June 10, 2016
Kaituna rediversion to restore motu
Trustees and whanau are holding a ceremony today to mark the start of a project to restore Papahikahawai, an island in the Maketu estuary that was joined to the mainland by the diversion of the Kaituna River 60 years ago.
Papahikahawai blocks trustee Wharekonehu Te Moni says owners were opposed to the original diversion.
The land has been grazed for dairy cows and there is extensive erosion.
On Sunday, whanau will start a 10-year project to replant the island with native vegetation and later in the year the Bay of Plenty Regional Council will redivert the Kaituna River.
Mr Te Moni says owners hope the land may have future tourism potential.
The restoration project is expected to rejuvenate the surrounding estuary, which is known as Ongatoro.
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