This week, an enthusiastic group of volunteers from the Royal New Zealand Air Force swapped their usual engineering gear for gloves and garden tools, teaming up with Coastcare on the dunes at Whangamatā.

Armed with clippers, bags, and plenty of determination, the team spent the morning hunting down seed heads from two invasive weed species before they could spread. Every handful of weeds removed helps protect the delicate native plants that form the backbone of Whangamatā’s coastline.

The day’s work is more than just hands in the sand: it’s part of the Council’s wider Shoreline Management Plan. By strengthening the dunes, Coastcare and volunteers are helping the coastline withstand storms, reduce erosion, and create safe, sustainable habitats for native wildlife.

Along with our volunteers, native dune species like Spinifex sericeus (spinifex) and Ficinia spiralis (pīngao) are the real stars here. Their runners trap wind-blown sand and slowly build the dunes that act as a natural buffer between land and sea. But they’re delicate. If invasive weeds take over, the dunes weaken, leaving the coast exposed to erosion and sand inundation.

Having the Air Force volunteers on site gave the dunes a serious makeover. With extra hands, Coastcare removed far more seed heads than usual, showing just how much difference community partnerships can make.

It’s a reminder that protecting our coastline isn’t just about policy, it’s about people rolling up their sleeves. Coastcare relies on volunteers to help restore and care for our beaches, and every effort counts toward a stronger, more resilient shoreline.

To support restoration efforts in Whangamatā, join your local dune care group

• Whangamatā Dune Protection Society Incorporated
• info@whangadunes.org.nz

Dunes. Beach. Surf. One Living System.

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