Large Woody Debris Extraction
Rata Forest Management Ltd Improvements to the land resulting from Large Woody Debris Extraction include enhanced water quality, increased sediment retention, and the creation of biodiversity that benefits the land and aquatic species.
- Large Wood Debris Extraction
Te Karaka
Challenge
Severe Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle devastated Te Tairawhiti in February 2023 resulting in loss of life, extensive damage to property and infrastructure, and disruption to networks. The township of Te Karaka flooded during the peak flow period resulting in mass evacuations and isolation from support services. 35,642 m3 of debris from the Waingaromia and Waihora River Catchments mobilized during Cyclone Gabrielle relocating on streambanks and river terraces upstream of Te Karaka township creating an Extreme Risk to the township.
Solution
Rata Forest Management Ltd was engaged by Te Aitanga a Mahaki Iwi Trust with full support by the collective Te Tairawhiti Iwi to prepare a full LWD extraction plan with full costings and methodologies as a business case and present it to the Ministers for support. Rata’s planners engaged with affected landowners around access approval, and provided regular reports back to the community at their fortnightly community update hui.
Impact
With funding from Toitu Housing Ltd, Rata Forest Management Ltd commenced extraction operations in June 2023 focusing primarily on the LWD deemed Extreme Risk in terms of likelihood of mobilization and potential damage. The extracted material was either burnt with Rata’s high oxygen burn unit, chipped for landscaping at Toitu Housing new house builds, or cut and split into firewood for the wider affected Te Karaka whanau. Central Government provided additional funding through MPI and TPK to complete the project. The ultimate outcome is the peace of mind that the community has knowing the risk has been eliminated.
