Category: Department of Conservation

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. 

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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.

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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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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  17 August 2023

The call comes in Conservation Week which celebrates conservation work across the country and encourages people to take action for the environment.

The message to West Coast lake users is clean, check, dry and report to stop freshwater pests from spreading in local waters which have some of the most outstanding natural values in the country.

DOC Hokitika Operations Manager Owen Kilgour says some pest threats, such as lindavia (lake snow), can’t be seen by the naked eye on a tramping boot or boat.

“A single drop of water, plant fragment or fish egg can be all it takes to spread an invasive freshwater pest from a contaminated waterbody to a pristine one.”

“Pests to look out for on the West Coast include gambusia or mosquito fish, rudd, koi carp, oxygen weeds (hornwort, egeria, lagarosiphon), and Parrot’s feather. Some of these such as gambusia, koi carp, and hornwort aren’t on the Coast, while others have very limited distribution. If we all do our bit we can prevent the spread.”

Freshwater pests which get into lakes squeeze out native freshwater vegetation and fish. Weeds such as lagarosiphon are bad for water quality and reduce dissolved oxygen, which affects native species and sports fish habitats.

Where freshwater weeds grow in waterways and drains, they exacerbate flooding in the surrounding catchment. Both pest fish and weedy plants are extremely difficult and expensive to get rid of once established.

“We all need to do our bit and protect our lakes by always checking, cleaning and drying gear that’s been in contact with water before moving on,” Owen Kilgour says. “Early detection is essential to managing new incursions and preserving lake quality.”

West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) leads an annual surveillance programme in conjunction with DOC’s Freshwater Biosecurity programme to detect incursions of introduced freshwater weeds on the West Coast.

WCRC Biosecurity Coordinator Taylor Blyth says each summer a number of lakes are selected for surveillance based on incursion risk and previous surveillance history.

“The problem species we’ve found in West Coast waterbodies which are the biggest worry are lagarosiphon major, and egeria densa. Lagarosiphon is already in Lakes Paringa and Ianthe and the Kapitea Reservoir. Egeria is known to occupy two sites within the region.

“We’re using environmental DNA (eDNA) as part of our surveillance so we might pick up a new incursion, but as our checks are only done annually it’s not a silver bullet. The most effective approach is to stop weeds, such as lagarosiphon, from spreading to lakes like Moeraki just down the road from Paringa.”

Taylor Blyth says jet boaters visiting the Coast from Canterbury or Central Otago could potentially spread freshwater pests to every waterbody they visit.

“South Westland communities are concerned about the lagarosiphon and we’re working to progress weed cordons in these lakes to reduce the chance of spreading elsewhere. One of our next steps with the surveillance programme is to do an intensive grid search late spring,” says Owen Kilgour.

“But unless we all work hard to check and clean equipment, then report any pests found while enjoying what the West Coast has to offer, it’s only a matter of time before pests spread.”

Discoveries of any freshwater pest should be reported via the Find a Pest or iNaturalist apps. People can also contact WCRC directly by emailing clear photographs and coordinates to info@wcrc.govt.nz. 

Further information

Check, Clean, Dry, Report

• Check: Remove any plant matter from your gear and leave it at the site (the river or lake bank) or put it in the rubbish. Don’t wash plant material down any drain.
• Clean: Use 10% dishwashing detergent mixed with water and leave the item wet for 10 minutes.
• Dry: Ensure your gear is completely dry to touch, inside and out, then leave dry for at least another 48 hours before you use it (didymo can survive for months on moist gear).
• Report: Find a Pest or iNaturalist

Conservation Week

Conservation Week runs from 14-20 August with a theme of taking action for nature.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  16 August 2023

Reports are flooding into the Whanganui DOC office of seal sightings.

“We call it seal silly season,” says Marine Science Advisor Laura Boren. “Despite it happening every winter, it’s always a surprise for people to come across seals in unexpected locations.”

“Encountering seals this way is actually reflects the strong recovery of our seal populations, so enjoy the unique experience – from a safe distance.”

