A small addition is making a big difference at Bullock Creek, with a new power box recently installed on site.

After a long wait, our volunteers and contractors can now charge tool batteries while they work, helping restoration and maintenance tasks run more efficiently. Just as importantly, we can finally boil the jug for a well-earned cuppa during volunteer sessions!

We are incredibly grateful to Te Rūnanga o Moeraki for generously allowing us to connect to the cottage power supply. Their support will make day-to-day work at Bullock Creek much easier as we continue restoring and caring for this special urban wetland.

Kā mihi nui to Te Rūnanga o Moeraki for helping make this possible.

Friends of Bullock Creek is currently updating the signage along our boardwalk to include the new landscape plan developed by All Elements Outdoor Construction.

The detailed map will give visitors a clear picture of our long-term vision for Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs, including the restoration work, planting and improvements we intend to complete across the site.

The signage is still a work in progress, but once installed, it will help visitors better understand the project and see how each stage of work contributes to the wider restoration of this special wetland.

Recent extreme weather has highlighted how quickly heavy rainfall can affect our waterways. When rain runs across roads, driveways, roofs and gardens, it can collect sediment, rubbish, oil, chemicals and other pollutants before entering the stormwater system.

Unlike household wastewater, stormwater is generally not treated before it reaches local streams, wetlands and lakes. This means anything washed into a roadside drain may eventually make its way into waterways such as Bullock Creek, affecting water quality and the plants and wildlife that depend on it.

There are several simple ways our community can help:

• Keep leaves, grass clippings and rubbish out of gutters and stormwater drains.

• Avoid washing paint, chemicals, detergents or dirty water into outdoor drains.

• Wash vehicles on grass or at a commercial car wash, where wastewater can be properly managed.

• Secure rubbish and recycling bins before strong winds or heavy rain.

• Reduce the use of fertilisers and garden chemicals, particularly when rain is forecast.

• Maintain planted areas around your property to help slow runoff and capture sediment.

• Report any spills, discoloured water or unusual smells in local drains and waterways to the appropriate authority.

Healthy waterways begin well beyond the creek itself. Small actions around our homes, gardens and streets can collectively make a meaningful difference, especially as intense rainfall events become more frequent.

By keeping stormwater drains clear of pollutants, we can all help protect Bullock Creek and the wider environment for wildlife and our community.

Friends of Bullock Creek is incredibly grateful to Otago Fish & Game for their generous $10,000 grant towards the ongoing restoration of Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs.

As the landowners of this special wetland, Otago Fish & Game have long been supportive of our vision to restore and enhance the site for native wildlife and the wider community. Their latest funding will help us continue important restoration work, including weed control, native planting, habitat enhancement and maintaining the infrastructure that enables our volunteers to make a lasting difference.

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to protecting and improving one of Wānaka's unique freshwater ecosystems. With the support of Otago Fish & Game, alongside our dedicated volunteers and other funding partners, we are steadily transforming Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs into a healthier, more resilient habitat for native birds, insects and aquatic life.

We sincerely thank Otago Fish & Game for their continued confidence in Friends of Bullock Creek and for investing in the future of this remarkable wetland.

Friends of Bullock Creek would like to extend our sincere thanks to Wānaka Greenwaste for generously accepting green waste from our restoration work free of charge.

Every volunteer session results in trailers full of invasive weeds, exotic shrubs and other vegetation being removed from the site. Having a local business willing to support our work by providing free disposal helps us direct more of our funding towards on-the-ground restoration and conservation efforts.

Community partnerships like this play an important role in the success of Bullock Creek's restoration. We're incredibly grateful to Wānaka Greenwaste for backing our volunteers and helping us create a healthier habitat for native plants, birds and freshwater species.

Thank you for your continued support of Bullock Creek and our community.

Friends of Bullock Creek is delighted to thank Outside Sports Wānaka for their generous $2,000 donation towards the restoration of Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs.

As a proud participant in 1% for the Planet, Outside Sports contributes a portion of its annual sales to environmental organisations working to protect and restore the natural world. Their support for Friends of Bullock Creek reflects their strong connection to the outdoors and commitment to caring for the landscapes that make our region so special.

