The construction in 2008-2010 of the new section of SH60 known as Te Mamaku Drive offered an opportunity for the the Mapua and District Community Association’s to restore the Dominion-Chaytor streams area to some resemblance of the original estuary to swamp forest vegetation sequence, an area that been identified by both the Waimea County Council and DOC as an ideal place for a lowland swamp forest restoration project. Remnants of ancient felled Kahikatea and Pukatea trees were discovered in the Dominion flats area during the bypass construction. The giant trees were once a dominant feature in the area and the word Māpua” is Maori kupu  meaning “fruitful” and “abundant”, a reference to the fruiting stage of the kahikatea tree. The multicoloured “māpua” berries are favourite food for tui and kereru, but were also a delicacy for Maori.

The construction of Te Mamaku Drive involved the movement of very large quantities of clay and fill material and resulted in adverse impacts on the natural  environment of the area. However it  offered an opportunity to

a. Repair damage to the Waimea Estuary interface caused by the design and

construction of the highway.

b. Repair damage to the streams and wetland habitat in the Dominion Stream area.

c. Protect the Chaytor Stream system from its source in the Chaytor Wetland all the way to the Waimea Estuary, the South Island’s biggest estuary and one of the most important nationally.

Eight species of native fish were found in this stream system prior to the bypass construction, including giant kokopu, these fish passaging from the saltwater in the estuary to these wet and swampy areas.  Replanting native forest on the surrounding land has improved the water quality and provided shade and habitat for the native fish.

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Through the hard work of the local community lead by Helen and Neville Bibby, the area is being replanted with the native plants that were typical of the original wetland of the area, the results of which are evident in the accompanying photos.

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The dream is to have Kahikatea trees in a forest at the “gateway” to Mapua making a striking and meaningful entrance to the village.