Maketū Ōngātoro Wetland Society

Maketū Ōngātoro Wetland Society (MOWS) is a community conservation group that looks to conserve, protect and restore the native biodiversity of the lower Kaituna River, Maketū Estuary, Waihi Estuary, and the surrounding area. The work started in 2009 and is ongoing to the indefinite future. Read more about our history here.

Our conservation initiatives and ecological restoration efforts currently focus on the following areas: Maketū Spit, Newdick’s Beach, Dotterel Point Pukehina, Waihi Estuary and wetland, Papahikahawai Island, Pukehina Esplande Reserve, and the lower Kaituna river. However, our focus and operations are continually expanding.  Click here to read more about our outcomes. 

Our services include animal pest control, plant pest control, biodiversity monitoring, and habitat restoration. MOWS also runs a very successful education programme in local schools throughout Te Puke, Maketū, Paengaroa, Pongakawa and Pukehina.