftheir Some nativebirdspecieshaveapreference the hostwemaintainanaturalfoodchain. part oftheirlifecyclesandbymaintaining are dependentuponcertainnativespeciesfor the useofnativespecies.Manyinsects There areseveralreasonsforencouraging advisable. such asthis,andpermanentvegetationis warrant aseasonalmanagementapproach seasonal differencesarenotgreatenoughto of theKapiti-Horowhenuaarea,though, summer, providesaneffectivebuffe.Inmost to absorbheavyrunoff,thengrazingitover riparian grasslandtobecomerankinwinter In somepartsofthecountryallowing nutrient conditionsdowellinthese sites stripped ofsoils.Plantssuitedto wet,low common sostreambedsareoften rockyand gullies, higherrainfallandflashfloodingare “Kamahi country”,Coolbasins dominant species. on flat,wetvalleyfloorsflaxwillbeauseful as pukateaandkahikatea,treefernsetc,but and itisfeasibletoplantlargespeciessuch temperate beltareconducivetotreegrowth wetlands andgentlebanks.Conditionsinthis vegetation isremoved.Thiswillcreate slumping intostreambedswhenprotective clay-rich soilinthiszonewhichisproneto “Nikau belt” helpful. mahoe, manuka,treefernsandhebeare important forstabilisingdeepbanks.Kowhai, drought tolerant.Rootstrengthanddepthis variety ofspecies,althoughtheyneedtobe frost-free soplantingcancompriseawider vegetated longterm.Banksaregenerally banks are‘cleaner’andmoredifficulttokeep generally shallower,straighterandfasteso Terrace country edges fromstockdamageinthiszone. effort shouldbemadetoprotectgrassy reach hundredsofmetresinlandandevery salt wedge(wherewhitebaitspawn)may becomes excessiveplantshadetrees.The flax agoodchoice.Ifaquaticgrowth These conditionsmakegrasses,sedgesand along thebanksofsmaller,sluggishstreams. are excessivelywelldrained.Frostislikely steep, readilyerodablebanks.Thesandysoils streams whichmeanderslowly,andhave Dune country Thereisoftenadeeploessor Generallydeeplyincised Streamsandriversare Steeper . small leavedrata mamaku putaputaweta kanono five finger pigeonwood wineberry swamp flax poroporo wharangi mahoe lemonwood rangiora karamu manuka kaikomako totara kowhai mahoe manuka muakoro, scentedbroom koromiko karamu taupata tauhinu tree tutu ngaio kanuka swamp flax pukio toetoe examples ofsuitablenativespeciesforthesesites Myoporum laetum Podocarpus totara Cortaderia toetoe Carex secta Melicytus ramiflorus Melicytus ramifl Sophora microphylla Kunzia ericoides Coprosma grandifolia Coprosma repens Cassinia leptophylla Coprosma robusta Coprosma robusta Leptospermum scoparium Leptospermum scoparium Brachyglottis repanda Coriaria arborea Cyathea medullaris Solanum aviculare Hebe stricta Melicope ternata Aristotelia serrata Pseudopanax arboreus Pennantia corymbosa Phormium tenax Phormium tenax Pittosporum eugenioides Hedycarya arborea Carpodetus serratus Metrosiderosperforata orus Carmichaelia odorata (poisonous tostock) (poisonous tostock) (poisonous tostock) tauhinu small leavedcoprosmas Melicope simplex kawakawa ponga cabbage tree Cyathea dealbata Cassinia leptophylla Macropiper excelsum Cordylineaustalis Improving &CreatingNaturalHabitats ‘hinges’ whenundercuttingoccurs. dense, robustrootmatinthetopsoil;which Low banksmaybebetterprotectedbya

