On March 19th 2024 we had 4 national assessors from DoC and Groundtruth {GT} representatives visit WECG to assess the expected and unexpected benefits of the Waikanae Jobs for Nature scheme in which $8.3 m  of Government funds will be invested over the years December 2020 to 2024.

The original target was for 92 full time equivalent {FTE} jobs in the wider community to be created, by training in conservation work for younger people in the area.

At the time of the assessment Groundtruth have achieved 75 FTE based on is 30 hrs paid work per week minimum, for 52 weeks of the year. They are on track to achieve 100 FTE positions by December. 80% of the trainees they took on have stayed with the 12 week training programme and progressed further with enhanced skills and experience

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WECG have had massive benefits during these 4 years and a legacy of ‘first clearance’ gorse and blackberry land that we can develop to planting standard over the next 2 - 3 years.

We believe that an unexpected, but logical, outcome has been the commitment and enjoyment of the trainees to our weed clearance and planting goals on the Reserve.

Jeff Taylor took on the WECG Work Planning role and has developed strong relationships with both the trainees and GT Management. He would supervise them starting work, bring them a pack of biscuits for morning tea and maintain communication with supervision to achieve our goals.

John Whitelaw, our ‘source some money man’ on the Committee also developed good supply chain relationships with GT Management for spare plants from their extensive nurseries and increased equipment buying power that they have compared to WECG.

We now also have a basis for positive ongoing relationships with Te Atiawa iwi and their kaumatua, whom we already support in local projects that affect the Scientific Reserve.