The objectives of the Maketu Ongatoro Wetland Society (MOWS) are to support, encourage and engage in the conservation and ecological restoration of the Lower Kaituna River, Ongatoro/Maketu and Waihi harbours and their associated ecosystems.
Our Achievements:
- Maketu has been declared an Important Bird Area (IBA) by Birdlife International.
- We are managing four long term Biodiversity Management Plans (BMPs)
- We have ensured the ongoing successful breeding of the endangered northern New Zealand dotterel population
- We have reduced the number of mammalian pest animals on the spit
- We are controlling most of the invasive weed species on Maketu Spit
- We have developed an ongoing programme of replanting native species at all our sites
- We have discovered four new or undescribed species of invertebrate
- We have developed an environmental education programme with Maketu and other local schools.
- Dunes Trust of New Zealand award for Best Ecological Restoration Project 2011
- Western Bay of Plenty TrustPower Community Awards – Supreme Winner 2011
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