PAGE 17 PAGE 18 Improving &CreatingNaturalHabitats raupo inpreference toflaxandamorerapid builds up.Thiswillencouragethe growthof so pHlevelscanriseasorganic material there isnottheflushingofstream-fed lakes, of groundwaterthroughtheseshallow lakes, Although thereisaconstantslow movement crucial totheirhealth. riparian plantingtoabsorbexcessrunoffis bottom thanindeeperlakes.Thus,afilterof warm, andmorelightreachesthelake levels becomeelevated,becausetheyare excessive aquaticweedgrowthifnutrient Shallow lakesareparticularlyvulnerableto is correspondinglywider. inundation-tolerant plantsaroundtheiredges their levelsfluctuategreatly.Thezoneof because theyarefedprimarilybyrainwater, created bypreviousduneerosionand Other smalllakesareperchedonhardpans the groundwaterthatrechargesthem. to theneighbourhood’sborewatertakeand swamps withtime.Theselakeswillrespond naturally progressivelyinfillandbecome edges haveashallowgradient.Theywould seasonally withthewater-tableandtheir level ofthewater-table.Theirlevelsfluctuate where windhaserodedsanddowntothe Most interdunallakesareshallowandoccur wetland. deliberate efforttoreturnboggyhollows now duetodrainage,thereshouldbea the dunecountryandsincetherearefewer Lakes havealwaysbeenamajorfeatureof Dune Lakes that diversity. of thoselinkagesmayhelprestore someof shellfish, snailsandinsects.Recreating some an extraordinarilyrichhabitatfor fish,birds, creeks throughthedunelandwhich created was anetworkoflakesandswamps Remember thatpriortofarmdrainagethere eachyear. involve aprogrammeofreleasingyoung quickly. Thisinevitablymeansplantingwill completing earthworks,tostabilisethesand to sowgrass,preferably important andimmediateplantingrequiredis When creatingdunepondsthemost the effectivechangeinwater-level). fluctuations (thesteeperthebankless bank tomanagetheeffectofwaterlevel box). Youcanalsodesignthegradientof best suitedtogrowaroundtheedges(see fluctuates, asthiswilldeterminetheplants to knowhowmuchthewatertable bed orinadunehollow,itwillbeimportant When creatinganewlakefromanoldswamp pond. drifting sandwillbeconstantlyinfillingthe solution toweedgrowthgenerallyanyway,as Digging adeeperpondisonlytemporary term. lakes willbestmanageitsgrowthinthelong water qualityratherthantryingtodeepen to onemetre,soyoumayfindthatimproving effluent runoff.Raupocangrowindepthsup result. Thegrowthofraupoisacceleratedby succession fromopenwatertoswampasa within hours of constant inundation Useful plantsfor: Coprosma propinqua Dacrydium dacrycarpus ‘wet feet’): australis (toetoe), fluctuate withrainfall): intermittant inundation Eleocharis acuta niggerhead), Leptospermum scoparium flax), Olearia virgata,Phormiumtenax ustulatus Carex secta seasonal inundation Syzygium maire (cabbage tree) Phormium tenax (giant umbrellasedge), Cortaderia toetoe (pukio, niggerhead), (sharp spike-sedge) , Coprosma tenuicaulis : (i.e. longperiodswith Carex secta Cortaderia toetoe (swamp maire), (manuka) (i.e.water levels (swamp flax), (kahikatea), Cordyline (toetoe), (raupo), Cyperus (swamp (pukio, , broadleaf species. true lefthasbeenplantedwith native that waterfowlcanlandwithease andthe right bankisbeingkeptclearof vegetationso first step:fencingofffromstock. Thetrue certainty. Thephotographabove showsthe planting programmecanproceedwithrelative Water levelsaregenerallystable,soa potential problemsofwashoutsorcollapse. engineer overdamconstructiontoavoid bore. Seektheadviceofaprofessional freshwater maybyaugmentedanartesian seepages andcreeks.Aconstantsupplyof environments, usuallybythedammingof Wetlands arebeingcreatedinother Springs Lakes fromCreeks& Mass Planting adaptations (such assoilfungalassociations Native woodycolonisingplants have Using nursecrops aeration andreleaseofnutrients. stock tramplingorvehiclescan be rippedfor Ground thathasbeencompactedbyheavy scale blowout. minimise adisturbanceturningintofull- then sowinggrassquicklyisessentialto On sandcountry,ifthegroundisdisturbed plantings reducessubstantially. prospect ofweedstakingoveryournew disturbed ground.Tacklethese,andthe and thefirstcropofseedsgerminatingin to catchtheresproutingrootsyoumissed to bepatientandwaituntilthenextspring such asblackberryorvines,itreallydoespay If thegroundhasjustbeenclearedofweeds Ground preparation Achieving thevision take tofulfillyourvision. undertaking andyouassesshowlongitwill term commitmenttomaintenanceyouare appropriate plants,youappreciatethelong- understand localconditionsandchoose costs itisvitalthatbeforeyoustart To managetherisksandtheirassociated a landscape. most costeffectivewaytoalterandimprove planting programmes,butinrealityitisthe Many peopledreadtheexpenseofmass Autumn infrost-free areas;elsewherelate Planting times time betweentheestablishedshrubs. tender speciescanbeplantedin fiveyears worth seekingspecialistadvice). Themore expected (morethanthisanditwouldbe dessication, butlossesofupto20%mustbe retention andwindbreaksmaycutdownthe mulching mayhelpwithsoilmoisture dessication whentheyareyoung.Heavy plant speciesthatcopewithheat,frostand Without anursecropyoumustbesureto ‘Clean slate’planting making themspindly. interplanted speciesisnotoverly‘forced’, nurse cropsothatthegrowthof years timeyouwillbeabletothinoutthe These speciesdonotrequirefertiliser.Infive in wetterareaskaramu( and nativebroom tauhinu, andinfrost-freeareas Useful nativespeciesare:manuka,toetoe, interplanting withthemoretenderspecies. before theyprovideadequateshelterfor should onlyneedtowaittwoorthreeyears establishment ofbroadleavedspeciesyou If usedasanurserycroptofast-trackthe friend. annoying weeds,oralandowner’sbest circumstances, theyaredeemedtobeeither they areyoung.Dependingonthe withstand heat,coldanddessicationwhen grow rapidlywithminimalsoilfertility,and and frosttolerance)whichallowthemto (Carmichaeliaodorata) Coprosma robusta Hebe stricta , and ). works bothbypreventing evaporationandby Mulching isforsoilmoistureretention, and Mulch relatively cheaptoreplaceatthis potsize. PB2. Anaddedbenefitisthatlosses are height. Thisusuallyequatestoapotsizeof ones. Useplantsapproximately20cmin Small plantswillestablishbetterthanbig Pot sizes Getting itright and whatdoesn’t. gives youthechancetoassesswhatworks several seasonsalsospreadstherisk,and achieve success.Stagingplantingover off therabbitsandpukeko?Startsmall next threeyears,replenishmulchandfight from aggressivecompetingweedsoverthe energy ormoneytoreleasethatmanyplants go? Berealistic.Willtherebethetimeand Tempted toplanttheentire2hectaresinone Is itreallyachievable? desirable. spacing betweenlarge-growingplantsis For alargemassplanting,onemetre Spacing ofplants for planting.Factorthisintoyourtimetable. environments toprepareplantsadequately several monthsinprogressivelyharsher plants andthismayhavetobedoneover Hardening offisessentialfornursery-raised has disappeared. winter afterthethreatofsuccessivefrosts Improving &CreatingNaturalHabitats in situ. nitrogen-fixing lucernethatcan bemulched woollen blanketfabric,oreven a cropof sands youmayneedaheaviermulch suchas mulch isadequatebutonthewind-derived On heaviersoils,newspaperor peastraw together soitdoesn’tbloworrollaway. weeds. Itneedstobefibrous‘knit’ preventing competitionformoisturefrom the nursecropshouldbethinned. When theyreachthesameheightasmanuka which, afterfouryearsofgrowth,arealmostvisible. has beeninterplantedwithbroadleavedspecies This fiveyearoldnursecropoftoetoeandmanuka

