Water & Habitat Protection
Water
Both land blocks have considerable water resource in underground aquifers, springs and surface waterways.
Rangihamama
Approximately 45% of waterways on this block are fenced off to exclude stock. The riparian area is vegetated with grasses and flax. As development is set to occur on Rangihamama, protection of the waterways will be one of the priorities for this development.
Omapere
Approximately 40% of waterway on this block are fenced off including the Lake riparian strip and the Utakura Stream. Some of the unfenced areas are within the pine plantations and so have shading and are excluded from stock damage for most parts of the year. In winter breeding cows may graze these pine blocks.
Mudfish
Within the buffer zone and waterways contributing to Lake Omapere, the Lake outlet, Waihoanga stream and Utakura Stream strong populations of the native mudfish can be found. This endemic species survived the recent Northland droughts and are more prevalent now than they were 10 years ago when the initial surveys were carried out.
Eel
Rangihamama has waterways well known among whanau as eel habitat. Omapere also has historic eel reserves (nga wai tuna) used by whanau. These areas will be protected for the future. Native Wood Pigeon: Both blocks have good populations of the native wood pigeon due to the availability of food.
Karaka
Native bush fragments on both farms hold substantial populations of Karaka (nga Rahui Karaka) and other bird reserves (nga mahinga manu). These reserves provide a valuable food source as well as habitat for the birds.
Kiwi
This national bird and taonga has been reported surviving on Rangihamama, south of the Rangihamama road entrance. The reported habitat is covered in boulders and emerging podocarp forest. It is planned to protect this area (approximately 8 hectares) while developing Rangihamama into a dairy operation.
Any enquiries regarding ORT please contact us.