Senior Ranger Community David Lynn says DOC staff have been regularly checking tracks, and have found most of the tracks in the Gisborne, Mahia, East Coast, and inland areas are standing up well after the area’s winter weather events.
“Although some areas remain very wet and muddy, they are still being used by members of the public daily and are safe to walk,” says David.
Tracks open to the public include:
Mahia Scenic Reserve Track on Kinikini Road
Mangaone Caves Historic Reserve Track – 4km north of Nuhaka.
Three Morere tracks – Cemetery, Ridge, and Nikau Loop – remain open, but are only accessible from Tunanui Road.
Gisborne tracks open include Okitu Bush Scenic Reserve, Gray’s Bush, and the Te Kuri Walkway (Te Kuri Walkway will close from 1 August to Labour Weekend for lambing, as it is a working farm).
Cooks Cove Walkway – the region’s most used track – is also open but will close from 1 August to Labour Weekend for lambing.
The Anaura Bay Track is partially open due to track damage.
Other inland tracks, like the Whinray Scenic Reserve Track at Motu and the Moanui-Koranga-Tawa Loop tracks, are also open, with two six-bunk huts on the Moanui-Koranga-Tawa Loop track (Tawa Hut and Koranga Forks Hut) available on a first-come, first-served basis. Branching off the Tawa track is a walk taking visitors to another six-bunk hut (Kahanui Hut).
“It’s important to prepare for your trips before you go,” says David. “For the most up-to-date information visit the Department of Conservation website or email gisborne@doc.govt.nz.”
The shock find came only days after the discovery of a cluster of shortjaw kōkopu eggs in the first ever documented ‘nest’ from Northland.
Freshwater ranger Fern Donovan found the eggs after hours of intensive searching along the banks of a tributary of the Waipoua River. She set up a trail cam on the nest site and checked it daily.
Left: Fern in her waders, with a waterfall the fish travel up to get to the spawning areas | Sarah Wilcox, DOC. Top right: Shortjaw kōkopu nest site | Fern Donovan, DOC. Bottom right: Translucent shortjaw kōkopu eggs on the leaves and rocks beside the stream | Fern Donovan, DOC.
“Each day there were less and less eggs – I assumed they were getting washed away by rain, but when I saw the video my heart sunk, I felt really, sad as I’d spent so much time studying the fish and got to really care about them.”
She describes the eggs as “protein pearls” that would be particularly attractive to the rodents in autumn, with high rat numbers and food supplies starting to dwindle with cooler temperatures.
The rat (or rats) was filmed returning multiple times over several nights to clean out the nest. Within 10 days the only eggs left were unviable or mouldy, and clearly no longer appetising.
Fern’s trail camera captured a rat eating the shortjaw kōkopu eggs | DOC.
A partnership with Te Iwi o Te Roroa
The rohe of Te Roroa is situated on the Kauri Coast and includes the Waipoua Forest, home of Tane Mahuta. Taoho Patuawa, science advisor for the iwi, has been closely involved with the shortjaw research project.
“With the discovery of the eggs has come the discovery of the problem. It’s a clear demonstration of the impact that pests are having on our taonga species. The work that’s been done to get to the discovery has been fantastic, but it highlights the real struggles facing the largely unheralded species.”
Taoho points out that even in a forest with good habitat, there are no guarantees of successful breeding.
“The species is clearly at-risk at this critical part of their lifecycle because of the ongoing pressures we have from pests.”
A pool in Fern’s study stream | Fern Donovan, DOC Short jawed kokopu” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/5.jpg?fit=300%2C300&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/5.jpg?fit=580%2C580&ssl=1″ tabindex=”0″ role=”button” data-id=”53871″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/5.jpg?resize=580%2C580&ssl=1″ alt=”” class=”wp-image-53871″ srcset=”https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/5.jpg?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/5.jpg?resize=300%2C300&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/5.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1 150w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/5.jpg?resize=768%2C768&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/5.jpg?resize=1536%2C1536&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/5.jpg?resize=2048%2C2048&ssl=1 2048w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/5.jpg?w=1160&ssl=1 1160w, https://i0.wp.com/blog.doc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/5.jpg?w=1740&ssl=1 1740w” sizes=”(max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px” data-recalc-dims=”1″/>A shortjaw kōkopu | DOC
DOC and Te Roroa, along with other organisations, have been working together to restore the Waipoua River from mountains to sea for more than 5 years.
