Ecology students participating  in the Unitec Institute of Technology biodiversity restoration class have been visiting CUE Haven for the past several years in order to get a chance to do some first-hand observations of a restoration project in progress.  Because we have been planting since 2008, they can readily see different stages in the regeneration process and learn about the issues and challenges associated with each phase of the work.

Today, Dr. Wesley Webb, Lecturer in Biodiversity at Unitec came out with students Em, Jemma, Lucy, Muriwai, Renee, Rija, Ruiyue and Terilee for a field visit.  Also joining the group were our friends Paul and Dan. Dan had been Head of Environmental and Animal Sciences with Unitec and has been to CUE Haven many times. Since 2023 he has been Curator of Botany at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Mahrukh started off the session by giving the students the history and objectives of the CUE Haven restoration project.

Then Thomas talked a little more about the restoration plan and how it was executed.

It was a rainy winter day but it cleared up in time for the walk. Thomas gave a safety briefing and the group headed out.

As the group explored the bush, Thomas pointed out a number of features of the property and explained some of the challenges of the restoration project. 

We discussed weed and pest control and the positive effect that pest management has had on the natural regeneration process as well as native bird and animal life.

Walking near the boundary with the neighbouring farm, the students could see the impact of different land uses on the landscape and how farming practices have affected the land and activities at CUE Haven.

Dan and Paul both kept an eye out for interesting and unique features to point out to the students.  They identified Scleroderma fungi under the manuka and kanuka trees.

Continuing on to the top of the property, we had frequent stops along the way to observe various aspects of the regenerating bush and took some time to identify unusual plants. 

We took a small detour to Otakamaitu, to see the Maori rock pools which are evidence of past human habitation on this site.

There was so much interesting discussion on the walk that Thomas forgot to take many pictures.  But we made it all the way to the top of the property where the students could see surrounding properties, the Araperera River and Kaipara Harbour and get a sense of how CUE Haven was part of the wider landscape.

On the walk down we had more discussions about what the group observed. 

Once back at the cottage there was a quick debrief and discussion about opportunities for further research study at CUE Haven.

As always, we had a very enjoyable visit with the Unitec students.  We learn a lot from these visits and are always impressed with the enthusiasm and varied interests and knowledge of the Unitec students and staff.  Our thanks to Wesley for organising the visit. And many thanks to Dan and Paul for joining us and for your helpful input and feedback provided during the walk.  And of course a big thank you to the students for their enthusiasm and interest in the project. We look forward to having you all out to CUE Haven again soon.