Category: Conservation

Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  21 December 2024

The walking track to Tāne Mahuta in Waipoua Forest has been closed since 30 September 2024. The reopening comes just in time for the summer season and busy holiday period, allowing the public to reconnect with this treasured taonga.

Visitors can now enjoy Tāne Mahuta with new features that protect this irreplaceable tree and enrich the visitor experience. As part of the Rākau Rangatira project, the site now includes a specially designed raised boardwalk, bridge, and viewing platform, ensuring safer access while minimising environmental impact.

This reopening is a key milestone in the wider Rākau Rangatira project, a collaboration between Te Roroa and DOC to enhance forest health, protect kauri trees from dieback disease, and improve visitor experiences in Waipoua Forest.

Next steps in the project include:

• Ongoing monitoring and maintenance of biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of kauri dieback disease.
• Long-term forest health assessments to ensure Tāne Mahuta and surrounding kauri thrive for future generations.
• Further upgrades to visitor facilities and educational resources to foster a deeper understanding of kauri conservation.

“Tāne Mahuta is more than just a tree; he is a living ancestor, a sacred connection to our whakapapa and our atua. His health and survival are intertwined with the well-being of our people and the land. Seeing him protected and cared for gives us all great pride and hope for the future,” says Snow Tane, General Manager of Te Roroa.

Stephen Soole, Kauri Coast Operations Manager at DOC, expressed gratitude for the public’s patience and support during the closure.

“Tāne Mahuta holds a special place in the hearts of New Zealanders and visitors alike. We are proud to reopen this sacred site and invite everyone to visit respectfully, knowing their actions contribute to the preservation of this ancient forest,” says Stephen.

Visitors are reminded to follow biosecurity protocols during their visit, including using the wash stations provided, to protect Tāne Mahuta and the surrounding ecosystem.

For more information about Tāne Mahuta and the Rākau Rangatira project, please visit the DOC website.

Background information

About Tāne Mahuta

Tāne Mahuta currently attracts approximately 200,000 visitors per year and stands 51.5 metres tall, with a trunk diameter of 4.5 metres. It is estimated to be 1,500 years old.

According to Māori mythology, Tāne is the son of Ranginui the sky father and Papatūānuku the earth mother. Tāne was the child who separated his parents’ embrace and then set about clothing his mother in the forest we see today. All living creatures of the forest are regarded as Tāne’s children.

About kauri dieback disease

Phytophthora agathidicida (PA) is a soil-borne pathogen that infects Kauri trees through their roots. PA restricts the ability of kauri to transport water and nutrients between their roots and their leaves, causing the condition known as kauri dieback disease, which eventually starves the tree. 

PA could have devastating effects on New Zealand’s kauri forests. It has been found in Northland, Great Barrier Island, and the Coromandel Peninsula. There is no known cure, but we can help reduce its spread by avoiding any movement of soil around the roots of kauri trees. That means making sure we stick to the tracks and have spotlessly clean footwear and any gear that might touch the ground.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  20 December 2024

John Evans found three of the distinctive looking weevils on a speargrass plant in Ōtuwharekai/Ashburton Lakes in November, posting pictures to citizen science network iNaturalist and a New Zealand bug identification Facebook group.

The pictures spurred a flurry of interest from entomologists (bug experts), who quickly alerted DOC staff to the find. DOC Technical Advisor Warren Chinn went and visited to the site in December, and found 41 weevils during a quick survey, taking specimens back with them to confirm the identification.

The discovery is a huge boost for the species, which is only known to live in one other location at Burkes Pass, near Tekapo about 80 km away. The Burkes Pass population has been in decline, and is thought to be down to critically low numbers. The species is also a Lazarus taxa, having been thought to be extinct in 1922 until it was rediscovered in Burkes Pass in 2004.

John says he noticed some weevils on a speargrass but had never seen a weevil that size.

“It was so big!” says John.  “As a farmer I’m used to looking at insects. I was like a stunned mullet when I learned these were such a rare species.”

The local trapping group which discovered the weevil has been running for 14 years, operating about 120 traps and controlling an estimated 3000 mustelids, rats, feral cats, and hedgehogs over that time.

DOC Senior Science Advisor Tara Murray says the discovery is fantastic news for Canterbury knobbled weevils, which were thought to be on the brink of extinction.

“Although the new find is a game changer for conservation of this species, it’s not out of the woods yet,” says Tara. “At this stage we don’t yet know how big or secure the new population is.

“Two populations are of course better than one, but we still haven’t halted the decline at Burkes Pass. Both populations are small, so they could easily be wiped out by fire or a few years of bad growing conditions for the speargrass plants they rely on.”

