When the devastating June floods swept through Tasman, they reshaped our landscapes and challenged the resilience of our communities. Riverbanks collapsed, wetlands filled with silt, and habitats were left vulnerable. But from this upheaval came a powerful response… a wave of community-led restoration.
Over the past several months, Tasman Bay Guardians has worked alongside volunteers, landowners, iwi, and catchment groups from Waimea to Golden Bay, helping our natural spaces recover and rebuild. What began as urgent flood relief has grown into one of our most wide-reaching restoration efforts yet.
Across the Region: What We’ve Achieved Together
Since June, our team has facilitated:
🌱 40 working bees supporting flood repair and ecological restoration
🙌 56 dedicated volunteers giving time, energy, and local knowledge
⏱️ 230 volunteer hours helping flood-affected ecosystems recover
🌿 28 native restoration sites restored, stabilised, or supported post-flood
From replanting washed-out stream banks to clearing debris and re-guarding young native trees, each working bee has helped strengthen Tasman’s natural resilience.
From Crisis to Collaboration
The most inspiring part of this work has been the people. Volunteers turned up ready to work, often in gumboots still caked in mud, bringing determination, skills, and a sense of community. Catchment groups offered invaluable local expertise, guiding decisions on the ground to make restoration fast, effective, and meaningful.
Together, we’ve given rivers, wetlands, and coastal margins the chance to heal.
The Impact: What’s Changing on the Ground
Our flood-recovery mahi has already begun to show real results:
- Streambanks that were stripped bare now have young native plants taking root.
- Wetlands scoured by floodwaters are regenerating with new vegetation.
- Īnanga and other species have new habitat’s to spawn in this coming season.
- Communities feel more connected to the rivers and landscapes they’re helping restore.
Every working bee, every planted seedling, and every hour donated has helped rebuild ecological resilience after one of Tasman’s most damaging weather events.
Gratitude to Those Who Made This Possible
A restoration effort of this scale relies on deep community support. Our heartfelt thanks go to:
- Our incredible volunteers — your hard work and enthusiasm made every site greener and stronger.
- Catchment groups and landowners — your leadership, knowledge, and access made restoration possible.
- Funders, sponsors, and grant providers — your support kept plants in the ground, tools on hand, and the restoration efforts running smoothly, heartfelt gratitude goes out to The Lotteries Commission, Bunnings and Mitre 10!
- The wider Tasman community — thank you for standing with us as we rebuild and restore our region.
Flood recovery is just the beginning. As new plantings grow, waterways stabilise, and communities stay engaged, the foundation we’ve built this year will support long-term environmental resilience across Tasman.
We’re proud of the work achieved from Waimea to Golden Bay, and even prouder that it was powered by community hands and community heart.
Together, we aren’t just repairing damage, we’re restoring the health, strength, and future of Tasman’s natural world.
If you would like to join us for our last 2 working bees, please reach out to: [email protected]