Waikato Regional Council signs new partnership agreement

Waikato Regional Council has signed a new agreement with Waikato RiverCare Inc. for ongoing restoration efforts over the next five years.

Waikato Regional Council and Waikato RiverCare Inc. have worked together developing riparian projects on the lower Waikato River system for more than 17 years, successfully completing a number of projects between Taupiri and Rangiriri.

The updated agreement formalises the commitment both organisations share to work in partnership in establishing new projects and protecting completed projects. The agreement covers a period of five years with project funding aligned to the Waikato Regional Council’s 2015-2025 Long Term Plan. This year the council has confirmed funding of $80,000 to support restoration efforts by Waikato RiverCare Inc. on Waikato Regional Council land.

The agreement has already produced results, with the completion of the Opuatia project this September. It involved planting 10,000 native plants to create a buffer between farm land and the regionally significant peat wetland.

Plantings completed at Opuatia in September.

Waikato RiverCare Inc.’s Chairperson, David Klee is happy to see the partnership between the two organisations reaffirmed.

“The regional council has worked alongside Waikato RiverCare Inc. on a number of projects for many years and we look forward to developing this mutually beneficial relationship further,” he said.