12. Arapawaiti/Otaihanga Reach River Environmental Strategy River Environmental Waikanae

74 Figure 12: Arapawaiti/Otaihanga Reach 75 PART C: Protecting and Improving the River Corridor / Arapawaiti/Otaihanga Reach 12.1 Situation The Ecological Strategy identifies the ‘Arapawaiti’ site in this reach. The Arapawaiti site comprises On the north bank, this reach extends from Te both banks, but mainly the northern bank between Aorere Reach to the point where the dune comes the old cut-off meander downriver to the high close to the river (river cross section 50). This dune dune. The Ecological Strategy notes that the defines the inland part of the river, from the open diverse mosaic of natural estuarine landforms estuary landscape. This area, from the channel that (namely the prominent high dune and two unique runs in from El Rancho is part of the Waikanae wetland habitats being the lagoon and an oxbow) Estuary Key Native Ecosystem (KNE). GWRC is have potential for ecological restoration.79 working in partnership with KCDC and DOC to protect the biodiversity values 12.2 Progress

Waikanae River Environmental Strategy River Environmental Waikanae inherent in this area. Recommended actions included the protection of There is a backwater area with some wetland the Oxbow as an ecological area, rather than a plants - this is an oxbow in a former river meander recreational area. (XS 95, north bank). A significant restoration project has been undertaken to restore the area’s In 2009, the FWR obtained funding from the ecological values and enhance habitat for DOC’s Community Conservation Fund for the whitebait spawning. restoration of the Oxbow. This has contributed to achieving the recommendations from the Weed control on the northern bank has not only Ecological Strategy regarding protection and the included protecting the estuarine edge, but KCDC 2009 Strategy regarding restoration initiatives in in partnership with GWRC has also extended this location. Kāpiti Coast District Council and ecological weed control well beyond this area KERMT have since also become involved in the to include the riparian margins, dune faces, and restoration of the Oxbow. GWRC have upgraded dune slope buffers in this area. In addition, the the culverts between the river and the oxbow, to KCDC have been working with FWR and KERMT increase water levels. in controlling ecological weeds and restoration planting around the Northern Oxbow with The Management Plan for Otaihanga Domain was assistance of the Ministry of Environment funding. reviewed by KCDC in 2004. The Otaihanga Local Outcomes Statement was published in 2004 and On the south bank, the river berm is bounded updated in 2009. This contains recommendations at the upstream end of the reach by Otaihanga relating to the Otaihanga domain and boating Domain, which has a parkland character. club, as well as recommendations relating to other Further downstream, the river berm is narrow sections of the river. and is bounded by the main residential area of Otaihanga. At the lower end of the reach the tidal influence in the river marks the end of riverbank willow plantings. The Otaihanga oxbow (south bank) and surrounding land has high conservation values, as well as playing an essential role in flood risk management as a water storage area. Te Atiawa ki Whakarongotai note that this reach is of particular cultural significance as there are various mahinga kai sites and taonga species populations. There are also several wahi tapu sites in this area. The riverbanks and the oxbow in this reach of the river are spawning grounds for Inanga (whitebait). North bank oxbow has recently been restored Therefore, it is important that suitable conditions for spawning are maintained or enhanced.

