05/06/2026
We had a wonderfully informative and inspiring wetland wānanga with Dr. Rebecca Eivers this week! It was fantastic to collaborate with the Guardians of Tūtira and Maungaharuru Tangitū Trust. We had an awesome turnout including local farmers, weavers, community and hapū members, and even a risk mitigation PhD student.
Dr. Eivers shared that the benefits of wetlands really depend on where you are, what you have, and who you are. Because it’s so person- and site-specific, there’s no single "most important" feature, but here are some of the incredible ways wetlands support us:
🌾 Support biodiversity: They provide vital habitats for our native fish, birds, and plants — many of which are endangered or threatened. When they are flourishing, they are truly beautiful spaces to be proud of.
🌧️ Slow down water & mitigate floods: Wetlands act like giant sponges that swell, hold, and spread water as it moves down the catchment, while the plants work to slow the flow. The stats around this are incredible — in some cases, wetlands can reduce peak flood levels by up to 80% and buy downstream communities precious time to respond.
⛰️ Protect the land: They play a huge role in stopping or reducing slopes from slipping and slumping.
🚜 Sink sediment: They catch moving sediment, though this does need to be managed and cleared over time. If you are planning a wetland for this function, you'll want to ensure there is good digger access! On the bright side, the sediment you clear out makes for excellent fertilizer.
🧪 Filter nutrients: They trap and reduce nutrient runoff, which means fewer pest weeds, fewer toxic algae blooms, and cleaner waterways downstream. We definitely all brushed up on our chemistry knowledge during this part!
A huge thank you to everyone who came along, shared their perspectives, and contributed to such a great day of learning together.
