The Kāpiti-Mana Branch covers an area west of the Tararua ranges from Porirua to Peka Peka and includes Paekākāriki, which was home to Captain Val Sanderson, founder of the New Zealand Native Bird Protection Society (which later became Forest & Bird).
Local Projects
Our five major restoration projects we have been involved in are at Kaitawa Reserve, the Waikanae River corridor and Greendale Reserve in Kāpiti, and Pāuatahanui Wildlife Reserve and Mana Island in Porirua. Their success can be seen by a large increase in bird activity and natural habitat in these areas.
Other projects we support include the restoration of native bush at Queen Elizabeth Park, Raumati, Pharazyn Reserve in Waikanae, and development of eco-corridors linking Kapiti Island to the Tararua ranges.
Meetings
Branch meetings are ordinarily held on the third Wednesday of the month, alternate months from February to November, from 7:10pm, at the
Waikanae Community Centre at 28-32 Utauta Street, Waikanae (map link).
All are welcome to attend.
Next Public Meeting: 16 October 2024 : Yolande Brophy of Te Rito Gardens - An innovative wetland restoration in Otaihanga
Please bring coins for raffle & koha.
We are looking for new committee members.
Get in touch for more info: kapitimana.branch@forestandbird.org.nz
Our branch's conservation focus
The major conservation opportunities facing Kāpiti are the protection of habitats (forests and wetlands) and the connections between habitats (eco-corridors) as land that was farmland is converted to residential. Examples are the land alongside Taupō Swamp, and around Ngā Manu. Another opportunity is the sensible use of what was Perkins Farm near Paekākāriki, and finally stopping the farming of peatlands in Queen Elizabeth Park. They need to be re-flooded to stop their substantial carbon emissions and then restored as wetlands. There are so many fantastic forests and wetlands in Kapiti and Mana that you could find one close to where you live.
In Porirua, Pāuatahanui Inlet and Porirua Harbour are gems, along with Taupō Swamp, and Mana Island.
We need to ensure that new developments improve rather than damage conservation outcomes, and keep working to become predator-free.
Get involved
We love volunteers! We welcome the involvement of people of all ages and backgrounds. This can take many forms from helping on the committee or at meetings, lobbying for changes to support our environment, fund-raising or participating in working bees.
Volunteering is good for the planet and good for your personal health. We keep an updated list of projects (including those mentioned above) and opportunities people can connect with. We will send this on request – email kapitimana.branch@forestandbird.org.nz. (it’s not online for privacy reasons.)
For the younger ones we have an active Kiwi Conservation Club with 150 members. An interesting programme of outings is offered locally.
There's also Forest & Bird Youth, and there's a Wellington hub for 14-25s to join.
Volunteering Opportunities
We love volunteers, and there are lots of other opportunities to volunteer.
Please email us for more details: kapitimana.branch@forestandbird.org.nz
Branch Secretary
Tom Pesendorfer
