Waipuna Wetland Restoration
Mangateretere sub-catchment | Karamū River Catchment
A small natural wetland at 271 Brookvale Road, Mangateretere has been restored as a nature-based solution (NbS) to support source water protection for Havelock North. Located upstream of the Havelock North drinking water bores, the site sits within a highrisk groundwater recharge zone where surface water and groundwater systems are closely connected.
The project focuses on restoring a naturally spring fed wetland to strengthen its ability to filter water, support biodiversity, and reduce contaminant movement through the wider catchment.
Why this site matters
Wetlands of this type are now rare, with only around 4% of historic wetland extent remaining in Hawke’s Bay. This site retains pockets of indigenous sedgeland, including rautahi (Carex geminata) and umbrella sedge (Cyperus ustulatus), within a landscape that is otherwise largely modified and dominated by productive land use.
Its location is particularly significant. The Brookvale Road bores were central to the 2016 Havelock North drinking water contamination event, which highlighted the vulnerability of connected groundwater systems. This makes the restoration of natural filtration functions here both locally important and nationally relevant.
Our approach
Restoration work is focused on supporting the wetland to function as a living filter within the landscape. We have
Engaged with mana whenua, landowners, and the local community
Removed invasive weeds and woody species
Re established native sedgeland and wetland vegetationPlanted species such as Carex, Juncus, Phormium, and kahikatea
Enabled predator control to support native birdlife and nesting habitat
The design draws on both ecological science and mātauranga Māori, recognising wetlands as living systems that support water quality, biodiversity, and cultural wellbeing.
Nature-based function
Once the plants establish, the wetland will help:
Slow and intercept surface runoff
Reduce sediment, nutrient, and microbial loading
Improve filtration before water reaches hydraulically connected groundwater
Support habitat for native birds and invertebrates
Contribute to ecological corridors across the landscape
In this way, the wetland operates as a low-impact, nature-based intervention within an intensively used agricultural and horticultural catchment.
Learning and monitoring
This project is also designed as a demonstration site to better understand how small restored wetlands function in productive landscapes.
Monitoring will track:
Native plant survival and establishment
Changes in water quality indicators over time
Weed pressure and ecosystem recovery
Bird use and biodiversity response
Effectiveness of predator control
Drone imagery and fixed photo points will be used to document change and support long term learning.
A demonstration for the wider catchment
Beyond restoration at a single site, Brookvale Road is intended as a practical example of how targeted, small-scale interventions can contribute to wider catchment resilience.
It demonstrates how working with natural systems can help protect drinking water sources, restore biodiversity, and support productive land use within one of New Zealand’s most intensively used landscapes.
