Connecting, learning and getting inspired – a visit to Matuku Link
Bringing 31 people from 14 environmental community groups together for a behind-the-scenes look at one of West Auckland's inspiring community restoration projects.
RRE recently organised a behind-the-scenes field trip to Matuku Link, near Bethells Beach on Auckland's west coast.
Getting everyone there was part of the experience. Travelling together on the Mahu Express electric bus, with four convenient pick-up stops along the way, meant nobody had to worry about the driving. Instead, there was plenty of time to catch up, meet new faces, share experiences and make connections along the journey.
And that's really what these visits are all about. RRE provides opportunities for our environmental groups to get together, learn from others, exchange ideas and see what is happening beyond their own patches. Sometimes the best ideas come from simply having the opportunity to talk to someone who has tackled a similar challenge or achieved something you hadn't thought possible.
A very warm welcome to Matuku Link
Matuku Link is a 37-hectare community-led wetland and forest restoration project at Te Henga, on the west coast. Named after the endangered matuku-hūrepo (Australasian bittern), the project is restoring and protecting valuable wetland habitat and creating a safe corridor for native wildlife by connecting neighbouring conservation projects.
As well as its restoration work, Matuku Link offers hands-on environmental education, primarily for school children, and welcomes other groups for guided visits by arrangement.
We were warmly welcomed by Project Manager Annalily van den Broeke and Trustee John Sumich. The jug was on, so we all enjoyed a cuppa and a biscuit before taking our seats in the lovely little shed.
It was hard to imagine that this inviting space had once been an old barn that could almost have blown over in the wind! Now transformed into a snug, welcoming education centre, it includes a little shop, educational displays and a rather impressive life-sized wooden matuku-hūrepo sculpture. There was plenty to look at before we had even stepped outside.
A story of vision, persistence and community connections
The story of Matuku Link actually began well before the land was purchased.
Trustees John Sumich and John Staniland had their eye on the 37-hectare block from as early as 2006, with the idea of purchasing the landlocked property and adding it to the neighbouring Forest & Bird Matuku Reserve. The opportunity finally arose following the passing of its longtime owner, Henk van Steeden, in 2015.
Henk's family remembered his support for the idea of selling the land to a community group that would protect it from subdivision and look after its natural values. Following an enormous fundraising effort, the dream became a reality in 2016, when the Matuku Reserve Trust purchased the property.
Since then, the transformation has been remarkable.
The property includes five hectares of mostly flat wetland, with approximately one kilometre of accessible pathways and boardwalks, allowing visitors of all ages and abilities to experience this special environment.
And there are some wonderful stories behind how it all came together.
The old saying that it's not always what you know, but who you know, certainly comes to mind. Building relationships, making connections and being prepared to ask for help have played a big part in making Matuku Link what it is today.
Take the 21-metre bridge, for example. Donated by Fulton Hogan, who also cut it to size and transported it to the property! It's a great example of what can happen when organisations and businesses get behind a community project.
People power makes it happen
Like so many environmental groups, Matuku Link relies heavily on volunteers, but it has managed to tap into an incredible volunteer workforce.
From growing native plants in the nursery, collecting seed and weeding, to trapping, monitoring, building pathways, guiding visitors and supporting school education programmes, volunteers are involved in just about every aspect of the operation.
Since 2016, volunteers have contributed more than 20,000 hours of their time and expertise.
One of the things that stood out was how much thought and planning has gone into the restoration work. Strategic planning, ecological expertise and practical experience all come together, from choosing the right plants for different parts of the wetland to managing pests and creating accessible pathways.
Out exploring – two groups, plenty to discover
We split into two groups, with John leading one and Annalily the other, giving everyone the opportunity to hear the stories behind the restoration work and ask plenty of questions along the way.
There was so much to take in. From the nursery and planting areas to the wetland, waterways and native bush, every stop offered something new.
We heard about the importance of choosing the right plants for the right places, the challenges of managing weeds and the different techniques being used to restore the property.
The wildlife was another highlight. Eels were a particular favourite, with the opportunity to see them being fed and hear more about these fascinating creatures. There were also plenty of birds and insects making the most of the habitat.
With an extensive trapping and pest-control programme in place, rats and possums are kept to very low numbers, helping native plants and wildlife to thrive. Walking through the property, surrounded by birdsong, it was easy to appreciate the benefits of that ongoing work.
We also heard about the Great Matuku Muster, an initiative originally conceived by John. With an estimated 700 matuku-hūrepo remaining in New Zealand, gathering information about this elusive bird is incredibly important. The annual muster is growing in popularity, with people taking part right across the country to help build a better understanding of where these birds are found and how we can protect them.
After our tours, the two groups came together to enjoy a relaxed packed lunch before hopping back on the bus for the journey home. But first, we made one final stop to see the results of the crack willow eradication work. Crack willow can smother native wetland vegetation and create unsuitable habitat for mātuku and other secretive wetland birds. It was great to see the progress being made to give native plants and wildlife room to thrive.
Taking inspiration home
Perhaps the greatest value of the day was what people took away with them.
The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. People appreciated the opportunity to learn from an established restoration project, hear directly from those involved, share their own experiences and see what can be achieved through community commitment and collaboration.
Some came away with practical ideas about planting, weed management and pest control. Others made new connections, discovered potential funding opportunities or simply felt encouraged about the work happening in their own communities.
A few of the comments really capture the value of the experience:
"I gained some confidence and encouragement in our project."
"It was so great to see the big picture of what has been achieved in a relatively short period of time by volunteers and conservationists."
"Came away inspired by the ways in which they are connecting and engaging with the community, helped us envision what we could do."
And perhaps this sums up the value of these visits particularly well:
"Gives us a chance to look beyond our own day to day restoration challenges and see the challenges at Matuku Link being both overcome and ongoing."
There was also plenty of enthusiasm for doing it again, with suggestions for future visits including Tamahunga Forest, Ark in the Park, DOC-managed sites and projects involving Ngāti Manuhiri. One particularly interesting suggestion was an evening visit to Kawau Island to listen to and identify nocturnal bird calls, helping build confidence and interest in kiwi call listening.
Supporting our environmental community
At RRE, we know that supporting environmental groups isn't just about providing tools, funding or resources. It's also about creating opportunities for people to connect, share knowledge, build relationships and learn from one another.
Many of our groups are working through similar challenges, often independently and with limited resources. Getting out to see what other organisations are doing can provide fresh perspectives, practical ideas and the encouragement to try something new.
These visits are one of the ways RRE helps make those connections happen. By bringing groups together and facilitating access to projects and people they might not otherwise get the opportunity to meet, we can help strengthen our wider environmental community.
The trip was also an opportunity to give something back. With the bus cost subsidised through Lottery funding, and contributions from those attending, RRE was pleased to make a $690 donation to Matuku Link in recognition of the time, knowledge and hospitality generously shared with our group.
A huge thank you to Annalily, John and the Matuku Link team for welcoming us, sharing their stories and giving us such a wonderful insight into their work. And thank you to everyone who came along and helped make the day such a great opportunity to connect.
We're already looking forward to seeing where our next visit takes us!
Find out more about Matuku Link: https://matukulink.org.nz/
Watch a short clip here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1DScbvyHaU/
