Newsletter

Conservation Kõrero

Updates, Events & Opportunities!

Autumn 2010

Kia Ora!

Hope this issue of the Conservation Korero finds you fit and well after what has been a pretty fabulous summer.With consistent warm weather, clear skies and hardly a breath of wind for months at a time I thought it would never end. However the heavens opened up in the last couple of days with the full thunder & lightening show just to prove thatautumn has arrived.

It would appear that conservation has really benefited from the fine weather with heaps to report over the past few months. Not that winter looks to be a quiet time with plenty of events on the horizon and Conservation Week not far away in September.

Protect, enjoy, be involved:Tiakina, hakinakinatia, whakauru

Robert Griffiths
Editor

Historic Karangahake bridge protected
Wild Creations
East Coast Cycleway
Moko mania
Whakatane kiwi
Aversion training
Riding the Whirinaki
New stuff for Rotorua
Upcoming Events 2010

Historic Karangahake bridge protected

Those driving the Karangahake Gorge might notice the sheets which cover the Eastern Portal Bridge, and will see the workers taking to the structure. This is some important conservation work being done to protect the hundred-year old bridge from further decay. DOC is doing the work as part of a broader project to showcase the Kaimai Heritage Trail, a network of sites that represent New Zealand's early logging and mining history.

The original lead paint on the 100-year old bridge trusses has broken down, resulting in corrosion of some of the steel work. Removal of the existing paint and replacement with a new corrosion protection system is essential if the trusses are to be protected. If left untreated the rate of deterioration would have accelerated. The sheeting over the bridge is there to protect the Ohinemuri River from pollution by lead-based paints and other construction materials.

Between 1905 and 1978 the Eastern Portal Bridge served as the crucial link that both stimulated and serviced the growth of economic activity on both sides of the Kaimai range. DOC hopes that visitors from all around the world will continue to marvel at the engineering and history of the bridge, and will also enjoy the rest of the Kaimai Heritage Trail.

Tarawera's Tin Teacaddy

Rosy Tin Teacaddy rolled into Rotorua a few weeks ago in a Toyota jammed full of chaos, for the first of their Wild Creations residencies. Billy Earl & Betty Grey are the creative geniuses behind the indie-folk band, Rosy Tin Teacaddy. As apart of the Wild creations programme they have come up with the inspiring idea of creating a new collection of songs based on their experiences, the land, and the people and stories of Tarawera.

The Wild Creations residency programme is a partnership between Creative NZ (Provides the funding) and the Department of Conservation (Host the artists) allowing great folks like Billy & Betty the opportunity to get away from it all and do what they do best - create!

During their latest stay they have been out and about researching the area by day, visiting local 'hot spots' and catching up with locals etc. By night they can be found at their humble abode writing & playing. All this mixed in with numerous cups of tea of course! According to Billy & Betty this first stint has mainly been dedicated to devising their stage show, which is playing at BATS theatre May 19 to 22. "The show and the album project have become parts of the same thing. The show is almost the springboard into the project as a whole" comments Andy. "On our next visit to the area we are hoping to coincide the dates with the anniversary of the Mt Tarawera eruption (10th June 1886). Some may say that this is a great coincidence. I believe that it is somewhat serendipitous" says Betty.

The fruits of their efforts can already be heard as they have recorded a couple of demo tracks onto there Myspace page that are well worth a listen. If you like what you hear become a Rosy Tin Teacaddy Facebook Fan. If you're in Wellington don't miss the show at BATS: 19th - 22nd May 2010
And, stay tuned for updates on a special Tarawera Anniversary gig in Rotorua in early June!

National Cycleway

Gisborne's Old Motu Coach Road is one of thirteen selected nationwide to be part of the national cycleway. The project is a joint initiative between Gisborne and Opotiki District Councils and Department of Conservation.

The trail will take cyclists from Matawai through the Old Motu Coach Road with an option of detouring through the Pakihi Track or a continuation through the Pacific Coast Highway to the Tirohanga Conservation Area. The cycleway introduces the rugged inland scenery and the unique history of the area as it follows the historic tracks through the heart of the Urutawa Conservation Area.

A feasibility study of the cycleway is being undertaken by Tourism Resource Consultants and Frame Group Limited to be completed by the end of May. The results of this study are expected to assist in determining the viability of continuing to pursue the cycleway

Moko mania continues

Move over Sirocco, the Eastern Bay of Plenty's very own superstar in conservation, Moko the bottlenose dolphin continues to wow crowds, despite the cooling of the waters.

Mike Jones, CR Ranger from the local DOC Whakatane office has some simple tips to follow if you do want to have a safe and enjoyable experience with this rather unique bottlenose dolphin:

• Ensure that children are well supervised when in the water near Moko
• Consider wearing a life jacket, especially for your children and if you are not a strong swimmer
• Do not try to handle Moko
• Dolphins have sensitive skin, please remove protruding jewellery such as watches and rings
• Refrain from 'scratching' him with your fingernails
• Do not take stringed or roped 'toys' that could entangle Moko
• Do not surround the dolphin - always allow him to have an escape route where he can safely move to deep water
• Do not attempt to ride or be towed by Moko

If you have any concerns for Moko's welfare please call 0800 DOCHOT (362468).

Ssshhhh... we're kiwi listening

Our national icon is a unique and rather shy bird. It is that time of the year again when our local North Island brown kiwi population's are re-establishing their territories and mating partners. So although the chances of you seeing a kiwi in it's natural environment are slim, the chances of hearing one are pretty good... that is, if you know where to go.

