Keen gardeners are being invited to a backyard growers workshop next Wednesday to help support the Thomsons Creek wetland project in the Manuherikia catchment.

The 5ha wetland was part of the Thomsons Catchment Project constructed from scratch after receiving funding from the Ministry for the Environment’s Jobs for Nature fund.

Now renamed the Orkney wetland in honour of the McLeod’s farm that it’s situated on, the new name reflected the Scottish origins of the original settlers who came out to New Zealand to farm the land.

Managed by the Manuherika Catchment Group, the wetland was also protected by a QEII National Trust covenant, after being signed over in October 2024.

Thomson project manager Nicola McGrouther said they had over 40,000 native plants in the ground, and rare birds using the wetland as their home. 

The idea for the growers workshop was to find people in the community that were interested in becoming involved with the wetland project - whether that be contributing five plants, 20 or even 50.

“It’s something a little bit different and there may be some great gardeners out there who don’t necessarily have a big piece of land.”

Keen growers would be taught how to grow native plants at home ready for the wetland, and be provided pots, potting mix and seedlings.

When they’re ready, growers can either bring them out to the wetland or wait until they organise a community planting day.

Nicola said the group was also currently working on a new walkway to the top of the wetland that opens in April.

Anybody who can’t make the workshop but still wanted to be involved with planting, can text 027 493 9500.

RSVP to the workshop by sending an email to: [email protected]

Visit mcg.org.nz/backyardgrowers for more info.