With the Bay Link project completing one major infrastructure element after another, people will also start to see more landscaping and streetscape works taking place, says a Waka Kotahi NZTA spokesperson.

"This includes planting, the installation of mahi toi – cultural artworks and the development of the new signalised Bayfair roundabout."

Winter is planting season in the Bay of Plenty, and planting will be underway across the site in coming months.

"As part of the project, we will plant more than 120,000 plants.

"Planting across the project will integrate with the existing landscape and draw upon Matauranga Māori to incorporate cultural values, and use species to support local wildlife including invertebrates and bird species."

NZTA say achieving a low maintenance environment in key areas is also extremely important.

"This will be done by including hardy native species that can withstand drought and the Tauranga coastal conditions."

Most plants are native plants to support the existing ecosystem and include low level planting, shrubs and trees such as tarata, kanuka and grasses such as tussock.

It also provides an opportunity to reintroduce rare or endangered plant species, such as (but not limited to) kakabeak, shrubby tororaro, sand coprosma, wind grass and koromiko.

Two new wetlands created

As part of the project, two wetlands have been constructed and planted.

These are the northern wetland which is located next to Matapihi Road and the southern wetland located beyond Titoki Place, near the rail line which runs adjacent to SH29A.

Wetlands act as the ‘kidneys of the earth’, cleaning the water that flows into them, trapping sediment and soils, filtering out nutrients and removing contaminants.

They also help to maintain water tables and return nitrogen to the atmosphere.

The 8000m2 southern wetland is home to approximately 35,000 plants. In association with local tangata whenua, plants were chosen for their tolerance to the local environment, weather conditions and their ability to provide appropriate habitat opportunities for insects and animals.

In the wetland’s shallow water, up to 30cm deep, vegetation consists of purei (tussock forming sedge), sharp spike sedge, twig rush, tussock swamp twig rush, water milfoil and kapungawha (soft stem bulrush).

In the deeper water, between 30cm and 1m deep, kuta (tall spikerush), twig rush, red pond weed/manihi, and kapungawha are more suitable.

Plants were eco-sourced and harvested from local vegetation.

"This helps protect the biodiversity of the native vegetation within this ecological area. Including the wetlands vegetation, more than 120,000 plants will be planted as part of the project."