Wasp control measures are now in place at Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs, with 12 Vespex bait stations installed across the site last week.

The stations have been positioned throughout the area to target wasp activity, and encouragingly, wasps were attracted to the bait within minutes of deployment - a strong sign the treatment is working quickly.

Controlling wasps is an important part of protecting our native species and improving safety for volunteers and visitors. Wasps compete with native birds and insects for food and can significantly disrupt fragile ecosystems if left unmanaged.

We’ll continue monitoring the stations over the coming weeks and assess the impact on local wasp populations.

It’s been a productive week on site for the FOBC team, with Paul and our dedicated volunteers putting the trailer to great use once again.

Thanks to the trailer - part funded by the generous support of the ZQN Community Fund - we were able to remove another full trailer load of invasive weeds from the wetland.

This week’s focus was tackling persistent problem species including blackberry, broom, dock, couch and thistles. Clearing these aggressive plants is essential to protecting the native species regenerating throughout the wetland and improving the overall health of the ecosystem.

Having the trailer on site makes a significant difference. It allows us to efficiently remove large volumes of weeds in a single session, keeping the momentum going and ensuring cleared areas stay clear.

A huge thank you to our hardworking volunteers and to ZQN Community Fund for helping make this mahi possible. Every trailer load out is a step forward for Bullock Creek. 🌱

Peak summer is not an ideal time for planting, as hot, dry conditions can place significant stress on young plants and greatly reduce their chances of survival. Instead, this period is used to prepare for future planting seasons and ensure plants are well cared for until conditions are right.

At present, there are more than 600 plants growing in the nursery that will be held over summer and planted out in autumn. With the irrigation and automated watering systems now in place, the nursery is functioning well, allowing plants to stay healthy and established through the warmer months. This preparation sets the project up strongly for successful planting when cooler, wetter conditions return.

With the combination of frequent rain and warmer days, grass growth has taken off once again, as it does every year across the catchment. This rapid growth, while a sign of a healthy season, can quickly overwhelm young native plants if left unmanaged and will take some time to bring back under control.

Over the coming months, the focus will be on cutting and pasting invasive weed species, release spraying, and careful hand weeding around established and newly planted natives. This work is essential to reduce competition, support ongoing restoration efforts, and give native plants the best possible chance to thrive as the season progresses.

Since the start of spring, much of the focus on the ground has been weed cutting and pasting, with particular attention on invasive ivy and convolvulus. Alongside these, volunteers have continued to manage all the usual problem species that threaten native regeneration. This ongoing mahi is essential to protecting planting areas and giving new growth the best chance to thrive as the season progresses.

We’re thrilled to share that Patagonia, the globally renowned outdoor brand, is shining a spotlight on the Friends of Bullock Creek (FOBC) this January. As part of their commitment to environmental stewardship and local conservation, Patagonia’s Queenstown store will feature FOBC, highlighting our ongoing work to restore and protect the Bullock Creek wetland and its unique ecosystems.

Patagonia has long been a champion of grassroots environmental initiatives, and their support helps bring wider recognition to the dedication of FOBC volunteers, donors, and community members who have worked tirelessly to nurture this precious area. From planting native species to controlling invasive weeds and pests, the efforts of our team have transformed the site into a thriving habitat and now visitors to Patagonia in Queenstown can learn about this work firsthand.

This feature is more than a showcase; it’s a celebration of community action and the impact that people can have when they come together for nature. We are deeply grateful to Patagonia for helping share our story and inspiring others to take part in protecting Bullock Creek.

Pop into the Queenstown store this January to see the FOBC feature, learn more about our work, and discover ways you can support local conservation efforts.

Bullock Creek has many neighbours, from those who enjoy the creek bubbling through their backyards, to residents living upstream of the Creek’s source at the QEII-covenanted wetland site on Stone Street. As many of you know, this wetland area, known as Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs, has been the focus of FOBC’s work for nearly a decade. With the generous support of volunteers, donors and funders, we have transformed this once-forgotten corner of urban Wānaka into a thriving native parkland that is accessible to all.

Building on our visits to downstream neighbours in 2025, FOBC trustees will be visiting our upstream neighbours in the Alpha Series development during January 2026. We know many of our upstream neighbours are regular users of the wetlands, and many also volunteer with FOBC throughout the year.

The aims of this door knock are to:

• Share more about FOBC and the work we do

• Raise awareness of water quality issues affecting Bullock Creek and Lake Wānaka

• Promote simple DIY ideas to reduce stormwater runoff and contamination

• Introduce the idea of “Adopting a Drain” in conjunction with Wai Wānaka

We have produced a brochure to share with Alpha Series residents during our door knock.

Predator monitoring is a core part of FOBC’s restoration work, helping us understand what pests are present in the Bullock Creek catchment and how they may be impacting local wildlife. Rats and other introduced predators can significantly reduce populations of native birds, skinks, insects, and stream life — all species that rely on a healthy, balanced ecosystem.

By regularly checking tracking tunnels and chew cards, we can identify where predators are active and respond with targeted control. This ensures young birds have a better chance of fledging, native invertebrates can thrive, and the surrounding habitat continues to recover.

Consistent monitoring helps us make informed decisions and protects the long-term health and resilience of Bullock Creek. It’s one of the many small actions that add up to big gains for biodiversity.

Weed management has been a major focus for the FOBC team this spring, with extensive work carried out on cutting and pasting invasive species. Ivy and convolvulus have been the biggest targets, along with the regular weed species that continue to threaten native plantings and the health of Bullock Creek.

This season’s unusually wet spring has made pasting slow going, but as the weather settles, weed control will remain a key priority in the months ahead. Staying on top of invasive weeds is essential to protecting newly planted natives, improving habitat quality, and supporting the long-term health of the creek.

Thank you to our volunteers and supporters who help ensure this important work continues.

This year’s planting season has been a big success, with 1,411 native plants going into the ground — exceeding our goal of 1,000. These efforts play a vital role in strengthening the health of the Bullock Creek ecosystem, improving water quality, and creating habitat for local wildlife.

Looking ahead, we have 600+ plants thriving in the nursery, which will be held over the summer months and planted out in 2026. Our thanks go to Richard from the Corrections team, who has been diligently pricking out Carex secta seedlings and potting them on, helping boost our future stocks.

We’ve also supplied seed to the Otago Corrections Facility to keep a strong pipeline of native seedlings coming for next year’s restoration work.

A big thank you to everyone involved in supporting the ongoing health and resilience of the creek.