28 February, 2024 The late summer malaise is setting in. There’s plenty of colour still around but everything is starting to look a little beaten up, akin to a boxer entering the final round. Our main focus is on deadheading and ’prettying up’ herbaceous plants with a healthy dose of weeding thrown in for good measure. The occasional downpour is giving us no respite from the wildflowers and lawns almost as if nature has a playful hand in keeping us on our toes. We’ve been cutting back
The team has been diligently preparing for the upcoming planting season. Weed control has been a top priority, focusing on tackling the usual suspects like lotus. Mulch has been ordered and will be applied in autumn to nurture the soil. In the Misty Knoll, there are plans for more support planting to enhance seasonal interest and improve soil structure. The Keiller Garden is looking vibrant, showcasing a stunning array of Asters, Helenium, and Rudbeckias in full bloom. The Vireya collection
Tūpare came alive to the sound of folk music, as about 1500 people packed the river flat for a free concert last month. Performing was local folk trio Turkey the Bird who have made a name for themselves on the New Zealand music scene for their unique sound and comedic personalities. ‘Token Kiwi’ band member Sol Bear Coulton was looking forward to introducing the band to local audiences at Tūpare. “Although we live in Taranaki we don’t play here often so it was cool to play for free to people
Here is where you can find information about the Pātea Catchment FMU. The Pātea Freshwater Management Unit (FMU) incorporates the entire Patea River catchment. It is made up of two distinct sub-catchments, one that drains from Taranaki Maunga and through the ring plain in the west, and the other, from the Eastern Hill Country. The Pātea Catchment is about one third mountain catchment, and two thirds hill country catchment. To the north, the Patea Catchment is bound by the similar but
Here is where you can find information about the Volcanic Ring Plain FMU. The Volcanic Ring Plain Freshwater Management Unit (FMU) is dominated by Taranaki Maunga and stretches from the Waihi Stream and Waingongoro River in the south, around the coast to the Waiongana River in the north. The FMU contains the largest urban area in the region, New Plymouth, along with coastal towns such as Ōākura, Ōpunake and Hāwera. The Volcanic Ring Plain is one of six proposed FMUs for Taranaki. The other five
Here is where you can find information about the Waitara Catchment FMU. The diverse Waitara Freshwater Management Unit (FMU) incorporates the entire catchment of the Waitara River. The catchment is made up of two distinct sub-catchments, one that drains from Taranaki Maunga and through the ring plain in the west, and the other from the Eastern Hill Country. The FMU is about one third mountain catchment, and two thirds hill country catchment. These sub-catchments converge approximately 9km
Here is where you can find information about the Coastal Terraces FMU. The Coastal Terraces Freshwater Management Unit (FMU) consists of small groundwater spring-sourced catchments that rise in the northern and southern coastal areas of the region, and drain directly to the coast rather than into larger rivers. This FMU is unique in that its catchments drain neither the Maunga nor Eastern Hill Country. While the majority of land in the Coastal Terraces is used for intensive dairy farming, the
Here is where you can find information about the Northern Hill Country FMU. The Northern Hill Country Freshwater Management Unit (FMU) stretches from the Onaero River catchment in the west, northeast to Mōhakatino and inland to the Waitara River catchment. Much of this landscape is covered in native forest, combined with a mixture of dry stock farming and exotic forestry. Urenui is the largest settlement in the FMU, with a population of around 500 people. The Northern Hill Country is one of six
Here is where you can find information about the Southern Hill Country FMU. The Southern Hill Country Freshwater Management Unit (FMU) covers most of the south east of our region. The FMU is split into a west and east sections by the Pātea Catchment, which forms its own FMU. The eastern section is heavily forested hill country which gives way to cleared valleys toward the coast. To the west, lower lying land is predominantly used for dairy farming. The coastal margins have their own small
We're excited to announce an important update regarding the Your Connector bus service. Over recent times, the Your Connector bus has experienced increased demand, especially during Monday mornings and Friday afternoons, leading to overcrowding concerns, particularly for our boarding school students. Recognising the significance of ensuring a safe and comfortable travel environment, we've taken swift action to address this issue. A new boarders' bus service will commence on Monday, 4 March and