Nature is returning to Kirikiriroa Hamilton
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Native vegetation covers less than 2% of Kirikiriroa Hamilton, and many of the city's remaining ecosystems are under pressure. Across gullies, parks, lakes and along the awa, communities have spent years working to change that.
Nature in the City is Hamilton City Council's 30-year biodiversity strategy, aiming to increase native vegetation cover to 10% by 2050, restoring more than 1,000 hectares across the city.
In just 12 months, more than 60,000 native plants were planted across 32 events involving 3,341 volunteers. More than 100 private landowners are now actively restoring gully environments on their properties. The results are showing up in the skies above the city: tūī, kārearea and pīwakawaka are increasingly being spotted across Kirikiriroa.
The Endangered Species Foundation’s General Manager, Natalie Jessup, attended the Waikato Biodiversity Forum this week, where she heard firsthand about the impact these efforts are already having.
One of Hamilton's most significant restoration investments is nearing a major milestone. A predator-free fence at Te Kaaroaro Nature Precinct and Waiwhakareke is close to completion, with underground sections designed to stop rabbits burrowing beneath it. Once in place, it will create a protected sanctuary where native wildlife can recover.
Council speakers covered planting and restoration progress across the city, the impact of predator control on ecosystem regeneration, and gully restoration work. A highlight was the Kids in Nature project, connecting tamariki with native environments through hands-on planting.
Jesse Golden also shared insights into eBird, a citizen science platform that allows people to record bird sightings and identify biodiversity hotspots. Data collected through the app contributes to an international database that supports biodiversity monitoring and policy development.
The Foundation also caught up with Taiporutu Hauraki from Ngāti Hāua Mahi Trust, whose Māori-led native plant nursery is supporting large-scale restoration projects across the Waikato region. Taiporutu took away an Awhi Awa Tuna Kete for Rukumoana Marae, as part of ongoing efforts to reconnect communities with urban streams and ika taketake.
The forum was a reminder of the breadth of people and organisations working tirelessly on the ground, from Landcare Trust and Forest & Bird to Go Eco, neighbourhood groups, community leaders and local volunteers — and the wildlife returning to Kirikiriroa is proof of what is possible.
"In challenging times, stories like these matter. Collective action can genuinely bring native wildlife back into our cities," says Natalie.
