Category: Conservation

Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  28 August 2023

DOC Taupō Operations Manager Dave Lumley says off-roaders need to understand this behaviour is unacceptable to the community.

“We’ve had complaints from hapū, from overnight campers, from day-visitors – all concerned that this beautiful place is being destroyed.”

“The erosion and mud are an eyesore, and the noise is stopping visitors from enjoying what is a usually peaceful bay.”

DOC and police are working together to keep Whakaipo Bay the special place that locals know it to be.

“DOC compliance officers and police will have a more regular presence at the bay, and we’ll be working together to apprehend those responsible for the damage.”

It is an offence under the Reserves Act 1977 to willfully cause damage to part of a reserve.

Those convicted are liable for a fine of up to $100,000 or up to one year in prison.

Off-roading behaviour at Whakaipo bay can be reported to 0800 DOCHOT (0800 362 468).

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  25 August 2023

The area was damaged during the May 2023 weather events, and repairs are expected to take 4-6 weeks to complete.

DOC Kaitaia Operations Manager Meirene Hardy-Birch says though there may be disruptions, most of the time visitors will still be able to access part of the area around the lighthouse and signpost and experience the vast and breathtaking views from this site and access the car park and toilets.

“On occasion the track may need to be closed for 1-2 hours while the contractor moves machinery or materials along the track,” says Meirene.

“The safety of visitors and the contractors working at site is a priority which is why restrictions will be in place where needed.”

Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua is a place of great significance to Māori and suffered damage during severe weather in Northland in early May 2023.  

Te Paki Recreation Reserve including the viewing area near the lighthouse at Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua were affected, and the track was temporally closed for assessment by engineers, then reopened with a barrier around the damaged area to keep visitors safe.

DOC and local iwi Ngāti Kurī have been working together to determine the work programme and have engaged local iwi contractor Far North Roading to undertake the repair work. The work is planned to start at the end of August and finish late September depending on the weather.

Sheridan Waitai from the Ngāti Kuīi Trust Board says while repair work at Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua is a positive step, people need to remember cyclone damage is extensive across the whole Te Paki Recreation reserve and has affected several walking tracks, and it may take some time to get the full range of visitor experiences (walking tracks) back in place and safe for visitor use by this summer season.

For more information check the DOC website for alerts before your visit.

Note:

Work is already underway on two storm damaged roads in Te Paki, Tapotupotu Road and Te Paki Stream Road.

Tapotupotu Road enables access to Tapotupotu campground. It has been closed since May due to road damage and is expected to be open by 25 August. Te Paki Stream Road which accesses the giant sand dunes remains open while work is ongoing. 

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  25 August 2023

Ngāi Tahu and the Department of Conservation (DOC) released 18 takahē on the Ngāi Tahu tribal property Greenstone Station Wednesday 23 August, with Ngāi Tahu rangatira Tā Tipene O’Regan overseeing the release.

Tā Tipene has enjoyed a connection with takahē since first meeting the taonga during an expedition with Dr Geoffrey Orbell in 1949, one year after takahē were rediscovered.

“I have been enraptured by takahē since I was a boy, so it is very satisfying to release our taonga on our own whenua as we move towards a shared goal of seeing takahē throughout the Ngāi Tahu Takiwā.”

DOC Takahē Recovery Operations Manager Deidre Vercoe says attempting to set up a third wild population is another pivotal step towards the takahē recovery goal of multiple takahē populations living wild over large areas of their former range.

“Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and DOC work closely together on the Takahē Recovery Programme, in partnership with National Partner Fulton Hogan and the New Zealand Nature Fund, so it’s especially pleasing to be bringing takahē back to Ngāi Tahu whenua. We were pleased the Minister of Conservation Hon Willow-Jean Prime was able to take part in the release and join this special occasion. 

“Around half of all takahē are now living in large wild sites, in the takahē homeland in Fiordland’s Murchison Mountains and in Kahurangi National Park, where takahē were first released in 2018.