Tara says because the Burkes Pass population has been struggling, DOC had already planned some extra funding to help protect the species, which will also benefit this new population.

Aoraki Environmental Consultancy Limited, on behalf of Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua, are very excited that a new population of critically endangered Canterbury knobbled weevils have been discovered. Arowhenua is working alongside the DOC team at the Raukapuka office to ensure their protection and hopefully one day expansion into other areas. 

These weevils are absolutely protected under the Wildlife Act, which means people can’t handle, disturb or collect them without permission.

Background information

• The Canterbury knobbled weevil is thought to have historically occupied low to mid-altitude areas from north to south Canterbury in association with its host plants, species in the Aciphylla genus, a speargrass commonly known as spaniard. The new population is within the historic estimated range.
• Adult weevils feed on spaniard leaves and flowers while larvae feed on the plant’s taproot underground.
• Habitat loss, caused by burning off the host plant and conversion of habitat to farmland are likely the main cause of the species’ decline.
• Since 2004, DOC staff and staff and students from Lincoln University have searched many areas for the weevil but no other sightings have been made.
• Pest and weed control has been undertaken at the Burkes Pass site for many years to try and protect the weevil.
• In 2022, a fence was installed around key weevil habitat at Burkes Pass to protect the host plant from rabbits and wallabies and exclude hedgehogs.
• Hedgehogs and mice are likely to be key threats to the weevil. Some other introduced mammals would also be expected to eat them.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  20 December 2024

More than 100,000 people visited the Hooker Valley Track, the national park’s most popular attraction, in the 2023/24 financial year. We predict this season will match or exceed those numbers, says DOC Aoraki/Mount Cook Operations Manager Sally Jones.

“With high visitor numbers – it becomes even more vital people show respect for the park and other visitors.

“DOC encourages visitors to arrive early if they can and asks people to park considerately and share tracks with others. Mueller and Hooker huts and the White Horse Hill Campground are already heavily booked for the summer.

“Staff have been busy preparing our facilities like tracks, huts, and carparks for the summer season. Visitors must also play a part to care for this place and make sure everyone has a great experience.

“We’re adding 12 temporary toilets at the White Horse Hill car park, alongside the six permanent toilets located there. We’re also hiring extra summer staff to help upkeep facilities and make sure people are behaving appropriately.”

Sally Jones says in the past we’ve seen cars parked a long way down the road on both sides when the car park is full.

“We know the car park doesn’t keep up with demand on busy days and we’re working on ways to better manage this.

“There will be a paid parking trial here next summer to help manage visitor pressure. We’re planning the details at the moment and will share info like prices when we can.

“It’s fantastic that people want to enjoy this special place, and we look forward to welcoming visitors this season.”

Do your bit to care for Aoraki

• Consider quieter times – data shows Hooker Valley Track is most popular between 10 am and 4 pm. We recommend making the most of the longer days and visit outside of peak times if your schedule allows. Visiting outside of holiday periods and weekends will also provide a quieter experience.
• Treat our friendly rangers with respect – they work hard to keep facilities up to scratch and are happy to give some advice to visitors.
• Plan and prepare – check weather and track conditions before heading out. Be prepared for changeable alpine weather, as it can go from scorching sun to wet and cold in the same day. As well as sunscreen and plenty of water, take some warm and waterproof clothing, even if you’re just out for a day walk.
• Always use the toilets provided – visitors can expect the toilets to be busy during peak hours on fine days. We recommend using the loos before you head out.
• Park considerately – don’t take up more room than needed and, when White Horse Car Park is full, only use the designated side of the road to reduce congestion and make it safer for walkers and cyclists, while leaving space for emergency vehicles.
• Share the space and facilities with other visitors and move past people respectfully on the track.
• Leave drones behind – they aren’t allowed in the national park. Drones disturb the natural quiet of the area, negatively impact wildlife like kea, and can pose serious safety risks.
• Take your rubbish with you including food scraps.

Never bring dogs or other pets to New Zealand’s national parks, including at the White Horse Hill car park and campground. Pets are not permitted and pose a significant risk to native wildlife.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  19 December 2024

While this common native bird, found throughout Aotearoa, is known to disperse over large areas, its journey hasn’t been GPS-tracked and documented until now.

The adult male left Whangamarino Wetland on 26 September, soared across Cook Straight at heights of 300 m and flew down the eastern South Island to arrive in Middlemarch on 7 October, where he has stayed put.

DOC is monitoring kāhu as part of research to better understand how this bird of prey uses the environment and interacts with threatened native bird species, which it sometimes preys on.  