PAGE 19 PAGE 20 Improving &CreatingNaturalHabitats most shrubsandtrees,butdonot wasteit Slow releasegroundfertiliseris beneficial for areas. dune country.Itisnotessential inother so replenishorganicmatterregularlyinthe far morequicklyinsandthanothersoils, However, itbreaksdownandleachesaway water retentionratherthenplantfood. main roleoforganicmaterialinsandysoilsis Compost? Fertiliser?Aretheynecessary?The Additives contain undesirablemineralsandelements? (c)thatwaterqualitywillbeadequate.Willit achieve thesameeffect; good groundpreparationandmulching ones, bemoreeffectiveinthelongterm;will best plantsforthesite,ratherthanthirsty (b)itisthebestpractise.Couldplanting same watersource); the neighboursgoingtobedrawingoff (a)itisasustainablewatersupply(orareall Satisfy youselffirstthat: to getwaterthesitesthatrequireit. pressures availablearegoingtobeadequate and feedlines.Youneedtoknowthatthe and thenongoingcostsofmaintainingpumps Regional Council.Thereisthecostofabore, requires aresourceconsentfromthe of aboreonthewatertableas irrigation. Youneedtoascertaintheeffects There aremanycostsassociatedwith Irrigation 1. particular protectiontechniques. common inruralareasandeachrequire Three typesofnativebushremnantsare Remnants Protecting Bush on-going. will requirepatching.Pestcontrolshouldbe need replacing.Pestfencesandwind-breaks Mulch thathasblownorwashedawaywill can readilyfindtheyoungplantsagain!) naturalistic plantingsinrows-sothatthey alone manypeopleplanteventhemost threaten tooverwhelmthem.(Forthisreason releasing fromthegrassesandweedsthat three years,individualplantswillneed planting programmes.Eachyear,forupto Maintenance isthemostneglectedpartof Sustaining thevision kanuka. on thecolonisingplantssuchasmanukaand cattle canbrowse upto700mmoverfences. buffering shrubgrowth.Remember toothat away fromthestandedgetoallow forsome however, afenceshouldbeseveralmetres excluded, toprovideshelterfor stock. Ideally, grazed someoftheedgetreescould be (i)fencing.Ifsurroundinglandistobe requires: nettles. Returningthesetotheirfullpotential unpalatable undergrowthofcoprosmasand species remaining,andperhapssome Grazed blocks which haveonlycanopy but willbenefitfrom: stands. Theywillrequirelessintervention, 2. detrimental, notprotective. their entirelifespan,canendupbeing unless carefullyprunedandmaintainedfor trees. Talltreessuchasmacrocarpaandpine, which grownotallerthanthecurrentcanopy belt ofprotectivetreesisplanted,usespecies turbulent whentheyhappen).Ifashelter damage becausetheyaresoinfrequent(but that isrequired:easterlystormsdogreat is notjustshelterfromtheprevailingwinds or breakingoftreesontheexposedsides.It serious damageduringstormsfromtoppling soft substratesofthedunelands,cansustain (vi) shelter.Grazedblocks,especiallyinthe kohekohe flowers,unlessmanaged. concentrated damage,toseedlingsand they willdorelativelymoredamage,and dietry scopeforpossumsinthesestands (iv) animalpestmanagement.Withlittle evaporation ofsoilmoisture. interior speciesispossible,andtominimise and smalltreessothatregenerationofforest (iii) sealingedgesfromwindusingshrubs annuals. blackberry, wanderingwilly,etc,ratherthan the smotheringweedssuchasexoticvines, years. Concentrateweedremovaleffortson and nativegrassgrowthbackatleastfive weed growth.Thiswillsetregeneration,fern run stockthroughforafewdaystoreduce (ii) weedmanagement.Don’tbetemptedto Fencedstands orungrazedmulti-tier undermine theirvalue. naturally establishedbushthatwemustnot possible. Therearesofewbushremnantsof common examples).Keepstandsas‘pure’ begin todominate(puririandkaroare locals, ormayhavebird-distributedfruitsand native speciesastheymayhybridisewiththe There arehazardsinintroducingnon-local may betheresultofalargeplantingexercise. encouraged attheexpenseofothers)orthey been manipulated(selectedspecies 3. trampling. neighbours tominimisedamagewroughtby pathway throughthestand.Co-ordinatewith everyone wantstheirownaccessand detrimental tothehealthofstand,as properties fasterbutitisgenerally multiple propertysubdivisionsmaysell the fence.Sharingabushremnantamongst buffer ofshrubgrowthbetweenthepathand set thembackseveralmetres,allowinga paths, andiftheytraversetheboundaries, (ii) accessmanagement.Createwell-defined NZ passionvineandjasmine. karamu, mahoeandwithnativevinessuchas fast-growing smalltreeslikemanuka, must beeradicated.Fillthegapsleftwith most exoticvinesaretooaggressiveand are naturally‘sealed’byshrubsandvinesbut (i) edgemanagement.Damagedbushedges long termlegalprotectionofnatural habitats. Trust forinformationaboutcovenants for Contact yourdistrictcouncilorQEII National ‘Gardened’ stands . Perhapsthesehave Pest Animals n n with: Repel rabbitsandharesfromyoungplants n n n Control methodsinclude: prefer patchy,sparselygrassedareas. Overgrazing willencouragerabbits,asthey properties arenotadverselyaffected. numbers tolowlevels,sothatneighbouring landowner’s responsibilitytomanagerabbit are morecommonininlandareas.Itisa dune countryandalongriverbeds; RABBITS plant soisnotrainedoff). foliage (thisseemstobeabsorbed bythe dwellings. neighbours beforeyoushootnear frighten anyone,sowarnyour discharge afirearmsoastoannoyor on anyvehicle.Itisalsoanoffenceto it isanoffencetocarryaloadedfirearm must haveafirearmslicense.Remember hares astheydonottakepoison).You Shooting (thisisthebestoptionfor pipe. Useindryweather. hide thepelletsinshortlengthsofplastic either undertakepossumcontrolfirst,or compete withrabbitsforPindone,so anticoagulant poison).Possumswill Pindone cerealrabbitpellets(an Magtoxin tabletsforfumigatingburrows. Acrylic paint+egg powdermixture Oxblood, inliquidform,painted onto are particularlycommoninthe HARES n Landowner controlmethodsinclude: management programmes. with possumBovineTuberculosis DOC andRegionalCouncilsarealsoactive Ecosystems /HighValueConservationAreas. control onpropertieswithKeyNative Regional Councilswillassistwith responsibilities. and weaselsarealsolandowner Control ofpossums,goats,ferrets,stoats n mid summertoautumn. Best trappingseasonis Ground dwelling. (dark legs,tailandneck) Ferret Regional Councilorfarmproducestores. poison licenceandareavailablefrom recommended. Thesedonotrequirea cholecalciferol pelletbaitsare Bait stations:brodifacoumor lopping thetopsoff. than growingtipstopreventhares young plantswillneedtoextendhigher emerge. unprotected newgrowthwillsoon painted ontofoliage.Rememberthat Netting orplasticsleevesplacedaround POSSUM n Control methodsinclude: trapping foranylongtermbenefit. control, soyoumustpersistwithyour Mustelid populationsrecoverquicklyafter culverts, nearcreeksorrabbitwarrens. traps includehaybarns,cattlestops, Tuberculosis. Usefullocationsforsetting ferrets, whicharealsocarriersofBovine that poultrylossesoversummeraredueto serious threatstootherwildlife.Itislikely MUSTELIDS n n “Fenn” trapssetinsidewoodenorplastic and mustbeclearedthenextday. tunnels.They arebaitedwithfreshmeat trapping hedgehogs). ground levelifyouwanttoavoid Timms traps(baitwithapple;raiseabove firearm use). Shooting (seepreviouscommentsabout so dotakecare. are particularlyvulnerabletothispoison Brodifacoum willalsotargetrats.Dogs (ferrets, stoats,weasels)are underbelly. Short tail,white Uncommon. Weasel good stoatbait. Broken eggsare Climbers. (dark tippedtail) Stoat and vegetables! determine howbesttoprotectyoungplants the duckshootingseason.Itisuptoyou nuisance -andtheyareprotectedoutside PUKEKO in lowconcentrations. This doesnotrequireapoisonlicenseifused narcotic Alphachloralosetodrugthebirds. A furthermethodofcaptureisusingthe sporting goodsstores. lure birds.Bothcanbepurchasedfrom magpies painteddecoysordistresstapeswill building yourown).Toassistwithshooting the problemthemselves(orsupplyplansfor live capturetrapsforlandownerstotackle a threattopeople.TheycanalsoloanLarsen assist withmagpiecontrolwheretheypose controlled. RegionalCouncilofficerscan MAGPIES n Fax 069522929 Tel (free)0508446749 Private Bag11025PalmerstonNorth horizons.mw Fax 045264171 Tel 045265327 P.O.Box 40-847UpperHutt Fax 063787994 Tel 063782484 P.O.Box 41Masterton Wellington RegionalCouncil contact yourlocalRegionalCouncil. For detailedadvicedonothesitateto Diphacinone anticoagulantpoison(must be usedintunnelbaitstations). are notregardedasapest-just are notprotectedbirdsandcanbe Pests