“With takahē numbers nearing 500 and growing at around 8% a year, new homes are needed. After decades of hard work to increase the takahē population, it’s rewarding to now be focusing on establishing more wild populations, but it comes with challenges.

“Establishing new wild native species populations can take time and success is not guaranteed. If we want takahē to thrive, we need to explore new sites and learn as much as we can to protect the birds now and into the future. We will closely monitor the takahē in the Greenstone Valley to see how they establish in their new home.”

With the manu/birds now released, people walking the Greenstone Track or hunting in the valley will have the chance of seeing takahē roaming wild in their natural tussock land habitat.

“Greenstone Station is a fitting home for our takahē. It has immense spiritual and cultural significance for Ngāi Tahu whānau and was a traditional pounamu and mahinga kai trading route between Te Tai o Poutini and Ōtākou,” says Tā Tipene.

Next month marks 25 years since the Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act passed, which saw Greenstone and two other high-country stations return to Ngāi Tahu. Tā Tipene was the Chief Negotiator for the iwi during that process.

“In recognition of the historic grievances of Ngāi Tahu, mana whenua named the mountain tops Kā Whenua Roimata – The Lands of Tears. I hope manuhiri/visitors will enjoy the nearby call of the takahē radiating from the valley floor during future hīkoi on this whenua,” says Tā Tipene.

Fulton Hogan New Zealand CEO Ben Hayward says that these results highlight the value of organisations working together in true partnership toward a common goal.

“This partnership is one we’re incredibly proud to be involved with, and our people take great pride in the role we play alongside DOC and Ngāi Tahu to see the takahē population thrive.”

Deidre Vercoe says the Greenstone Valley was selected as a third wild site for takahē because it appears to have suitable habitat and predator numbers can be maintained at low numbers.

“The Greenstone Valley habitat is similar to the valley floor habitat in the Murchison Mountains but larger in area. It has the staple food for takahē including tussock, sedges, and importantly it has a large amount of Hypolepis millefoium – summer green fern – which sustains takahē through harsh winter conditions.

“It is planned to follow this release of nine breeding-age pairs with the release of another seven subadult birds in October and up to 10 juvenile takahē early next year. If a population successfully establishes in the Greenstone Valley, expanding the takahē population over the upper Whakatipu Waimāori valleys will be considered.

“Trapping of stoats, ferrets and feral cats has knocked down predator numbers and is continuing to keep them low which is crucial for sustaining takahē populations in the wild.  We’re grateful to partner organisations for trapping that supports the return of takahē to the Greenstone Valley.”

Funding from Takahē Recovery Programme National Partner Fulton Hogan has provided 45 ferret traps and 25 cat traps that are installed in the valley.

Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust has provided stoat traps and assisted with maintaining the trap network in preparation for the takahē. It is also carrying out additional stoat, possum, and feral cat control at the head of the lake around the Routeburn, Dart and nearby valleys from $416,000 Jobs for Nature funding granted by DOC. This includes trapping of feral cats on the road to the Greenstone Valley, with support from Southern Lakes Sanctuary.

Air New Zealand, as part of its 10-year partnership with DOC, is contributing to protecting takahē through its funding of biodiversity work in the Routeburn and Greenstone Valleys, which includes traplines in the Greenstone Valley.

Background information

• Fulton Hogan joined with DOC as a national partner to the Takahē Recovery Programme in July 2016. Its support has enabled the recovery programme to grow its work.
• The New Zealand Nature Fund has a long-standing association with the programme and joined the DOC and Fulton Hogan partnership in July 2016, providing administration and advocacy support.
• Takahē recovery is also supported by teams at 18 island and mainland sanctuary sites that provide safe breeding places for takahē to grow their numbers.
• Takahē were traditionally a resource for Ngāi Tahu tīpuna/ancestors, who used feathers for weaving korowai/cloaks and kākahu/clothes. Bones were also likely used as needles and for making items.
• Seven of the 18 Ngāi Tahu Papatipu Rūnanga have a shared interest in and around Whakatipu Waimāori, Tāhuna and the inland Ōtākou region, referred to as ‘tuawhenua’. Those seven rūnanga are: Te Rūnanga o Moeraki, Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou, Hokonui Rūnanga, Oraka Aparima Rūnaka, Te Rūnanga o Awarua and Waihōpai Rūnaka. The release has their full support.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  25 August 2023

The track was created in partnership between DOC, Ngāti Waewae and the families of the 29 men who died as a result of the Pike River mine disaster in November 2010. The Pike families wanted to create social and economic benefits for the West Coast including sustainable and resilient jobs in local communities.