“We’re walking this journey together. There’s a lot to do, but it’s the good people who make the relationship successful. We’re working with nature for the betterment of our people and the landscapes we live and work in.”
Bait stations deployed for autumn 2024
Video footage of the rat predation provided evidence for Te Roroa and DOC to put intensive predator control in place ahead of this year’s spawning season.
“We were able to move swiftly to put in a line of bait stations 50 metres apart along the stream margins, as well as another line further back,” says Fern.
The bait stations are topped up regularly so they never run out.
Triangles marking the bait line | Tom DonovanA rat caught on one of Fern’s trail cameras | DOC
“It’s a big forest so we’re assuming there will be constant re-invasion into the area. Especially at this time of year when rodent numbers are peaking.”
Tracking tunnels show that the strategy is working, with June 2024 results showing just 3% of the tunnels in the treatment area were visited by rats but 96% visited in the non-treatment area. At a control site (with no bait stations) in an adjacent area, shortjaw nests have been predated by rats.
2024 results looking promising
The 2024 breeding season at Fern’s study site got off to a great start.
“I’ve found three nests so far. The trail cam footage picked up rat predation at one nest but not all the eggs have been eaten – fingers crossed some of them make it. Hopefully they are finding the bait blocks more tasty!”
Shortjaw kōkopu eggs on leaves near the stream | Fern Donovan, DOC
She is also pleased to report that some of the eggs developed tiny black eyes.
“I’ve never seen that before – last year the eggs were all eaten before that stage. I’ve also set up drift nets in the stream so I am hopeful that we might catch some larvae as they’re washed downstream on their way to the sea.”
Fern is waiting for the next big flood to wet the eggs and trigger hatching.
A story that remains incomplete
Taoho says the innovative and dedicated work at-place has led to some pretty immediate conservation strategies.
“What Fern’s found is a neat piece of the puzzle, but the story is incomplete. We don’t know yet what success looks like for this species or what numbers should be present in the catchment.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing what we achieve this year and beyond. It’s good to have such a concentrated effort in our forest. What we’re finding out here will be really valuable for protecting this taonga species both here and in other parts of Aotearoa, and ensuring it can thrive.”
Fern’s story
Fern grew up as a ‘bush baby’ in Hokianga and spent a summer during her undergrad study working for her family business, Donovan Ecological Management.
“We surveyed the reaches of the Waipoua River looking for different fish species as part of DOC’s restoration work. It was an incredible opportunity to visit some of the most beautiful and remote places in the catchment.”
Fern (centre) with her parents Tom and Karina Donovan, getting ready for an evening studying the threatened fish | Sarah Wilcox, DOC
“Shortjaw kōkopu were the fish we saw least frequently. I didn’t have to dig too deep to see there was a whole lot that’s not known about them. I spoke to the DOC scientists who helped me identify the most important knowledge gaps, and these formed the basis of my Master’s research project at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington.”
She intensively researched the population of shortjaw kōkopu in the Waipoua River and completed her thesis in early 2024. Fern was appointed to DOC as a freshwater ranger in September 2023.
Studying the nocturnal fish population | Sarah Wilcox, DOCA shortjaw kōkopu at the study site | Sarah Wilcox, DOC
The challenges of studying a rare, nocturnal fish
Shortjaw kōkopu are only found in Aotearoa New Zealand and are the rarest of six species of native fish caught as whitebait. Their conservation status is Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable. Until Fern’s discovery, spawning sites for this species had only ever been observed in Taranaki.
“The fish lay their eggs in moss or leaf litter just out of the water during a flood or high-water event. The eggs sit on the bank for at least 2–3 weeks to develop into larvae and are then carried downstream on the next big rain event. It’s the most bizarre life history with so much room for failure – the eggs could so easily dry out or be washed away before they’ve developed!”
Fern describes the searching as literally looking for a needle in a haystack.
“I go out when the water’s dropped and look above the waterline but below the wetted edge. I use a headtorch even in the daytime as the eggs are so tiny and hard to see – only 1-2 mm in diameter. To me they are like perfect pearls.”
Shortjaw kōkopu ‘nests’ are simply a collection of tiny translucent eggs | Fern Donovan, DOC.