DOC Technical Advisor Thomas Emmitt says kāhu prey on a range of threatened species such as Australasian bittern/matuku-hūrepo and black-fronted tern/tarapirohe.

“However, we don’t know the extent to which kāhu impact threatened species populations. This research will help us understand whether we need to further protect these species from kāhu as part of wider conservation efforts.

“By tracking harriers, we hope to understand how much time they spend foraging around places where vulnerable native species live compared with farmland or other areas, and whether it’s just individual birds that pose a threat or kāhu more widely.”

The early results are exciting, says Thomas. “We’ve seen an adult male take a one-way trip covering 1600 km from Whangamarino to Middlemarch where he may have paired up to breed.

“We’ve also seen a young female fly 150 km between the St James Conservation Area and Hororata in Canterbury three times in just over a month. She seems to have settled in Hororata for now.”  

It’s thought these birds are dispersing to new territories. Further monitoring will show whether they stay in these locations.

Other tagged kāhu are staying more local and their flight paths show a criss-cross of movements and habitat uses. The GPS tracking records finer-scale movements than previous studies and it’s hoped that analysis of this data will help shed light on kāhu interactions with threatened native species.

DOC is undertaking the kāhu research in the Waikato where there are bittern, and Clarence River where there are black-fronted tern. Both are critically endangered.

Other threatened species preyed on by harriers include shore plover/tūturuatu/tchūriwat’, fairy tern/tara iti, banded dotterel/tūturiwhatu, Chatham Island oyster catcher/tōrea, kōkako, brown teal/pāteke, marsh crake/koitareke, black stilt/kakī and New Zealand dotterel/tūturiwhatu/pukunui.

DOC controls kāhu in some cases to protect threatened birds such as kakī/black stilt and other braided river birds in the Tasman valley, and tara iti/NZ fairy tern in Northland.

Kāhu/Australasian harrier’s southerly journey 26 September to 7 October 2024 (PDF, 1,894K)

Kāhu/Australasian harrier’s movements 15 October to 12 November 2024 (PDF, 2,279K)

Background information

Australasian harrier/kāhu is a common native bird found throughout New Zealand including coastal areas, wetlands, pine forest, farmland and high-country areas.

Self-introduced to New Zealand about 1000 years ago, harriers have thrived in a modified environment and with the introduction of rabbits, hares, mice and birds like sparrows and blackbirds.

Kāhu prey on small to medium-sized birds and mammals, insects, lizards and frogs. They also scavenge road-kill carrion, which can contribute significantly to their diet, especially in winter.

Harriers are partially protected under the Wildlife Act. It is legal to control birds to support the conservation of fully protected wildlife, or to protect domestic or game birds.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  18 December 2024

DOC Ranger Dan Palmer says it is a big relief after their breeding seasons from 2021 to 2023 were atrocious.

When the king shag working group (Marlborough District Council, DOC, Ministry for Primary Industries, iwi, Marine Farming Association, and researchers) started studying them in 2015, the population was estimated to be 839.

“Unfortunately, from 2021-2023 king shag suffered badly from winter storm events in La Nina weather conditions,” Dan says.

“Low-lying nests were swept away by storm surges, heavy rainfall flooding out nest sites, and high sediment loads in the Marlborough Sounds made it harder for birds to see food like flounder on the sea floor.”

A population census in 2024 estimated a total population of 646. This was a drop of 23% since 2021, likely due to three poor breeding seasons with very few chicks produced.

“However, king shags did incredibly well in the El Nino conditions of 2024. The cooler, drier winter, without big storm events improved their nest survival.

“So, although the last population census was the lowest in 10 years the population now looks likely to climb, with a total of 198 chicks fledging in the 2024 season.”

Dan says until 2015 king shags hadn’t been closely studied and we’re only just coming to grips with their population cycles.

“We know their preferred habitat is somewhat challenging for survival – they like cold, southerly-facing rock stacks.

“They also dive up to 70 m for food, which might sound like a long way but is actually fairly shallow compared to other shag species.”

Dan says people can help king shags by sharing space.

“Boats should keep a good distance from their breeding and roosting colonies as king shags are flighty and easily disturbed.”

For future resilience, DOC is investigating mitigation measures including the potential to use dummy nests to attract the shags to sites that are less vulnerable to extreme weather conditions due to climate change impacts.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  17 December 2024

This is the biggest die-off for sooty shearwaters in northern New Zealand since the shearwater ‘wreck’ in 1999, which followed a large El Nino event in 1997-98.

DOC received reports about unusually high numbers of dead seabirds on North Island west coast beaches throughout November and early December.