A DOC report ‘Paparoa National Park Management Plan – Paparoa Track Visitor Use Review’ has assessed the first two years of visitor use of the track, from 1 March 2020 to 28 February 2022. 

DOC Western South Island Director Operations Mark Davies says it shows the track has more than lived up to expectations.

“In terms of hut bednights the track has been one of the higher-performing Great Walks comparable with the Kepler and Routeburn. When we did the track feasibility study in 2015 we set an optimistic target of 2500 hut bednights for the first year of operation. We far exceeded that with 4720 bednights in 2020/21 and 6620 in 2021/22.” 

The track opened shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic forced border closures.

“Despite the pandemic it was a top performing Great Walk during 2021-22 as many New Zealanders wanted to check out the country’s newest great walk; 93% of visitors reported being very or extremely satisfied with their experience”, says Mark Davies.

The report shows between 22-26% of those using the dual use track are mountain bikers. An estimated 1000 per year are either riding right through in one day or doing day trips from the Blackball end. There are also plenty of mountain bikers coming in for the day at the Punakaiki end of the track, via the Waikori Road access, as well as day walkers coming through the Pororari River Track entrance.

Ninety percent of track users said they had no issues with it being a shared track.

The review included a survey of the surrounding community and businesses to assess the economic and social benefits the track has provided. Direct spend in the surrounding area from Paparoa Track overnight visitors is estimated to be approximately $3.38 million.”

Responses show 11 permanent full-time equivalent jobs and 16 full-time equivalent seasonal jobs have been created in the community following the track opening.

“Interestingly the Paparoa Track is attracting an older age profile with 50-55% of visitors in the 50–69-year age bracket compared with a median age of 31 on the Great Walks generally”, says Mark Davies.

“Most domestic track users are currently coming from Canterbury, Wellington, Nelson/Tasman, Auckland and Otago. We’re expecting international visitor numbers to rise to 24-38% of walkers and 16% of bikers in future.”

However, it hasn’t all been plain sailing, he says. “The Paparoa Track is still in its infancy and the first two years were affected by Covid, severe weather and closures from road works. There are higher maintenance costs with a track such as this due to its specific design for dual use and as it is still ‘bedding down’.

“We’re planning to open the Pike29 Memorial Track this summer which will bring a change to overnight and day visitors use. The impact of these changes won’t be fully clear until surveys are completed after June 2025.

“Because of that we’re unlikely to make any big decisions on hut extensions or provision of camping sites until after June 2025.”

The report was presented to the West Coast Conservation Board today. It had already been shared with Pike families and Ngāti Waewae.

Paparoa Track Great Walk – Visitor Use Review (PDF, 1,824K)

More information

The ‘Paparoa Track Great Walk – Visitor Use Review – monitoring and evaluation report’ informs the West Coast Conservation Board about the Paparoa National Park Management Plan Milestones and the track’s first two years of visitor use.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  23 August 2023

The season runs from 1 September to 30 October. DOC Biodiversity Ranger Tony Milner says it’s important whitebaiters keep themselves safe, particularly at the margins of the sea and rivers.

“Whitebaiters using waders should wear belts, and they should consider wearing lifejackets if around deep or turbulent waters,” says Tony. “They should also let people know where they are going and when they should be home again.”

Whitebaiters are reminded to understand and follow the Whitebait Fishing Regulations that help keep the fishery sustainable. These regulations will take pressure off the fishery, improve equity of opportunity between whitebait fishers, and increase consistency across regions. Whitebait face a range of threats and pressures, including habitat degradation, poor water quality, impeded fish passage within river systems as well as fishing pressure. 