Good news is, the Whakatane Kiwi Trust are leading a series of guided walks to do just this. On these evening walks you will learn about the Whakatane Kiwi Project and how it has gone from just having four pairs of birds in 2000, to last September, celebration the release of the the Project's 100th chick.

The Whakatane Kiwi Trust really goes to show what an amazing difference a committed group of volunteers can make to conservation. Come along and learn about what they've done to help - and in doing so, you'll also be supporting the Whakatane kiwi population.

For full details of these trips happeing through May and June, click here.

Dog safe and thriving

Whakatane's urban lot are thriving, and so are the wild kiwi of the wider Te Urewera National Park. Staff and community supporters have been busy running a series of "avian aversion" training sessions for hunting dogs over the past few weeks. The results mean there are now several hundred hunting dogs that are a lot less likely to chase any kiwi they happen to encounter while out looking for legitimate targets, such as deer and pigs.

Te Urewera Whirinaki biodiversity ranger Sarah King was thrilled with the more then 120 dogs that attended the Minginui training day, saying the brief shock the dog gets for showing interest in a fake kiwi will pay rich dividends should the dog encounter a real bird in the wild. Other training days were held at Waikaremoana and Waimana, with Taneatua next in the schedule.
Details and bookings for future training can be made through the Murupara office on 07 3661080.

Meanwhile, a listening survey of kiwi at the Lake Waikaremoana Hapu Restoration Trust run project saw an average of 50 people listening for bird calls over three nights. All indications are that this population of birds, in an intensively pest controlled area of Maori-owned and Conservation land, are thriving thanks to the huge effort maintained by the local community with DOC assistance.

Saddle rising in riders' rankings

Almost from the instant the revised Moerangi Saddle section of the Whirinaki Circuit Track was opened for dual use, it has been getting rave reviews. The re-engineered 38km section of track was given the green light for action during September's Whirinaki25 celebrations.

Designed specifically to minimise conflicts between mountainbikers and walkers, the track has been proving a winner with visitor numbers showing a sharp increase. A year on year comparison shows the 2009/10 summer has seen double the number of users over the previous summer. And it's been the pedal brigade who have been really enthusiastic, singing the praises of the challenging Whirinaki ride on the internet and in magazines with many rating it the North Island's best one-day ride. The consequent interest from as far afield as Australia and the USA has now translated to at least one start-up business, with others certain to follow - a great demonstration that conservation and recreation can be great business partners.

Happenings in Rotorua

Things have been moving along steadly in Rotorua over the summer months with a number of new and upgraded facilities for all to enjoy.

• Waiotapu Mud Pool has had a full up grade of the board walks and a new elevated viewing platform to enhance this awesome short stop experience. Just two minutes off SH 5 just South of Maungakakaramea (Rainbow Mountain). If you're looking to fill in the day combo this in with a walk up the mountain - definitely worth the effort!
• The day amenity area at the scenic reserve on North-Eastern beach of Lake Okareka has now been completed and is looking fantastic. Big thanks to the local community at Lake Okareka that have pitched in on an ongoing basis to ensure that the rehabilitation of the site was a success. The picnic/day area has a couple of toilets, ski lane, sealed road to lake front and numerous plantings.
• A small ceremony was recently held at Lake Tarawera to turn the first sod on the Tarawera Trail. It was a particularly special ocassion with representatives from the Iwi Land Trusts and DOC. It has been a vision that has been five year in the making for the Tarawera Trail Trust. However for Ngati Rangitihi, Tuhourangi and Hinemihi it has been 124 years in the making and an opportunity for tangata whenua to reconnect with the places around Tarawera since the eruptions in 1886 displaced their people.

Upcoming Events 2010

Kiwi Trust Workdays

Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust is carrying out a bait station operation this winter, with workdays to prepare for the winter operation. The work is not too strenuous and can be tailored to suit the individual. The trust also provides a BBQ at the end of workday. You also get to spend the day with a great bunch of people in a great environment.

Planned Workdays:
Sunday 16th May and Sunday 30th May
Location: Meet at the shelter by the Carpark at Otanewainuku Forest on Mountain Rd Oropi.
Time: 9am at the Otanewainuku shelter, finish approx. 2pm.
Bring: Small pack with food, drink, warm clothes, sturdy footwear and a raincoat. Please bring loppers if you have them.
If you want to know more please phone Dave Edwards 07 5440885 or Dave Wills 07 5737322.

What's up in Gisborne?

Youth Week (22-30 May): Youth Week is ideally youth organising events for other youth, a strategic way of engaging with this particular audience to deliver conservation messages. DOC is supporting Tolaga Bay and Gisborne Youth Services to deliver a couple of events along the Arbor Day and International Biodiversity Day theme.

Arbor Day/World Environment Day (5 June):
Tree Planting at Matawai Marae.

World Environment Day Party organised by Tairawhiti Environment Centre with DOC staff attending in support with a display. Tairawhiti Environment Centre are also running a competition to find a new logo for their organisation. DOC is providing one of the prize's for the winner, which is to accompany a Ranger on a field trip to check out some of the natural taonga that make Tairawhiti such a special part of the world.

Conservation Week 2010

The dates are out there for the National Celebration of Conservation:
Conservation Week 12th - 19th September 2010
For more future information check this out! or contact your local area office

Conservation Blog Site

The Department of Conservation has entered the blogging world. The blog site has some cool posts from DOC rangers all over the country. Have a go and post your thoughts and comments! Check it out at: http://blog.doc.govt.nz/