“The searching is very intensive and quite soul-destroying. There are so many rocky crevices and patches of leaves to look at. You can only spend about 3–4 hours at a time doing it because it’s so intense. But when you do find the eggs, they’re really obvious – hundreds of eggs sitting there. It’s the most amazing feeling!”
Fern takes her cue to start looking for eggs by monitoring the adult fish in the stream. Because they’re nocturnal, the work starts 30 minutes after sunset and finish after midnight in the summer.
“We’ve been studying the fish here for a couple of years and we see the females getting heavier in autumn as their bellies become full of ripe eggs. If they suddenly lose weight and look skinny again, you know they’ve laid eggs, so that’s the time to go out looking.”
A shortjaw kōkopu from Fern’s study site | Fern Donovan, DOCA shortjaw kōkopu being measured | Fern Donovan, DOC
When nests are found, Fern takes 4–8 eggs from each site for DNA analysis to confirm their identity. She also records detailed information about the sites such as the location, slope, canopy cover and what material they were laid in.
“This is crucial information to inform our work to secure the species both in the Waipoua River and other catchments.”
The Waipoua River is also in DOC’s Ngā Awa river restoration programme, which is working in partnership with others to restore the biodiversity of 14 rivers from mountains to sea.
Trail cameras have caught rats in the act of eating shortjaw kōkopu eggs in Northland’s Waipoua Forest. This is bad news for the threatened fish, but Te Roroa and DOC immediately leapt into action to protect the precious eggs.
DOC ranger Fern Donovan discovered three shortjaw kōkopu ‘nests’ – more than 50 eggs in a cluster – in Autumn 2023. This was the first time a shortjaw nest had been documented from Northland.
“I was astonished to find the nests. Until this discovery, the only shortjaw spawning site found in the whole country was in Taranaki.
“I set up a trail camera to monitor the nest and visited it daily. I was gutted to find the nest had fewer and fewer eggs each day.
“When I checked the trail cam, it showed a rat visiting multiples times scoffing all the fish eggs.
“I call the fish eggs ‘protein pearls’, and of course they’re appealing to rodents. After 10 days, the only eggs left behind were rotten, unviable and inedible, even for rats.”
Taoho Patuawa, science advisor for Te Iwi o Te Roroa, says Fern’s discovery is a clear demonstration of pests’ impact on taonga species.
“We now have certainty that rats are putting pressure on shortjaw kōkopu at this critical part of their lifecycle. It’s on us to act.”
The footage was all the evidence needed for Te Roroa and DOC to establish intensive predator control leading up to this year’s shortjaw spawning season, which peaks in May/June.
Rodent tracking tunnels showed the predator control strategy worked. In the predator control zone just 3 per cent of tracking tunnels were visited by rats – compared to 96 per cent in non-treated areas.
Fern found three more nests earlier in the year, and is hoping they’ll fare better than the nests discovered last year.
“Some of the eggs have developed tiny black eyes – a promising sign that they’ll make it. Last year, all the eggs were eaten by that stage.”
Taoho says he’s looking forward to seeing what can be achieved to protect the threatened fish this year and beyond.
“It’s good to have such a concentrated effort in our forest. What we’re discovering will be valuable for protecting this taonga species both here and in other parts of Aotearoa, and ensuring shortjaw kōkopu can thrive.”
Background information
DOC, Te Roroa, and other organisations are working together to restore the Waipoua River from mountains to sea. This project is part of DOC’s Ngā Ika e Heke freshwater migratory fish work to secure populations of shortjaw kōkopu, īnanga, longfin eel/tuna and lamprey across Aotearoa New Zealand.
The rohe of Te Roroa includes Waipoua forest, home of Tane Mahuta.
Shortjaw kōkopu are only found in Aotearoa and are the rarest of the six native fish species caught as whitebait. They have a threat status of Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable. A ‘nest’ of shortjaw kōkopu is 50 or more eggs, found in a cluster.
Perhaps you know your Daffy from your Donald, your Huey from your Louie and Dewey, but do you really know your ducks?
Communications and Media Advisor Krysia Nowak takes a duck-dive into the shallows for a quick wade around the ducks of Aotearoa.
Mallard-y
I’m starting with the obvious. Undoubtably, the most common and most basic (*cough*) of all our ducks is the mallard.
