Planting the Saltwater Creek

Overview

Restoring the embankments of the Saltwater creek as it meanders through the farm land adjacent to the factory where Customwood is produced was a long held dream for many employees. In July 2010 a proposal was put in front of Daiken New Zealand Directors and it was agreed that employees and the company will work together in a restoration plan.

The plan consisted in fencing the margins of the creek and planting native bush species. We received an Environment Canterbury grant towards offsetting the cost of fencing material. More than a thousand plants were purchased from local nurseries and more plants were donated by staff and local supplier "New Beginnings" Nursery.  
The planting was an effort of Daiken staff volunteers and their families.

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The Land and the Creek

The farmland surrounding the industrial site is crossed by the Saltwater creek; a water course of regional and traditional significance. The total length of the creek and southern tributary within Daiken New Zealand boundary is approximately 2700 metres. The land is used for pasture and silage produce and occasionally is used for grazing sheep. The landscape is typical rural farmland with stands of poplars and willows. Most of the Creek's banks are not planted at all.

There is a picturesque section of the Creek, totally unplanted, where it twists and turns amongst steep banks. This section stretches from Beatties road downstream for about 560 metres. We called this area "the Island" as the Creek and a tributary form a triangular island with Beatties road as one of the sides.

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Working plan and progress

We researched a variety of information and "how to guides" available from Environment Canterbury and other sources regarding planting techniques and plans, plant species from the area, maintenance, etc.

The first task was to fence the margins of the creek and to establish a "planting strip".
Then in the spring of 2010 we planted nearly 1000 plants along the southern tributary.
Finally the creek was fenced on the North side in autumn 2011 and an extra 1000 plants panted.
Species include: Carex, flax, cabbage tree, ribbon-wood, kowhai, coprosmas, hebes and other natives.   

The plan will continue along the embankments during the spring of 2011 and it will continue for the next few years until the Creek once again becomes a native habitat.