News

Dune planters at the iconic Hamilton’s Gap west coast beach were dismayed recently to see that bikers had been ignoring community signs and were driving over, up and around the sensitive dunes and plantings our volunteers have been tending for over five years. In this way, in the space of just a few minutes, careless bikers can destroy the work of years. Nature simply can’t compete. Luckily, the damage wasn’t great - but what about next time?

Hamilton’s Gap / Waimatuku is a dramatic, windswept black sand beach, loved by many - locals and visitors alike. Awhitu Peninsula Landcare volunteers have been attempting to plant the fragile foredunes with pingao, spinifex and other native species. The ability of these plants to trap sand and build up the height of the dunes has amazed us all. In the space of a few years, the plants have built up 3-metre high dunes. Incredible to see nature in action like that over such a short time frame.

Our protective fence has been buried three times!

Once again, many locals turned up to help plant another few thousand plants. The weather was magic - still and warm. We couldn’t have been in a better place and it sure felt good to be alive, bike damage or not.

Back at the Pollok community hall after the planting, another wonderful volunteer had the tea and coffee ready and served us Adam’s famous cheese rolls, and Leonie’s melt-in-your-mouth scones with cream and jam. What a way to finish the day.

Grateful thanks to all. (Except the bikers!)