Restoration of the wetland on Whangaparāoa College’s ground is a BIG job! It is a 3.5 Ha site which includes a significant wetland area. The wetland is heavily infested with ecological weeds including moth plant, woolly nightshade, pampas grass, giant reed, Japanese honeysuckle and many more. Once restored, it will be a stunning piece of native habitat. Since 2020, AC Healthy Waters has been supporting the college to restore the grounds with the biggest chunk of works being undertaken by an eco-contractor. This work has involved the removal of a range of ecological weeds, planting and mulching native plants.  

The working bees are focused on tackling the environmental weeds – this involves using a pruning saw and herbicide gel. Native seedlings are abundant underneath the weeds,  just waiting for their opportunity to grow into native habitat.  Everyone is welcome, no experience is needed. 

Restore Hibiscus and Bays has been involved since 2021, supporting the removal of ecological weeds and native planting through regular Year 7 student workshops.  The current kaitiaki student group is lead by Julia from RHB and Matthew Cattin from Whangaparāoa College who meet on a fortnightly basis during the school term. They have already made quite an impact by removing an abundance of moth plants, giant reed, woolly nightshade, wattles and gorse with the students displaying an incredible amount of energy and dedication.   

In late 2023, AC Healthy Waters, Sustainable Schools and RHB talked with the college leadership and Head of Biology and Enviroschools lead Maria Sinclair about engaging the community in regular working bees at the school, with the first one scheduled for November 2023. We are now running community Wetland Working Bees on the first Sunday of each month from 9 – 11am. These are co-run by RHB’s ecological restoration advisor Deborah Colson and WGP College’s Maria Sinclair and are open to students, their families and the wider community. At the March working bee, STAMP (Society Totally Against Moth Plant) joined forces with us to tackle some huge moth plant infestations around the school boundary and on private properties bordering the school. In April, we went into the wetland and made a good start on a huge grove of large woolly nightshade trees and gorse, and lots more moth plant. We were serenaded by pīwakawaka and riroriro in our work. 

Everyone is welcome at the working bees. No previous experience required. Wear old clothes, with arms and legs covered (insects, scratches, moth plant sap), sturdy boots/shoes, and dress for the weather. Bring gardening gloves (if you have them) and drinking water. RHB provide some welcome snacks at the end and all of the tools. 

On the first Sunday of each month, meet us outside the school’s main reception at 9am. If you have any questions, please email Deborah  or call 028 4142505.