The Love Rimurimu Project is piloting the regeneration of seaweed forests in Te Upoko o te Ika a Maui.
We’re growing up!
Welcome to the Love Rimurimu project. We’re a dedicated group that have been working together on regenerating Wellington’s seaweed forests since 2021.
The 2023 winter saw us secure a 5 year resource consent for our restoration and over 380 rocks seeded with giant kelp went out into sites around Te Motu Kairangi. Some of our survivors are now over 5m in length.
2024 plantouts have just finished with a whopping 1287 seaweeds planted out into 2 new and 1 existing restoration sites. Initial survival rates are higher than last year and we’re keeping a close eye on our intrepid kelplings.
With so much happening It’s easy to lose track of where we are at in our restoration journey- and sometimes the website takes a while to catch up. Sign up to the newsletter and we’ll keep you up to date with the latest from this ground breaking restoration project in the heart of Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
It’s an ocean of potential
Seaweed, known as rimurimu, is some bad-ass stuff!
When it’s in healthy abundance it absorbs carbons, improves water quality, protects our coastlines, provides a home and food source for thousands of sea creatures - and can even be turned into some delicious kai!
What’s not to love?
Helping to restore seaweed forests will create ecosystem health and build our knowledge. We’ll be sharing what we’re learning and collaborating widely throughout the life of the project.
In 2024 some of the project team were interviewed by seven sharp. It’s a great little introduction to what we’re all about!
Seaweed Superpowers
Our
healthy
seas
We don’t often think of seaweeds like our forests on land- but they’re just the same- actually we think they’re a little bit better!
Seaweed forests improve coastal waters by absorbing excess carbon and nutrients. Algae are also the powerhouse behind many marine ecosystems - providing habitat, food and shelter.
This is vital for us humans too.
Knowledge
we can
share
We will learn as we go. The data we collect as we get our feet wet will help us build an open-source restoration toolkit and provide data for scientific research, the community and for schools.
Alongside our restoration work you will find us in the classroom and in your community, spreading our love of rimurimu to you.
Opportunities
for a better
future
Our project will create a space for innovation. We want to explore how our big slippery friends can provide employment, research opportunities and new ecological enterprises.
We want to work collaboratively with mana whenua, industries, universities and councils to see how seaweed can provide better solutions to big problems- like carbon offsetting and food security.
Our Funders
The Love Rimurimu restoration project was initiated by Mountains To Sea Wellington in 2021 was been made possible with seed funding from the Wellington Community Fund. Since then other supporters have joined us to help continue the work.
Our Partners
Love Rimurimu builds upon the collective efforts of many passionate contributors.
