Wetlands Area
We have added some 500 plants to our wetland area during the 2006 planting season and included species originally found in the area such as flax, broadleaf, kahikatea, manuka, mahoe, wineberry, ribbonwood, and five-finger.
Our two-pond wetland was originally developed in 2003, but the floods of February 2004 wreaked havoc, especially on the lower pond which is used as a ‘safe’ kayaking area. Now the ponds are restored, the planting programme has been kicked back into life.
The site is important for highlighting the range of plants and animals that will re-colonise even smaller wetland areas. Today the Raukawa wetlands area not only boasts a large variety of plants it also provides a host environment where local wildlife can flourish. Frogs, eels, pukeko, kereru, tui, mallard ducks and various invertebrates are found in the wetlands area. The return of a range of bird species to the wetland is great, and provides interest and entertainment for the visitors to the centre.