Tony says Kāpiti Coast whitebaiters and the wider community have a shared interest in protecting valuable ecosystems like the Waikanae Estuary. 

“The Estuary provides habitat for endangered birds, freshwater fish, and invertebrates. The area of the Estuary has been reduced over the years and it’s under pressure from a range of impacts of modern life. Dogs should only be in the Estuary on the main path and path to the beach from the end of Tutere St, and they must be on leads. 

“The ongoing support of Kāpiti Coast community for protecting and restoring the Estuary and other freshwater habitats is greatly appreciated.”  

To protect the environment and public safety, driving in the Estuary and on adjacent beaches for whitebaiting is also prohibited by three separate sets of regulations administered by DOC, Greater Wellington Regional Council, and KCDC, and normal transport regulations apply. Agencies, together with Police, will be undertaking compliance monitoring and enforcement action during the whitebaiting season.

Anyone with concerns or questions about whitebaiting can call 0800 DOCHOT (0800 362468) 

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  22 August 2023

Between 2016 and 2018, DOC received complaints about kiwi handling practices and a number of kiwi deaths at the Hawke’s Bay sanctuary. This was reported publicly at the time.

Today the Department released an in-depth report commissioned by Director-General Penny Nelson, into the complaints made and how DOC managed Wildlife Act permits.

“DOC didn’t respond in the way I would expect myself, so I asked for this review to identify what improvements are still needed,” says Penny Nelson.

Independent reviewer David Shanks found a range of factors contributed to 25 kiwi deaths at Cape Sanctuary in the summer of 2016/17, including staff turnover, a very dry summer, and predation at the Sanctuary. There was no evidence the deaths were caused by overhandling.

However, the review found DOC’s systems were inadequate, and recommends significant improvements to the issuing, documentation, monitoring, and reporting of permissions under the Wildlife Act, as well as improving complaints management.

“DOC should have done better and we accept all the review’s recommendations. It’s our responsibility to protect kiwi and we need to do everything we can to help them thrive,” says Penny Nelson.

“We’re committed to making the changes within DOC that we need to. We’re already working on some recommendations and have a plan in place to implement the rest over the next one to two years.

“DOC has to be match fit for the important job it does, so my focus has been on strong leadership, a clear strategy, sharper operating structures, greater fiscal discipline and an unrelenting focus on conservation.

“Our programme of work will include reviewing existing wildlife authorities to make sure the right checks and balances are in place. We are also replacing our permissions database, improving training for DOC staff in monitoring roles, and strengthening our compliance approach.

“Some of the recommendations have already been implemented, while others will take more time. We have already worked closely with Cape Sanctuary in the past seven years to improve the way kiwi are managed there.

“Sanctuaries are important for kiwi conservation. In the wild, in areas without predator control, fewer than 5% of kiwi chicks survive to adulthood.  Sanctuaries that creche kiwi chicks raise kiwi until they’re big enough to withstand predators and can be released into the wild.

“Cape Sanctuary, like many other sanctuaries, has helped increase the number of brown kiwi over the last 30 years.

“Kiwi do really well under close conservation management and as a result of good work, currently no kiwi is classified as critically endangered, but we must continue to be vigilant.

“By partnering with others, including private conservation entities, we better protect nature.”

Download the independent review (PDF, 1,443K)

Read DOC’s response to the review

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  21 August 2023

“We want to encourage fresh, innovative research to help Aotearoa New Zealand reach its conservation goals such as thriving indigenous species and ecosystems, and the enrichment of people’s lives through conservation,” DOC’s Chief Science Advisor Mike Bunce says.

“Applications that align research with DOC and LINZ’s Long-term Insights Briefing – which covers remote sensing, AI and genetic tools – will be of particular interest to DOC this year.”

Mike Bunce says both mainstream science and/or mātauranga Māori approaches that map onto the departments 2023 postgraduate scholarship research priorities are welcome.