An introduced dabbling duck (more on this in a moment), mallards are everywhere, all up in your face, and nibbling your toes. Acclimatisation societies begun by European colonists introduced, bred, and released mallards extensively from the 1870s to the 1970s – by which time mallards had become the most common waterfowl in the country.
Female mallards are brown speckled specimens, and the males – like many in the bird world – have more glamorous feathered appearances.
Female Mallard duck. Image: Peter Reese/NZ Birds OnlineMallard drake looking for food. Image: Robbie Leslie/NZ Birds Online
What’s a dabbler?
Apparently, a dabbler is someone who takes a slight interest in a topic for a short period, but I won’t judge you for your hobby-hopping.
For ducks, being a dabbler is feeding by poking around with the bill in shallow water, accompanied by some scandalous upending behaviour displaying their rump for all to see (potentially causing quite a flap in some circles!).
Grey ducks/pārera
Despite their dreary name, these dabblers are adorable with their eye stripes and speckled bodies – and they’re almost indistinguishable from female mallards. Native to Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, these nationally critical cuties are possibly among our most endangered ducks, and in some ways our most difficult to protect. They face the normal threats (habitat loss, predators), but a far more insidious threat faces pārera: hybridization.
Hybridization occurs when animals of different species reproduce together; their offspring may show different features from the different parents, they may be sterile, or as in the case of pārera x mallard, able to reproduce further.
Mallards (see above) have a dastardly habit of hybridizing with our endemic pārera, meaning the New Zealand population of grey duck may be forever lost to the overwhelming genetics of the introduced mallard.
Pārera. Image: Neil Fitzgerald/NZ Birds Online
We might be watching one of our species disappearing in front of our eyes – and we have no way to stop it; but maybe it’s just nature doing its thing.
How to tell pārera and mallards apart? Alas, it’s almost impossible if you aren’t an expert. There’s a whole key to help photographers accurately identify their sightings. Hybrids of mallard and pārera combine the features of each in a multitude of ways. This inconsistency is their downfall; we actually aren’t even sure if there are any pure pārera left in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Male Mallard and female hybrid, Wanaka. Image: Alan Tennyson/NZ Birds Online
Pārera are native to other places, so they aren’t going to disappear completely from the world. The best thing we can do for pārera in Aotearoa is to look after our freshwater and be decent to ducks – check out the tips below.
Being decent to ducks
Be a responsible cat owner, by:
Keeping your cat indoors or contained inside a ‘catio’, especially at night
Putting your cat in a cattery when you go on holiday
Never taking them onto public conservation land.
Be a responsible dog owner
Please don’t feed ducks, feeding wild birds can:
Make them sick or make them starve because they are eating the wrong things
Make them gather in high numbers, spreading disease (we’re especially wary of this with H5N1 avian influenza spreading overseas)
Increase risks to human health by increasing the concentration of bird faecal matter
Trap introduced predators at home or in your community
Make sure to keep an eye out for Ducktales: Episode 2 and 3, still to come!
On Thursday 4 July, Department of Conservation (DOC) staff were notified a type of beaked whale around 5 m long had washed ashore near Taiari Mouth.
Upon inspection, and consultation with marine-mammal experts from DOC and Te Papa, it appears the creature was a male spade-toothed whale – a species so rare next to nothing is known about them.
DOC Coastal Otago Operations Manager Gabe Davies says if confirmed, this will be a very significant scientific find.
“Spade-toothed whales are one of the most poorly known large mammalian species of modern times. Since the 1800s, only 6 samples have ever been documented worldwide, and all but one of these was from New Zealand. From a scientific and conservation point of view, this is huge.”
DOC has been working in partnership with Te Rūnanga ō Ōtākou on next steps to make a plan for the whale’s remains. A specimen this fresh offers the first opportunity ever for a spade-toothed whale to be dissected.
The rarity of the whale means conversations around what to do next will take more time because it is a conversation of international importance, says Gabe.
Te Rūnanga ō Ōtakou chair Nadia Wesley-Smith says the rūnaka will partner with DOC for decision making from the outset.
“It is important to ensure appropriate respect for this taoka is shown through the shared journey of learning, applying mātauraka Māori as we discover more about this rare species.”
Genetic samples have been sent to the University of Auckland as curators of the New Zealand Cetacean Tissue Archive. It may take several weeks or months for the DNA to be processed and a final species ID to be confirmed.
