Efforts to protect native plantings at Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs are set to ramp up, with further rabbit control measures planned in the coming weeks.

Rabbits have been spotted moving between the wetland and the neighbouring retirement village, posing an ongoing risk to young and newly established plants. Grazing can quickly undo restoration progress, making control work an important part of maintaining the site.

A targeted rabbit shoot is being organised, alongside plans to install additional rabbit-proof fencing along the boundary. These measures aim to limit movement between properties and better safeguard vulnerable planting areas.

While often out of sight, pest control plays a key role in restoration. By keeping rabbit numbers in check, the team can give native species the best chance to establish and thrive.

With planting efforts continuing to grow across the site, protecting what’s already in the ground remains a top priority

A recent effort to rehome 28 ribbonwood trees at Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs has highlighted just how much timing matters in restoration work.

The young trees were moved from a nearby Queenstown Lakes District Council stormwater area, with the goal of giving them a new life within the wetland restoration site. It’s all part of ongoing work to boost native planting and biodiversity along Bullock Creek.

While not all of the ribbonwoods have survived the move, the result hasn’t come as a surprise. Transplanting in the warmer months can be tough on young plants, making it harder for them to establish in a new environment.

Even so, every project like this adds to what we know. Restoration is often about trial and learning, and this experience will help guide better timing and methods for future planting.

With cooler months ahead, and more than 600 native plants currently growing in the nursery, the team is looking forward to the next round of planting, with conditions much more in their favour

Friends of Bullock Creek (FOBC) has announced a change to its regular volunteer sessions, moving to a new weekly time of Thursdays from 2–4pm as daylight saving ends and cooler autumn conditions set in.

The group continues to see steady community support, with FOBC’s Paul reporting between two and six volunteers attending sessions each week.

Current efforts are focused on release weeding around native plantings, helping to reduce competition and give young plants the best chance to establish and thrive.

FOBC says the consistent volunteer turnout is vital to maintaining the health of the Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs, and welcomes anyone interested in getting involved.

Friends of Bullock Creek (FOBC) has welcomed progress on stormwater improvements highlighted in a recent Wānaka Sun article, which outlined upcoming works to better protect Bullock Creek and the Hatchery Springs Wetland.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council project includes modifications to a nearby stormwater retention pond, designed to improve water quality and reduce the impact of urban runoff entering the creek system.

FOBC says it is optimistic about the outcome of the works.

“We’re encouraged to see these improvements progressing and the focus on enhancing stormwater quality before it reaches Bullock Creek,” the group said.

The organisation also reiterated its support for the proposed Stone Street Pipeline Diversion project, as outlined in the council’s long-term plan, as an important long-term solution.

As noted in the Wānaka Sun, Bullock Creek has long been valued by the community, with FOBC volunteers contributing significantly to its restoration and care over many years.

FOBC continues to advocate for the protection of this important waterway, welcoming steps that help safeguard its ecological health for future generations.

Our on-site hives, cared for by Tiaki Bees, have had a challenging but ultimately rewarding season.

Unsettled weather early in the summer made things difficult for the bees, particularly during a critical time when new queens were taking their mating flights. Cooler conditions also delayed flowering across many plants, meaning food sources were slower to arrive than usual.

Despite this, the Bullock Creek bees have shown their resilience. As the season progressed, conditions improved and the hives were able to produce a good surplus of honey. The honey boxes have now been removed and are currently at the extraction facility, where they’ll soon be processed and jarred.

The hives have also been treated for varroa mites to ensure the health of the colonies. As we move into the cooler months, the bees are continuing to forage from late-blooming plants while naturally adjusting their colony size to prepare for winter.

This is a great reminder of how closely our wetlands, plant life, and pollinators are connected and how important it is to protect and restore these ecosystems.

As we head into autumn and the days grow cooler, a quiet transformation begins along Bullock Creek. The light softens, leaves begin to turn, and the creek settles into a new seasonal rhythm.

Autumn is an important time for restoration work. Cooler temperatures and increased soil moisture create ideal conditions for native planting, giving young plants the best chance to establish strong root systems before winter. It’s also a time to check plant guards, manage weeds, and prepare sites for the months ahead.

For Friends of Bullock Creek, this season is about steady progress. Every planting day and working bee helps strengthen the creek’s margins, improve water quality, and provide habitat for native wildlife as they prepare for winter.

As the landscape shifts into golden tones, we’re reminded that restoration is a long-term commitment - one season at a time. We look forward to welcoming volunteers back to the creek this autumn to continue the important work of protecting this special waterway.

On March 22, we recognise World Water Day - a global reminder of just how vital clean, healthy waterways are to our environment and our communities.

As our region grows, increasing urbanisation and tourism place added pressure on freshwater systems. Expanding infrastructure, stormwater runoff, sedimentation, wastewater loads and higher recreational use can all impact water quality and ecological balance. Without careful management, these pressures can lead to degraded habitats, reduced biodiversity, and declining water clarity.

This is why the work of Friends of Bullock Creek is so important. Through native planting, pest control, habitat restoration and ongoing community involvement, we are helping to strengthen the resilience and health of Bullock Creek. Established vegetation filters runoff, stabilises banks, reduces erosion, and creates vital habitat for native species - all contributing to cleaner water flowing through our catchment.

This World Water Day, we acknowledge both the challenges facing our waterways and the collective action needed to protect them. Thank you to our volunteers, supporters and partners who help ensure Bullock Creek remains healthy for generations to come.

When wood is collected on site as part of our ongoing restoration and maintenance work at Bullock Creek Hatchery Springs, it doesn’t go to waste. Instead, it’s donated to Community Networks to support their Wood for Good and Cold Kids campaigns.

These initiatives help ensure local families have access to firewood and warm clothing during the colder months, supporting health, wellbeing, and comfort across our community. By passing this wood on, Friends of Bullock Creek is able to contribute beyond the reserve, connecting environmental care with social good.

It’s a simple but meaningful way our on-site work continues to make a positive impact, keeping both our local environment and our community thriving.

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. 🌱