This donation will support ongoing restoration work at the wetland, including native planting, weed control and habitat enhancement, helping Bullock Creek continue to thrive for local wildlife and the wider community.

We’re incredibly grateful to Outside Sports Wānaka for choosing to support our work and investing in the future of this treasured Wānaka wetland.

Over the past two months, Friends of Bullock Creek volunteers have been focused on tackling some of the site's most persistent invasive weeds, with significant progress made in removing ivy throughout the reserve.

To support ongoing management, ivy infestations have been mapped against the site's Landscape Plan, helping volunteers prioritise future work. Larger infestations, including those beneath the boardwalk and along the Stone Street boundary, have been covered with heavy-duty polythene. This method suppresses regrowth by blocking sunlight and reduces the need for herbicides, providing a more environmentally sensitive approach to weed control.

Alongside the ivy programme, volunteers have been clearing exotic trees and shrubs, particularly cotoneaster and blackberry, to prepare new areas for native planting in 2027. During spring and summer 2026, these sites will undergo follow-up "cut and paste" treatment, targeting any remaining live stumps and stems to prevent regrowth before restoration planting begins.

While weed control isn't always the most visible part of restoration, it's one of the most important. Every invasive plant removed creates more space for native species to flourish and brings Bullock Creek another step closer to becoming a healthier, more resilient wetland ecosystem.

The 2026 planting season is well underway at Bullock Creek, with volunteers already planting more than 400 native plants across the restoration site.

Our nursery is also thriving, with over 600 eco-sourced native plants waiting for the right conditions to be planted over the coming months. Some of the youngest seedlings will be held over summer to give them more time to establish before being planted in 2027.

With more planting days ahead, we're on track to achieve our goal of 1,000 new native plants in the ground this season.

Every plant contributes to restoring habitat for native birds, insects and freshwater species, bringing Bullock Creek one step closer to a healthy, resilient wetland ecosystem.

A heartfelt thank you to all of our volunteers who continue to make this work possible.

Friends of Bullock Creek is taking exciting steps towards growing even more locally sourced native plants for future restoration projects.

Thanks to Arne Cleland, who has eco-sourced native seed for the project, we're now exploring opportunities to have our plants grown locally. Discussions are underway with Te Kākano and Matukituki Natives to investigate local propagation from 2026 onwards.

Using eco-sourced seed helps ensure plants are well adapted to local conditions while maintaining the genetic integrity of native species in our area.

Combined with the incredible efforts of our volunteers, this initiative will strengthen Bullock Creek's long-term restoration and help create a thriving ecosystem for generations to come.

Thanks to Paul van Klink (FOBC) and Jo Tilson (Southern Lakes Sanctuary) for leading our first-ever Bird Survey at the Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs.

Enthusiastic Participants

While we planned two sessions over a Tuesday and Sunday in late June, inclement weather unfortunately forced us to cancel the Sunday session. However, we had an enthusiastic turnout on Tuesday! The high level of inquiry and interest has FOBC considering making this an annual event, perfectly timed to coincide with the national NZ Garden Bird Survey held during the last week of June each year.

Despite the chilly winter weather, participants stayed cozy with a warming cup of soup in hand. The session kicked off with a great introduction to the local birdlife, teaching attendees exactly what to look out for and how to identify different species using a variety of resources. It was a highly interactive session—everyone had the opportunity to ask Paul questions and take home identification cards developed by the NZ Garden Bird Survey.

10 Years of Native Restoration

FOBC has been undertaking native restoration work at Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs for a decade now. As the trees start to mature, we are gaining incredible insights into the urban birdlife at this site.

During our Tuesday session, we spotted great numbers of native and introduced species, including:

• Tūī

• Korimako (Bellbird)

• Regular visits from Kāhu (Harrier Hawk)

• Riroriro (Grey Warbler) – A rare treat! Paul spotted this little guy, which is not usually seen in this urban environment.

• Pīwakawaka (Fantail)

• A few "flybys" from Kāhu (Harrier Hawk)

• And many non-native birds to be found in the urban environment:

• Dunnock

• House sparrow

• Greenfinch 

• Blackbird

• Starling

• Song thrush

• Silvereye

It will be fascinating to watch how our sightings evolve in the years to come as our restoration work continues.