between the mountain of Karioi and Aotea harbour
Toreparu Wetland.
The Toreparu wetland covers an area of 223 hectares which is fed by numerous tributaries, the principal ones being the Waimaori, Waitomotomo and Matahaehaea streams.
The Toreparu Wetland Restoration Project is working with hapū (Ngāti Whakamarurangi/Tainui) who have longstanding connections with Toreparu and its catchment. Ngāti Whakamarurangi/Tainui representatives work with surrounding landowners as well as Waikato District Council, the Department of Conservation, Waikato Regional Council, Waikato Tainui Taiao, Landcare Research and other community groups working in and around Karioi.
This restoration project has been led by Māhuru Wilcox and is supported by Ngāti Whakamarurangi/Tainui. Using mātauranga Māori and western science methodologies, a vision for restoration for the future has been developed.
“The Toreparu provides an essential role in the environment, filtering water that comes from a number of streams, ensuring clean and clear water when it reaches the sea. Swamps help reduce and hold sediment, and create a buffer which takes up excessive nutrients from the surrounding farmland runoff. All these things lead to ocean acidification and algal blooms if wetlands aren’t there to do their job. They also help buffer the effects of climate change by slowing water in floods, and holding water in droughts. Wetlands are amazing and I wish more people cared about them!” (Māhuru Wilcox)
Sharing restoration stories
Opportunities to connect more deeply.
Raglan Naturally Community Trust has supported the Toreparu Wetland Restoration Project to share their stories more widely. This has provided our wider community with opportunities to connect more deeply with the landscape around them.
Presentations by project researchers and hapū partners have been made to: Raglan Area School; the wider community as part of the Matariki ki Whāingaroa 2024 programme; and to local primary school staff in 2025 as part of their professional and learning development programme.
THE RAGLAN CHRONICLE
Spotlight on Toreparu Wetland.
I had the opportunity to learn about Toreparu wetland, a 223ha hidden ecological gem on the coast nestled between Karioi maunga and Aotea harbour, 20 minutes from Raglan. This is an intergenerational project that is in collaboration with hapū, freshwater experts, landowners, key organsations and the community.
Mahuru Wilcox a Raglan local and wetland specialist of Ngāti Ranginui and Ngāti Awa descent and Taruke Thomson hapu representative, Ngāti Whakamarurangi, shared their knowledge of Toreparu and their involvement in the work being undertaken.