79 Park, G, 1999, p. 27. 76 Otaihanga Domain. from MakoraRoadattheeasternboundaryof bridleway isnowviatheofficialbridleway link the landowner.Horseaccesstosouthbank been formalisedwithsignageinconsultation Access totheriver over private landfromtherehas eastern perimeteroftheDomaintoMakoraRoad. riders totheendofMakoraRoadandaround Domain. SignageattheDomaindirectshorse Horse ridingisprohibitedwithinOtaihanga Estuary walkways. which willeventually connectuptotheWaikanae Otaihanga DomainwiththeBoatClub, Pedestrian onlyaccessonthesouthbanklinks end andaconcretepipeontheeasternside. bank hasaservicevehicle bridgenearthewestern Otaihanga Domain.Theoxbowareaonthenorth bank viathesuspensionbridgeacrossriver at Weggery Drive withMakoraRoadonthesouth The sharedpathonthenorthbanklinks 12.4 Access Domain ontheSouthbankistobemaintained. The semi-ruralparklandcharacterofOtaihanga planting ofspeciesnative tothearea. have beenremoved aspartofpreparationfor Oxbow restorationproject,someofthesepines role aspartoftheriver system. As partofthe River Corridor.Thisinturnmaskstheoxbow’s affect visualaccessbetween theoxbowand roosting habitatforbirds.Thepinesdo,however, riverbank fortheirvisualquality,shelter,and The localresidentsvalue thepinesalongside the KCDC andcommunitygroups. high ecologicalvalues andisbeingrestoredby On thenorthbankoxbowatXS95-105has 12.3 VegetationManagement

natural values. should bekeptprincipallyasawalking areawith of recreationonthisside.Thissidetheriver beach inthenextreachareprincipalfocus on thenorthbank,asWaimanu Lagoonand Additional recreationfacilitiesarenotenvisaged covers managementofOtaihangaDomain. The OtaihangaDomainManagementPlan (2004) Facilities 12.5 Recreation Otaihanga Domainandoxbow planning stage.(See Appendix 1). Flood Protectionmustbeconsultedduringthe to prevent blockagestofloodflows,andGWRC should berestrictedtolowlyinggrassesandflaxes XS 90and100. Any newplantingintheseareas Corridor FlowPath hasbeen identifiedbetween reach) andXS90.Onthesouthbank,aRiver been identifiedbetween XS175(intheupstream On thenorthbank,aRiver CorridorFlowPath has river realignmentworks. south bankneartheboatingclub,alongwithsome protection usingrockriprapwas usedonthe Domain, alongitssouthernedge.Bankedge A floodwall hasbeen constructedatOtaihanga 12.7 on thenorthbank. restoration projectattheOxbowhasbeenerected Interpretation ofthewetland habitatsand 12.6 Interpretation Flood RiskManagement

77 PART C: Protecting and Improving the River Corridor / Arapawaiti/Otaihanga Reach 12.8 Recommended Actions for This Reach

12.8.1 Vegetation Management River cross section (XS) Recommended Actions80 Parties Involved

North bank

95 Protect the oxbow as an area of ecological significance, not a KCDC recreational area. GWRC

All areas Investigate, and where suitable, implement methods to improve GWRC whitebait spawning habitat Environmental Strategy River Environmental Waikanae 95 When the pines come to the end of their life, do not replant so that KCDC the oxbow has a more evident relationship to the river. Gradually GWRC replace the pines around the oxbow with suitable large natives.

90-175 Ensure that River Corridor Flow Paths are preserved. GWRC KCDC

All areas Recognise the particular significance of this area for tangata GWRC whenua and their interest in the in the management of this reach KCDC (see Section 2 of this Strategy)

River cross section (XS) South bank

All areas Foster an understanding of revegetation objectives and weed GWRC problems that can arise from garden rubbish and garden escapes KCDC for private landowners. Private Landowners

All areas Investigate and where suitable implement methods to improve GWRC whitebait spawning habitat.

90-100 Ensure that River Corridor Flow Paths are preserved. GWRC KCDC

All areas Recognise the particular significance of this area for tangata GWRC whenua and their interest in the in the management of this reach KCDC (see Section 2 of this Strategy)

105 Investigate methods for reducing the contaminant loading in water GWRC discharging from the holiday park duck pond and ‘Bridge Pond’ (located immediately north of the Otaihanga bridge).

12.8.2 Access River cross section (XS) Recommended Actions Parties Involved

70-90 Upgrade shared path on north bank to commuter standard KCDC between Weggery Drive and the suspension bridge to asphalt or concrete surface

80 Both the Environmental Strategy and Ecological Strategy support these recommendations. 78