“Starvation was confirmed as the cause of the bird deaths, not Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 (HPAI), which was the initial concern, and we suspect the starvation is related to climate change-induced ocean warming,” DOC Principal Science Advisor Graeme Taylor says.

“Our initial assessment is that the deaths are probably associated with unusually warm seas off the coast of Japan affecting the birds’ food stocks. In the spring migration, juvenile birds are returning from the coast off Japan to New Zealand in poor condition and dying when they get here.”

Sooty shearwaters, considered an at-risk species, were the most affected, followed by Buller’s shearwaters and fairy prions. All three species are dependent on conservation management measures to prevent further declines.

Principal Science Advisor Graeme Taylor says past tracking of sooty shearwaters revealed 70% of the New Zealand population migrates to seas north and east of Japan.

“A tagged bird we recaptured in 2024 showed an interesting change in route, departing New Zealand in May heading towards Japan then changing tack and heading east to the Gulf of Alaska.

“We presume the change resulted from unfavourable sea conditions off the coast of Japan.”

Graeme says the spring migration is now almost over, so reports of dead birds are expected to decline over the next month as the birds disappear from our beaches.

“However, we’re likely to see a higher frequency of seabird die-offs like this as oceans continue to get warmer and there’s less available food in their northern hemisphere foraging grounds”.

Graeme cautions people to be careful around any dead birds on the beach.

“HPAI has decimated seabird populations around the globe, and there are concerns it will get here eventually through infected migrant seabirds or marine mammals. It’s important to be careful.

“We normally ask people to weigh freshly dead birds, and we’d confirm if they’d died from starvation. However, due to the risk of HPAI, don’t touch, handle, or collect dead or sick birds to avoid spread of the virus and protect yourself.”

Members of the public should report groups of three or more sick or dead birds, marine mammals, or other wildlife to the MPI exotic pest and disease hotline: 0800 80 99 66.

In the meantime, DOC will continue to keep an eye on the situation and work with the Ministry for Primary Industries on monitoring dead seabirds around our coastlines.

Background information

HPAI (the highly infectious H5N1 strain) has decimated seabird populations around much of the globe but has not yet reached New Zealand or Oceania. This differs to the H7N6 strain of bird flu recently found on the chicken farm in Otago.

Find out more at avian influenza.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  17 December 2024

A significant fire started near Bridge Hill on December 5 and grew to about 1000 hectares. Firefighters controlled the blaze after several days, but the area remains an active fireground and hotspots could still flare up.

DOC North Canterbury Operations Manager Leeann Ellis says DOC staff will need to get in, assess the damage, and make sure tracks are safe for visitors before they can be reopened.

“Given the area is still an active fireground, it’s become clear we won’t be able to assess these tracks until early in the new year. The Craigieburn Valley and Broken River ski field access roads are also closed.”

Leeann says as well as potential hotspots, hazards on the tracks could include track damage, dangerous burnt trees, and falling rocks or other debris due to unstable ground.

“We know this will be disappointing to some people who had hoped to enjoy the area through the holidays. Fortunately, plenty of other unaffected tracks in the area will be open.

“The DOC website is the best place to check which tracks are open and closed. We will keep it updated as tracks in the fire area are checked and reopened.”

Currently closed tracks and roads include:

• Craigieburn Edge Track
• Camp Saddle Track
• The Luge Track
• Mistletoe Track
• Helicopter Hill Track
• Craigieburn Sidle 73 Track
• Coal Pit Spur Track
• Hut Creek Track
• Bridge Hill Track
• Dracophyllum Flat Track
• Cragieburn Valley Ski Area access road
• Broken River Ski Area access road

Leeann says the fire highlights why it’s so important to be safe with fire in the outdoors.

“Fires on conservation land are often started accidentally. No one wants to see native ecosystems, tracks and huts, or heritage and cultural sites destroyed by a fire, so we’re urging people to stay fire safe in the outdoors this summer.”

To stay fire safe this summer, check any fire restrictions on Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s checkitsalright.nz website before lighting a fire, follow site-specific fire bans, park so hot car exhausts aren’t in long grass, and be careful with gas cookers.

Find out about local fire restrictions at the Check it’s alright website.

Read more about lighting fires on public conservation land

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  17 December 2024

A rat eradication operation took place on the atoll’s Home and Cooks islets over August and September 2023. Monitoring to confirm the atoll’s rat-free status was recently completed, with trail cameras and traps showing no evidence whatsoever of rats.

Arthur Neale, the atoll’s Executive Officer, says Palmerston’s rat-free status means the world to him and everyone else who lives on the atoll.

“Rats infested the atoll for over a century. They ate our crops, invaded our homes and harmed local wildlife. We saw the rat problem becoming worse, with the potential to seriously undermine our resilience in the face of climate change impacts.