PAGE 21 PAGE 22 Pests it hasreachedfullleafstage)and respray. Wait foranyregrowthtoreach one metre(so manufacturer’s instructions. recommended herbicideinaccordancewith level andpaintorsprayimmediatelywitha in thetrees.Cutbackstumpstoground Cut thevinesatwaistheightandleavetodie To controlexoticvinesfindtherootsystem. so arefarmoresuppressiveintheirgrowth. bird-dispersed seedsandareshadetolerant, climbers arefarmorevigorous,havewindor recovers fromdisturbance.Manyexotic seal bushedgesfromdestructivewindsasit element inthenativeecosystem,andhelpto penetrate thebush.Theyareanatural where windfallshaveallowedsunlightto tetrandra australis Native climberssuchas Climbers Pest Plants few years,socontactyourCouncilforthelatestadvice. responsibility. Updatedguidelinesarereleasedevery responsibility todestroy,andwhicharethecouncil’s will informyouwhichplantsareyourlegal Regional CouncilspublishPestPlantGuidelineswhich be caughtearlybeforetheyspread. Horowhenua -orwhichareatlowenoughlevelsto prevalent onruralfarmlandintheKapitiand Illustrated herearesomeofthepestplantswhich orNZPassionvine find anicheonbushedgesor Muehlenbeckia Tetrapathea Cape Ivy Bindweed Contact theRegionalCouncilforadvice. the releaseofsmallplantpiecesdownstream. Removal operationsshouldtrytominimise waterfowl. rapid dispersal,bothbywaterandthe the difficultyoferadicatingthemandintheir Water weedsposeparticularproblemsdueto Water weeds German Ivy Mile-A-Minute Hornwort Old Man’sBeard Marshwort Blue MorningGlory Lagarosiphon Cathedral Bells Parrots Feather Climbing Asparagus(SnakeFeather) Banana Passionfruit Pests

