Trust Manager Suky Thompson updated the Regenerating Banks Peninsula forum in Diamond Harbour on Trust activities. “I was impressed by the turnout from Diamond Harbour”, says Suky, “and it was an honour to share the floor with 3 other excellent speakers”.
Koukourārata elder Peter Ramsden opened the forum with a karakia and encouraged residents to come to Koukourārata (Port Levy) and see the newly covenanted area and other projects in progress.
Jeremy Agar invited people to get involved Summit Road Society’s co-ordinated community based pest control program.
Pete Ozich’s remarkable photos showed how Purau Reserve along the cliffs between Stoddart Point and Purau has transformed from a banana passionfruit smothered horror to a beautiful native reserve after his 5 years slogging away at removing this rapacious weed. However, lack of native seed sources in Diamond Harbour means the diversity of species naturally regenerating is limited suggesting some planting in the area is needed to increase variety.