The species was first described in 1874 from just a lower jaw and two teeth collected from Pitt Island, Rēkohu (Chatham Islands). That sample, along with skeletal remains of two other specimens found on Whakāri/White Island and Robinson Crusoe Island (Chile) enabled scientists to confirm a new species. Two more recent findings, in Bay of Plenty and north of Gisborne, helped describe the colour pattern of the species for the first time.
The whale has since been carefully removed from the beach by local contractor Trevor King Earthmoving, and local rūnaka members along with Otago Museum were also on site to support and document.
The whale is currently in in cold storage to preserve the remains until the next steps have been decided.
Background information
Because so few specimens have been found, and no live sightings have ever been recorded, little is known about the spade-toothed whale. It is classified as data deficient in the NZ Threat Classification System.
The first intact specimen was from a mother/calf stranding in Bay of Plenty in 2010. A further stranding in 2017 in Gisborne added one more specimen to the collection.
Five kea have been hit and killed by vehicles at popular waypoints on the Milford Road since April alone.
DOC Senior Ranger Biodiversity Lydia McLean says these road deaths are gutting for everyone and can be avoided if people follow simple rules.
“Kea are incredibly charismatic and naturally inquisitive parrots which is why people love seeing them on their journeys so much. However, deliberately enticing them closer by offering them food or other lures is having devastating consequences.”
“Not only is human food bad for them but feeding disrupts their natural foraging and draws them towards the road where they are at risk of being run over. Sadly, that is what occurred here.”
The kea that were run over include a juvenile male at Monkey Creek on 3 April; an adult male at the Homer Tunnel on 17 April which was witnessed by a DOC staff member; a third juvenile at Monkey Creek on 29 April; and two juveniles hit together on 14 June at Monkey Creek.
Necropsy confirmed blunt force trauma as the cause of death, and all birds were in otherwise good health and condition.
Lydia says while it’s difficult to stop kea from interacting with vehicles on their own terms due to their inquisitive nature, there are a few simple steps motorists can take to reduce the risk of hitting them.
“Slow down around kea. Take care as you pull away from stopping areas; they don’t move out of the way as fast as you would think, and never drive away if a kea is on your vehicle.”
“Remind others that feeding kea is harmful both for their health and because it encourages more scavenging behaviour and leads to more kea on the road and in harm’s way.”
DOC and the Kea Conservation Trust are encouraging the public to be kea advocates and report inappropriate interactions and sightings of people feeding kea so we can better understand how to target messaging, Lydia says.
“We do what we can to prevent feedings, including having signage at known hot spots that has clear images so it can reach non-English speaking visitors, but it still doesn’t seem to be getting through. If you see something report it to DOC.”
Gratiola concinna is a nationally endangered plant species. This rare wetland plant is particularly small and has declined due to loss of suitable habitat and pressure from introduced weeds.
It was first found on the edge of Egmont National Park in 1995, on the private property of the Hooper family at Oeo in South Taranaki. It has been actively managed since it was found at the site.
Fiona Gordon, Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust’s Conservation Manager, says the return of the plant to the sanctuary is a significant achievement for the species, creating a second population of a species few people know about.
The plant translocation represents a “welcoming home” of the species, Fiona says.
“Through this project, we’re returning the plant to the only other known location it has been found in Taranaki, the Ngaere swamp complex, within the rohe of Ngāti Tupaia, of which Rotokare is the largest remaining remnant,” she says.
The Trust’s representatives are delighted to be able to support the protection and management of this rare species, building on the fantastic work already being done by both DOC and the Hooper family.
DOC Biodiversity Ranger Joe Carson says the ongoing support of the Hooper family has been a key factor in management of the species.
“The Hoopers’ involvement with the land and the plant spans multiple generations, and their guardianship of the bush on their property has been crucial to the persistence of Gratiola concinna locally.”
“Their support has included selective grazing to maintain water levels and assisting with monitoring and weed control.”
“Ngāti Tupaia, mana whenua of the area where Rotokare is located, are happy that Rotokare can again play a huge role in protecting another threatened species,” says Ngāti Tupaia spokesperson Tane Houston.
“Ngāti Tupaia are proud of the team at the reserve and will continue to support these efforts to do right by the natural environment and all the important life forms within.”
The Gratiola concinna population on the Hoopers’ property is the only one known Taranaki population and translocation to Rotokare Scenic Reserve ensures regional persistence of this species.
