Wadeson Island Enhancement Project
We've been beavering away behind the scenes on the Wadeson Island Enhancement Project — a Nature Economy Partnership with Cycle Journeys, alongside the Department of Conservation, Ngāti Waewae, Pōkeka Environmental, Development West Coast and Westland District Council. The first piece we get to share: a brand-new community track on the island!
Next up: Weed control, plant maintenance and track enhancement
Head down from 2:00pm - 4:00pm at Hokitika Rugby League Club clubrooms on Sunday, 8th of November!
About Us
Join us in protecting Wadeson Island's unique habitat! We focus on activities like planting, weeding, track maintenance, and fish monitoring.
We run monthly working bees, often on a Sunday. Times can vary by event. Other commitments and unfavourable weather sometimes move events to another day. We would love to have you on board! To receive updates about working bees, contact us using the form below.
This program is run by the Wadeson Island Conservation Trust. It is not run or funded by Conservation Volunteers New Zealand, the Department of Conservation, The Westland District Council, or The West Coast Regional Council. However, we would like to acknowledge all the conservation and beautification work that these and other organisations have put in over the years.
If you are interested in regular activities around Wadeson Island such as regular or large-scale work, reach out! We can make it happen.
Get in Touch
In The Media And References
[Scoop] Fresh Chapter In Wadeson Island Habitat Restoration
Large scale planting events like this are seen as a cost-effective way to reduce the impacts of flooding and erosion, drive community engagement and enhance habitat for native fauna and for future generations of island enjoyers.
[Scoop] From Wasteland To Wonderland: The Folks Behind The Remarkable Transformation Of Wadeson Island
The Wadeson Island restoration has been a labour of love. Over four years, CVNZ staff planted 12,000+ native trees, picked up 3.5 tonnes of rubbish, maintained walking tracks and created an additional 1 km of fish channels to give inanga safe places ...
[Conservation blog] Hokitika project receives major boost from Jobs for Nature
A collaborative conservation project in Hokitika is restoring the largest community greenspace and bringing back native habitat for birds and whitebait through the Jobs for Nature programme.
[Conservation Volunteers New Zealand] Wadeson Island Project, Hokitika
On the banks of the Hokitika River, close to the town Wadeson Island has been having an extensive facelift for the last three years.
[RNZ] Jobs for Nature scheme transforms Hokitika whitebait spawning area
A Jobs for Nature project is transforming what has been a weed-infested wasteland alongside the Hokitika River.
[Westland District Council] Wadeson Island habitat to support sustainable whitebait fisheries
Westland District Council and partners, with Jobs for Nature support, are restoring Wadeson Island’s whitebait habitat through channel works, waste removal, native plantings, and wetland upgrades—boosting threatened species while honouring local cultural and recreational ties.
[Westland Milk Products NZ] Whitebait Restoration
Conservation Volunteers NZ—backed by Westland Milk Products and DOC—is trialling small-scale wetland restoration on Wadeson Island, enhancing water channels and planting flax to boost inanga habitat while aligning with Westland Milk’s Hokitika River stewardship and inviting community volunteers to help refine the approach.
[YouTube] Regenerate Wadeson Island Hokitika
DOC’s Tim Shaw outlines the Wadeson Island Whitebait Habitat Enhancement Project, restoring Hokitika’s largest green space by excavating tidal channels and improving wetlands and tracks to rebuild habitat for inanga and other whitebait.
[RNZ] Conservation benefits
Creating safe spaces for wildlife to thrive means benefit for the local community too. This week, two stories on that theme.
[Westland Matters] Wadeson Island planting day
Staff from several local Jobs for Nature projects, including Sustainable Wild Whitebait Fishery and Weed Free Te Tai Poutini, and representatives from key stakeholders celebrated Conservation Week with planting action on Wadeson Island recently. About 70 people planted up to 2,000 locally eco-sourced native trees. As the trees grow and mature, they will help to keep the weeds away and return areas to bush. The event was hosted by the Department of Conservation, Conservation Volunteers New Zealand and MBC Environmental. Planters included workers from Westland District Council, West Coast Regional Council, Westland Milk Products and Development West Coast. You may have noticed lots of activity on Wadeson Island recently with the weeding, planting and track maintenance. It is all part of a collaborative project lead by Westland District Council to encourage the community to enjoy Wadeson Island as a nature and recreation space. More information can be found here. There…
[Stuff] Wāhine Toa fighting weeds on the West Coast
A group of women will remove weeds from about 30,000ha in Westland, in a programme aimed at getting young women back into the workforce.
[West Coast, New Zealand] West Coast students explore nature-based career opportunities
Students from Westland High, South Westland Area School, Papa Taiao Earth Care, and Te Hono O Nga Waka and John Paul II gathered at Wadeson Island Hokitika for an immersive event aimed at exploring nature-based careers
[John Paul II High School] Rangatahi Day out
I recently attended the 2024 Rangatahi Day Out on Wadeson Island in Hokitika.
[The Beehive] Working together to grow the West Coast
A project that has been crucial in allowing businesses to continue during the tourism downturn is among a number of initiatives to receive a boost from the Government’s Jobs For Nature programme, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says.
[Enviroschools] Impacted schools benefit from One Billion Trees funding
Toimata Foundation is now in the second year of a three year partnership with Te Uru Rākau to invest funding from the One Billion Trees initiative. The Enviroschools network made fantastic use of the
Wadeson Island Map
A leaflet map of Wadeson Island, featuring contemporary aerial imagery and some collaboration features.