Eight scholarships worth up to $15,000 each are being offered. DOC is funding six scholarships and the remaining two are funded in collaboration with Tiakina Kauri (the Kauri Protection Agency within Biosecurity New Zealand) and the Environmental Protection Authority.

“This is the fourth year this scholarship scheme has run and there are now a cohort of early career researchers that are kicking goals in conservation – there is a buzz across the Department that we are able to help support students across the University sector” said Mike Bunce.

Applications for the scholarship are open to fulltime or part time Master’s students enrolled at a New Zealand university or NZQA accredited tertiary institution, who plan to do research on a relevant topic in the 2024 academic year.

Applications close 2 October 2023.

For application information, visit the Postgraduate scholarship programme web page. 

Related links

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  18 August 2023

On the morning of 16 August, a DOC ecologist and the developer-contracted ecologists inspected the entire area, from the beach to the breakwater, for kororā sign and activity.

DOC’s understanding is the developer’s ecologist checked the site for kororā in the morning to ensure the placement of the rocks that afternoon, to reinstate the breakwater in and around the wharf, would not impact the birds.

The ecologists located three burrows in the area which were occupied by kororā who are sitting, or likely to be sitting, on eggs.

The ecologists inspected the area adjacent to and underneath the wharf, where the rocks were subsequently placed. There were no active burrows or penguins in residence at the location. One active burrow (burrow 10) was immediately adjacent to the area where rocks were subsequently placed.

The rocks were placed largely on bare earth, near where the wharf connects to the breakwater. Such areas do not provide shelter to kororā.

On 17 August, following community concerns of that kororā were trapped overnight, DOC staff re-visited the Kennedy Point Marina area.

Our DOC ecologist thoroughly checked the area, and confirmed there were no kororā present under the newly placed rocks.

They reconfirmed the presence of the bird in burrow 10, and ensured it had access in and out of the burrow. The rocks had been placed on the formerly bare earth to the left of the burrow.

A former burrow site under the wharf, burrow 5, has shown no penguin activity since June 2022. Previous rock settling from before 16 August had made it inaccessible to penguins.

During the day, penguins that are not nesting go out to feed and return to the area at night. It is likely they will explore the newly placed rocks in the days to come. If they were to navigate under the new rock pile, they would do that of their own accord and therefore they would be able to exit. Kororā calling at night is part of their usual behaviour.

We will continue to stay in contact with community, iwi, and council on their concerns.

The developer is required to work within the resource consent conditions issued by Auckland Council, which includes the Penguin Management and Monitoring Plan.

Related links

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  17 August 2023

After extreme weather events in January and February caused landslips and rockfalls – and damaged tracks to the point some are impassable – the Department of Conservation has urged people to stay away from Cathedral Cove and nearby bays, and the network of tracks connecting them.

Following those weather events, DOC commissioned Tonkin + Taylor (T+T) to produce a landslide risk assessment report for the area. DOC also requested the report include options for mitigation of track damage.

T+T’s report is the result of several site visits by the company’s specialists. The report highlights the need for practical risk reduction strategies at the site.

DOC Hauraki-Waikato-Taranaki Regional Director Tinaka Mearns says DOC’s internal review of the T+T report, when set against DOC’s own visitor safety framework and measures, has determined an increased risk of injury or fatality at the location.

“The report details ongoing risk of landslide across the wider site,” Tinaka Mearns says.

“Across the 3.8km of tracks around Cathedral Cove and the adjacent bays, 180 historical or recent landslides were identified. Beach cliffs, including those overlooking Cathedral Cove were described as ‘particularly hazardous’ due to ongoing landslides and rockfall.”

Landslides washed away sections of the main track down to Cathedral Cove, and the report signals more of the same kind of damage could emerge.

DOC’s Visitor Safety Team has determined the associated risk is at the top end of the scale DOC can manage for the type of day-trip visitors who have traditionally visited Cathedral Cove.