Background information
Gratiola concinna is a creeping herb with rounded leaves. In comparison to the general size of the plant, it has a relatively large white flower, emerging in November.
The main threats to the plant are habitat loss through land drainage and competition from introduced weeds.
They are traditionally found in muddy hollows in forest clearings, streamsides or in turf at the margins of lakes, rivers or ponds; sometimes aquatic at edge of shallow lakes or rivers.
Rotokare Scenic Reserve is a 230 ha forested hill-country catchment, with extensive wetlands and a 17.8 ha lake. It is surrounded by a 8.2 km pest-proof fence.
Rotokare has the largest wetland and lake within a pest-proof fence in New Zealand, offering unique opportunity to care for some of our vulnerable wetland species
The Cacophony Project’s ‘DOC AI CAM’ and ASG Technologies Ltd’s ‘PredaCAM’ both use AI technology with portable ‘cameras’ to spot predators including rats, stoats and possums which sends information from remote sites to users to allow a rapid targeted response.
DOC Landscape Threats Science Manager Clayson Howell says ‘Tools to Market’ supports innovation to develop the tools and technology to help achieve Predator Free 2050.
“In this case we were looking for improved tools to detect predators in low numbers such as incursions on pest-free islands or in areas where only small numbers of predators remain.”
“These companies have both pushed the boundaries with AI seamlessly integrated into their devices to allow rapid identification of predators in the field. This will dramatically reduce the cost and speed of identifying predators, allowing for a targeted response.”
“While similar, the devices use different technologies, which may have advantages in different areas. Now they’re on the market, these tools can be used and further tested in a range of environments.”
Matthew Hellicar, Programme Manager at The Cacophony Project, says support from DOC enabled them to redesign and improve their existing thermal camera. This automatically uploads recordings to Cacophony’s cloud servers where AI automatically identifies all invasive predators and then notifies users in real-time.
“We are really pleased to have reduced both the cost and the power needs of the new DOC AI CAM. People are already using it in the field and we’re getting great feedback,” says Matthew Hellicar.
Two DOC AI CAM cameras are being used in the incursion response underway on pest free Motutapu in the Hauraki Gulf after a rat was spotted and are proving an efficient tool for monitoring.
ASG Technologies PredaCAM uses infrared technology and a cloud-based AI model that detects rats and relays instant alerts using the existing mobile network.
DOC funded development of the PredaCAM camera hardware, while Predator Free 2050 Ltd funded the rat AI model, which is still being trialled.
“We are excited about the positive impact this cutting-edge technology will have on conservation efforts across New Zealand,” says Matt Park, ASG Tech Operations Manager.
“Predator Free Wellington has already jumped on board and is trialling the PredaCAM at Mount Victoria, an area where predators remain.”
In initial field trials, the PredaCAM achieved over 80% accuracy in detecting rats in the images. Predator Free Wellington is now trialling the camera to see how well the AI works in a range of environments. The camera is optimised for urban areas using the mobile network. A subsequent release, scheduled for early 2025, will incorporate satellite coverage to support areas without network access.
These projects were two of five selected for support in the Tools to Market 2022 procurement round.
As part of its commitment to Predator Free 2050, the DOC programme allocates $1 million annually to support the development of new tools for use in predator-free projects. Since 2017, 15 projects have been funded including new lures, toxins, traps and predator detection devices.
Predator Free 2050 is an ambitious goal to eradicate rats, possums and mustelids from Aotearoa New Zealand to enable native species to thrive.
Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka today announced distribution of International Visitor Levy funding – including $5 million to build, open and maintain overland walking access to Cathedral Cove.
The track to the globally famous beach was extensively damaged by Cyclone Gabrielle, leading to a decision to keep it closed until land had stabilised and an appropriate repair could be confirmed.
Tinaka Mearns, DOC’s Regional Director for Hauraki Waikato and Taranaki, says after assessment of several options, DOC is opting for a temporary walking access reinstatement solution which will see the track available to visitors for summer 2024/25.
“Last summer visitors surveyed rated the marine-based experience to Mautohe Cathedral Cove as one of the best offered to a DOC-managed site,” Tinaka says.
“Reinstating walking access enables DOC to further support local businesses and the community while working towards more sustainable and careful management of the site. This will be complimented with ongoing work, over the next 12-18 months, to develop a long-term visitor management solution.”
