There’s a little island off Māpua toward Moturoa/Rabbit Island in the Waimea Estuary where adventurers young and old have enjoyed exploring since early last century.
That island is Bullivant Island, thought to be named after William Bullivant who was the Waimea County Council Engineer from the late 1920s until 1940s.
But recently we’ve had reports of vandalism with trees cut down, fires being lit and rubbish strewn around.
This is extremely disappointing for the local community group, Bullivant Island Restoration Project, or BIRP as it’s known. BIRP has been working hard with our Reserves team to replant the area and trap pests to restore the island to its natural state.
The group has cut down the smaller wilding pines and wattle, and stopped old man’s beard, gorse, ivy, and blackberry in its tracks. A planting plan has been instigated that has seen hundreds of trees and shrubs including Tōtara, Kānuka, Mānuka and Akeake planted.
There’s a total fire ban on the island, and visitors are asked to take rubbish with them when they leave and report any vandalism as soon as possible, so others may enjoy adventures on Bullivant Island for years to come.