Ōhope resident Jo Steens stands on the fresh stump of one of the pōhutukawa felled in August 2023 during an Ōhope Beach Golf Links working bee. Photo / Troy Baker
What began as a regrettable error is being transformed into a flourishing environmental legacy at Ōhope Beach Golf Links. Following the accidental clearing of native vegetation in 2023, the club has wholeheartedly embraced a comprehensive remediation project to restore the Ōhope Spit, an area of significant indigenous biodiversity.
A Growing Restoration Effort
The club has completed its first year of a staged three-year planting plan. Led by member Kara Ryall, a dedicated team of volunteers visits the dunes monthly to weed and water the new growth. To ensure the highest survival rates, the team has implemented a meticulous tracking and numbering system for the plantings.
Year One Planting Success:
80 Pōhutukawa: The centerpiece of the restoration.
40 Additional Natives: Including Karo, Taupata, Cabbage trees, and Ngaio.
Strategic Learning: By monitoring which species thrive in different dune elevations, the club is refining its strategy for future planting seasons.
Golf club members take part in a watering day, carrying buckets of water to each of the new trees planted throughout the dunes. Photo / Supplied
Long-Term Commitment
The project is not just about immediate replanting; it is a 10-year commitment to the land. Under the guidance of the Whakatāne District Council, the club’s restoration plan includes:
Staged Planting: Continuing through 2026.
Maintenance: Ongoing rabbit suppression and invasive weed control.
Monitoring: Care will continue until the new trees reach a height of at least 2 meters.
A Positive Outlook
The community response has been overwhelmingly supportive. Resident Jo Steens, who initially advocated for the area’s protection, now sees the project as a “fantastic legacy,” envisioning a future pōhutukawa arboretum.
Club General Manager Ryan Walker emphasized that the club is passionate about this restoration, turning a past mistake into a permanent environmental asset that will enhance the spit for generations to come.