Tinaka says finding a way to traverse the worst landslide on the track has been a challenge. Undamaged sections of the track will be reconnected via a new boardwalk and steps across a section of land that is more stable than other potential reroutes. Steps at the bottom of the track, where it reaches the beach, will also be rebuilt.
“We know the community is keen to see reinstatement occur as soon as possible, but we need to factor in ground conditions, weather, and tendering and procurement processes before physical work can begin,” she says.
As well as the physical work at site to reinstate walking access, DOC will be introducing visitor risk mitigations to ensure safety of people walking the track. Those mitigations may include advising people not to use the track when weather or geotechnical-related risks are considered too high.
“A level of risk will always be present at this site – landslides and rockfalls will continue to be an ongoing feature of the landscape,” Tinaka says.
“Under-pinning the decision making and approaches we’re taking is the need to manage risk for the most prominent type of “day trip” visitor at Mautohe Cathedral Cove.”
The popular Grange Rd carpark in Hahei will remain closed while DOC works through the practicalities of public access to the reserve. The carpark received significant surface/foundation damage, slumping and cracking, through extreme weather events and heavy vehicle use. High level design and investment is required to mitigate these factors.
Tinaka says the reinstatement option chosen only presents a temporary walking access solution and may not last through extreme storm events like those which caused the damage and forced the closure – such as Cyclone Gabrielle.
“We will be doing some more work on a longer-term solution to develop a visitor management plan, and consultation with the community and stakeholders will be part of that work,” she says.
The planned visitor management work is supported by mana whenua Ngāti Hei, who previously voiced concerns about the high level of tourism impacting Mautohe Cathedral Cove and the risk to visitors.
Tinaka thanked stakeholders including Thames-Coromandel District Council, Destination Hauraki Coromandel and those who’ve contributed feedback to DOC’s recent consultation process on reinstatement options.
Tinaka says DOC understands the track closure has been a frustrating situation for local residents and businesses.
“We want to thank them for their patience. We’ve had to work through a complex set of overlapping issues to reach this point.”
Background information
A special section of DOC’s website is dedicated to the department’s work at Cathedral Cove. Visit Cathedral Cove and Hahei updates for more information.
“Te taiao (our environment) is critical for the country’s present and future. Whether it’s the sound of birds in a forest or the sight of whales in the sea – we have intergenerational responsibilities to protect and enhance te taiao so future generations can visit and enjoy too.”
“Some of the projects include reinstating walking access to the beautiful Cathedral Cove – Mautohe in Coromandel after terrible damage from Cyclone Gabrielle. I have confirmed a short-term fix in time for summer.”
“This funding will also help toward eradicating pests from the Maukahuka – Auckland Island – a key step in more than 30 years of work restoring this Subantarctic World Heritage area.”
“Te Papa Atawhai – the Department of Conservation and I are always looking to better protect for our country’s rich biodiversity and special places.”
“The International Visitor Levy supports major projects protecting and enhancing New Zealand’s beautiful flora, fauna and making it easier for New Zealanders to experience nature.”
“The levy is currently a $35 cost that is charged to most international visitors to our shores, which aims to boost conservation and tourism.”
“All of this mahi (work) helps to ensure New Zealanders can continue to enjoy all the benefits of living on the most beautiful country on Earth.”
Background information
International Visitor Levy conservation funding initiatives 2024 – funding breakdown:
Coromandel’s Cathedral Cove will receive $5m to plan, build, reopen and maintain an overland track as part of continued recovery work from Cyclone Gabrielle damage.
$6 m will go towards enhancing tracks and expanding DOC’s network of short walks and day hikes so more people are encouraged to enjoy a great day out in nature.
A new programme to support the maintenance and management of Huts of Recreational Importance through partnerships will benefit from funding of $4.2 million over the next four years.
Work to eradicate the aggressive coastal weed known as sea spurge will get a boost of $1.28 m towards protecting New Zealand coastlines.
There will be a $3.65 m investment in the groundwork needed to progress the eradication of pigs, cats, and mice from Auckland Islands/Maukahuka.
Over the next three years, $5 million will be invested in information and advocacy activities to connect people to nature and visitor experiences across the country, and make it easier for people to get involved through activities like donating, volunteering and investing.