“Benefits from the rat eradication are already evident. Our food security has improved massively. Fruits like guava, mango and star fruit are now abundant and free from rat damage. Our nu mangaro (a coconut tree variety) are thriving. Vegetables, especially cucumbers, have seen an astonishing increase in yield.

“We’re very excited to see more native species now rats are no longer eating them. Seedlings of tamanu and puka are increasing and we’re seeing and hearing more birds. Wood pigeons and red-tailed tropic birds have returned to Home Islet. Crabs and lizards appear to be more abundant.”

The work that led to a rat-free Palmerston Atoll began several years ago when local NGO Te Ipukarea Society prepared the Palmerston Island Natural Resource Management Plan 2020, which highlighted the potential benefits of eradicating rats.

From there, a partnership to eradicate rats from Palmerston Atoll was set up between New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DOC), the Palmerston Atoll community, Cook Island’s National Environment Service and Ministry of Agriculture, and Te Ipukarea Society.

Arthur says the community’s preparations for the eradication operation were immense. “We had to ensure there wasn’t any food for rats – bait had to be the only option. Everything was sealed up, from food to kitchen wastewater systems. We removed sugar cane from our gardens and fruit from trees. We couldn’t risk having livestock feed and faeces available to rats, so we had to carefully manage our chickens and pigs.”

The six-week operation covered Palmerston Atoll’s Home Islet, which has around 30 inhabitants, and the uninhabited Cooks Islet. Bait was hand laid across the two islets and 116 buildings on Home Islet were baited.

Em Oyston from DOC was the project team leader and one of three DOC National Eradication Team members on the ground for the operation. The DOC team has international expertise in island eradications.

“Working on this project with the community and Cook Island agencies was a privilege. The operation’s logistics were challenging, so Palmerston Atoll’s official rat-free status is very satisfying and a huge credit to everyone who played a role in this project,” Em says.

To help the atoll to remain rat-free, biosecurity measures are in place. Detection devices and traps are installed and visiting vessels will be checked offshore for rats or any other pests.

Jessie Nicholson, Biodiversity Coordinator at the Cook Islands National Environment Service, says the rat eradication is a national milestone.

“Palmerston is the first inhabited island in the Cook Islands to be deemed rat-free. This is an incredible achievement that should be celebrated by all people of the Cook Islands.

“Some of our outer island communities have heard about the eradication in Pamati (Palmerston) and expressed interest to conduct rat eradications on their islands also. Palmerston is truly leading the way.

“The National Environment Service is extremely pleased with the successful outcome of the eradication and wishes to acknowledge all those who helped along the way to make this a reality for Palmerston.”

The work was made possible by funding from the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, a major supporter of the Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service, a collaborative Pacific-led partnership to restore island resilience.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  16 December 2024

Deputy Director-General Policy and Regulatory Services Ruth Isaac says that the feedback received through the public notification period will be considered as part of the application process.

“WHL has applied for a 10-year lease which will allow them to take over RAL operations at Whakapapa ski field as well as six buildings in Whakapapa village and a water pipeline easement.

“DOC is committed to running a robust and transparent concession process when it receives an application to use Public Conservation Land for commercial purposes.

“We will continue to consult with iwi throughout this process, including seeking to understand how we can protect their values and interests through the concessions.

“It has been a long road to get to this stage and we would like to thank everyone for their patience as we continue to work through this process,” says Ruth Isaac.

The public submission period will begin Monday 16 December and will end 7 February 2025.

WHL’s application is available on the DOC website for the public to review and fill in the submission form.

Application for a concession by Whakapapa Holdings 2024 Limited

If submitters wish to be heard in person, DOC will hold a public hearing in February 2025.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  13 December 2024 Source:  Office of the Minister for Hunting and Fishing

This marks a 22% increase from last year.

“This fantastic result demonstrates the importance and benefit of strong partnerships across the hunting community in addressing the damage wild goats cause to farmland and native ecosystems,” Mr McClay says.

Spearheaded by DOC and the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association (NZDA), with support from Federated Farmers, Hunting & Fishing NZ Ltd, and Te Tari Pūreke Firearms Safety Authority, the competition connected over 800 hunters with landowners, improving access to private land and significantly impacting wild goat populations.

The competition, also saw $70,000 in prizes donated by the hunting and outdoor sector, highlighting the commitment of all parties to protecting New Zealand’s great outdoors.

“Prize winners have been announced today on the competition web page and via NZDA and DOC’s social media channels. I look forward to next year’s competition and wild goat hunting becoming a regular feature in the hunting calendar.”

National Wild Goat Hunting Competition

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