Maketu Ongatoro Wetland Society
Society dedicated to the Maketu Wetland Society
Newdicks Beach is an area of coastal cliffs, dune land and beach located to the east of Okurei (Town Point), Maketu. The unique topography of the area means there are a variety of habitats within the coastal zone.
There is a range of native fauna found at Newdicks, one of the most popular being New Zealand fur seals which can nearly always be seen sunning themselves on rocks, or lazing around in the shallows.
Unfortunately, a high prevalence of pest plants and animals are impacting the area, so in March 2014 a group of locals, including Maketū Ōngātoro Wetland Society volunteers, made an Earth Hour pledge to start cleaning up Newdicks Beach.
With the support of BOPRC, WBOPDC, DOC and Landowners, the Newdicks Beach Biodiversity Management Plan launched in July 2015. Great progress has been made in the zones along Newdicks Beach such as:
Baseline monitoring of the ecology of these zones is carried out regularly so that we can study the effect of our work on native flora and fauna species such as shore skinks, dotterels, oystercatchers, and invertebrates.
We run regular working bees at Newdicks which are always well attended by enthusiastic people willing to give up their time to restore their local beauty spot.
The beach is also frequented by the local schools, including as part of the MOWS education program. The tamariki help with important work such as planting native species, studying the fauna, and clearing up rubbish.
The beach is a favorite place for many of the local people, and a place of cultural significance, so it is vital that we preserve it for future generations.