With the main track to Cathedral Cove extensively damaged and at risk of further instability – and no “quick fixes” available for other tracks compromised tracks in the area – DOC will not reinstate the current walking routes down to the beach for this summer.

Visitors are also strongly urged not to go through the cove’s famous arch, with debris falling from the arch to the sand below as recently as last weekend (12/13 August).

However, within the next few weeks visitors will be able to return to the beach via the Te Whanganui-A-Hei Marine Reserve.

“Renewing access to Cathedral Cove from the sea allows people to go there – but we want to make very clear there is still risk associated with going to this site and people need to inform themselves properly before visiting,” Tinaka Mearns says.

“There is still potential for rockfall landslides at these sites, and we need to emphasise this to the public.  You go at your own risk.”

DOC will also decommission the toilet block at Cathedral Cove beach. Visitor numbers to Cathedral Cove will be monitored by DOC’s Coromandel District team.

“We need to make sensible long-term investments at this site, rather than spend money on short-term solutions which are not sustainable and will not withstand the increasing extreme weather events caused by climate change,” Tinaka Mearns says.

Ngāti Hei, the local iwi to which Cathedral Cove is a significant site, will lift its rāhui over the area, in place to protect visitor safety since last summer’s extreme weather events.

Today’s announcement comes during Conservation Week, which encourages people to ‘take action for nature’.

“We’re making this announcement during Conservation Week because we are taking action for nature by developing a longer-term sustainable plan for this site,” Tinaka Mearns says.

“We want to work with stakeholders and iwi to reimagine the wider Hahei area and experience, so it is safe, enjoyable and is in line with our conservation goals and strategies. We’ve contracted an experienced project manager to commence work on a plan to reimagine the Hahei conservation experience – a project which will include community consultation on future options.”

DOC has updated website information on Cathedral Cove on its website, including making the T+T report publicly available.

Background information

Cathedral Cove is an iconic visitor destination, famous for its idyllic coastal location and natural archway. It has historically received up to 250,000 visitors a year.

The site is managed by DOC with support from Ngāti Hei, the local iwi.

Extreme weather events in January and February 2023 – including Cyclone Gabrielle – caused storm surge, landslides, erosion and rockfall at Cathedral Cove.

The damage to tracks, stairs and natural features like cliff faces and slopes was significant. 

People have still been able to visit Te Whanganui-a-Hei Marine Reserve, adjacent to Cathedral Cove but were asked not to land on the beach.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  17 August 2023

On 1 June, heavy rainfall triggered a landslide which produced a large debris flow that washed out a section of Wilmott Pass Road, damaged buildings, and blocked a significant concrete culvert.

Early geotechnical findings released in recent days show there is a significant risk further heavy rain could trigger more landslides and debris into the path of the accommodation facilities, which are used as a popular school camp.

Emergency remedial works in the days following the June slip
Image: DOC

DOC operations director Southern South Island Aaron Fleming says while the findings are preliminary, the current information is clear.

“Based on the current information, neither DOC nor the Deep Cove Education Trust are comfortable having people continue to stay overnight.

“We’re working with expert geotechnical engineers urgently to gain a better understanding of the risks, and what possible remedial measures could be used to enable a safe reopening of the site. This work is expected to take some time to complete and requires further detailed assessments of the site.”

“We understand this closure will be disappointing news for those who have fond memories of their experiences there, and those who were looking forward to future camps, but safety has to come first.”

Deep Cove camp is known as a rite of passage for many school-aged children from around Southland and Otago, with a camp history stretching back to the 1970s.

Deep Cove Outdoor Education Trust chairman Mike MacManus says the decision was not made lightly.

“Visitor safety has to be our first priority and in this situation we are very pleased to be working with the experienced team at DOC Te Anau, and industry experts, and have confidence in reaching a timely resolution.”

“As a Trust, our focus is on the young people who attend and love our camps at Deep Cove, and they are the reason we do what we do.”

The Trust is working directly with schools who may be impacted by the closure, while DOC has notified other businesses and users who are affected.

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