PAGE 23 PAGE 24 Pests directions arefollowed. seepage intowaterways.Ensure thatlabel Do notuseherbicideswherethere isariskof possible, targettingonlytheproblem plants. At alltimesbeasspecificwiththeir useas Using Herbicides edges. sycamore isself-seedingfreelythroughbush removed. Inthecooler,wetterhillcountry reverting pasturewhengrazingpressureis macrocarpa andpinearelikelytoself-seedin original circumstanceschange,forexample Some treesbecomeproblemswhentheir around TeHoro. terrace country-evenusedasshelterbelts Evergreen buckthorncanbefoundonthe giant pencilshavings). single midribanditsdeadleaveslooklike the leaves(toetoehasmanyribs,pampasa (toetoe insummer,pampasautumn)and and nativetoetoeincludethefloweringtimes Ways totellthedifferrencebetweenpampas include boxthorn,boneseedandpampas. In thedunecountryparticularproblemplants anywhere withintheHorowhenuaDistrict. in yourarea).Broommustberemoved vary betweenCouncils-checkwhattheyare adjoining properties(therulesforhowclose species whichshouldbecontrolledcloseto Gorse, ragwortandvariegatedthistleare assist withadvice. blackberry, butRegionalCouncilofficerscan There isnolegalrequirementtocontrol Other planttypes Japanese Honeysuckle Pampas Boneseed Broom Wild Ginger Evergreen Buckthorn Contacts

