The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

Here at Totara North Whangaroa there is an abandoned sawmill dating to 1871. In the 1970s the site was used for "tanalising' timber with chemical including arsenic and the sawdust and probably the slurry was dumped over a few acres next to a mangrove/rush lined creek. The powers that be did a land swap and now the sawdust pit is in crown land administered by DOC. It has become a community project to remove the weeds and remediate the stream banks. However The Whangaroa Land and Water care group is unable to move forward due to the risks associated with working (planting) on the poisoned site.
My questions are
#is there an instituiton/university etc. that is researching native species useful for removing poisons from the soil. What would these species be. Is there a body of research on this topic. The ministry for the environment has 50% subsidy to help with remediation of these sawmill sites but we need someone else with the other 50%. Any suggestions. Help appreciated
Tony Foster

Its possibly a long shot Tony but you could try contacting Dr Chris Tanner (NIWA, Hamilton) he did his Phd on the use of Schoenoplectus (and other wetland plants) to clean up contaminated water. Even if that is miles away from your immediate problem he may have some ideas or contacts that could explore the specific issue you raise. I am sorry I don't have Chris's email.

It's [email protected]
http://www.niwa.co.nz/key-contacts/chris-tanner
Sounds like an intriguing project, good luck!