Jane Nees BOP Regional Councillor www.janenees.co.nz

Following the removal of mangroves from the harbour margin at the end of Prestidge Road area at Aongatete, large numbers of godwits have returned to this area and are feeding there for the first time in a number of years.

This is great justification for the mangrove clearance undertaken by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council.

The removal of mangroves from more than 90 hectares on the margins of the Tauranga Harbour has been controversial, but has been widely supported by the communities that live adjacent to the harbour. The aim of the exercise was to restore the coastal environment back to the sand flat and salt marsh environment that existed before sedimentation and proliferation of mangroves changed the nature of the harbour margins.

Those that resisted the clearance maintained mangroves are an indigenous species and their existence marks a changing ecology and they have value as a habitat for birds and shellfish. Those that supported the removal, tell of lost birdlife and nesting habitats, loss of access and amenity value and loss of the valued sandy beaches which used to surround the harbour edge.

It may take a while for the mulch and stumps to completely disappear and for the mud trapped by the mangrove pneumatophores to be washed away by rain and tides, but the return of such a rare and valued species is very good to see. No wonder the locals are delighted.

If you have any views on this or any other issue, please phone 07 579 5150, email neesj@xtra.co.nz or visitwww.janenees.co.nz