Wellington Regional Council NZ Historic Places Trust Department of Conservation Queen Elizabeth II National Trust

P.O.Box 11 646 For enquiries about archaeological sites Wellington Conservancy Regional Office contact your Regional Trust Office (see your Wellington P.O.Box 5086 P. O. Box 3341 local ohonebook) or contact: Ph: 04 384 5708 Wellington Wellington The Senior Archaeologist www.wrc.govt.nz Ph: 04 472 5821 Ph: 0508 QE2 TRUST (732 878) NZ Historic Places Trust www.doc.govt.nz www.nationaltrust.org.nz P.O.Box 2629 horizons.mw Wellington Private Bag 11 025 Kapiti Area Office Ph: 04 472 4341 Palmerston North P.O.Box 141 e-mail: [email protected] Ph: (free) 0508 446 749 Waikanae www.historic.org.nz www.horizonsmw.govt.nz Ph: 04 2961112

Kapiti Coast District Council Palmerston North Office

Private Bag 601 717 Tremaine Ave

Paraparaumu 11010 Palmerston North

Ph: 04 298 5139 Ph: 06 350 9700 www.kcdc.govt.nz

Horowhenua District Council

13 Bath Street

Private Bag 4002

Levin

Ph: 06 949 4949 P.O. Box 11 340 Level 9, Hewlett Packard Building 190 Willis Street Wellington, Tel: 04 385 9315 Fax: 04 384 3089

Boffa Miskell encourages design and restoration projects which reflect the spirit of our natural places. We are pleased to support this guide and help Kapiti and Horowhenua put these principles into practice.