Young kekeno/seals, along with males of any age, leave their breeding colonies between May and September, making it prime season to spot them in odd places.

Although kekeno are marine mammals, they spend much of their time basking on rocky shores and occasionally explore much further inland.

“People’s protective instincts come up when they see young pups alone, or seals doing normal seal things like regurgitating, sneezing, or crying.”

“These are all typical behaviours for seals. Please call the DOC hotline only if they are in immediate danger, severely injured, or tangled in rubbish.”

Those frequenting beaches this seal silly season can help keep kekeno safe by having dogs under control.

“If you’re walking your dog where seals are regularly seen, or if you see a seal – put your dog on a lead until you are well away.”

DOC’s Lead the Way programme offers guidance for dog behaviour around coastal wildlife.

If you see a seal which is severely injured, being harassed, or in obvious danger, call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  14 August 2023

The captive-raised and critically endangered taonga were released into the Tasman and Godley rivers just in time for Conservation Week, running from August 14-20. The annual event celebrates conservation work across the country and encourages people to take action for the environment.

The released birds included juveniles from an important female kakī remaining in captivity named Māwhero. She had several clutches of chicks with a new mate named Manunui, who she paired up with in a remarkable way, after tragically losing her first partner Wiremu.

DOC Kakī Recovery Programme Wild Lead Claudia Mischler says the wild adult population is up to about 156 adult birds (not including those just released), and is generally trending up over time, though it fluctuates quite a bit.

“They [kakī] have had a long journey since the 1980s when they were down to 23 adults, they’ve come a long way now.”

She says staff will provide the newly released sub-adult kakī with supplementary feeding for the next few weeks to help them settle into their new environment while they are learning to fend for themselves.

Claudia says the breeding programme is very successful and work is happening to improve the birds’ survival rates in the wild.

Kakī are vulnerable to introduced predators and extensive trapping takes place across the Mackenzie Basin, including through the Te Manahuna Aoraki Project and Project River Recovery programmes, with support from local landowners.  

“An action people can take to help kakī is to be aware and take care if fishing or otherwise out on riverbeds, as kakī or other birds may be around – especially over summer months when birds are nesting,” Claudia says.

“If there’s a bird nearby and it seems to be annoyed, move on and give them space.”

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Kakī Species Representative Rynee de Garnham has been coming to kakī releases for five years and says releasing manu for their first flight in the open is always a special experience.

“Being able to see that, and watching the population increase, there’s nothing else like it.”

Rynee says its important there are opportunities like this for Ngāi Tahu whānau to engage and be better acquainted with the species, and to contribute to the species success in the wild.

“My dream is for kakī to one day be found all across Aotearoa, and there will no longer be a need for the Kakī Recovery Programme.”

Captive rearing for wild release takes place at DOC’s Twizel facility and The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust in Christchurch. It is a significant part of the Kakī Recovery Programme.

One significant bird held in captivity is Māwhero, who comes from a lineage that’s underrepresented in the wild which means she’s important for the genetic diversity of the species.

She was offered several suitors and originally partnered with a male called Wiremu. The pair had a very successful first breeding season but then, unfortunately, Wiremu died suddenly due to cancer in February 2022, leaving Māwhero to raise their chicks on her own.

In November, a wild male kakī began hanging around DOC’s captive breeding aviaries in Twizel. He was particularly interested in Māwhero so staff opened the door and let the male in, and they soon formed a pair.

After looking back at the records, it was determined the male, named Manunui, was one of the birds originally trialled with Māwhero and although they were friendly then, there didn’t seem to be any romance between them, so Manunui had been released into the wild in January.

The new couple were very successful this breeding season, raising several clutches of chicks, which means Māwhero’s valuable genetics were passed on and spread into the wild.

For more information about kakī and the recovery programme visit doc.govt.nz/kaki

Kakī release in the Tasman Valley, August 10 2023. Image: Liz Brown/DOC

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  14 August 2023

Monitoring data shows rodent numbers in the area remained low until at least May when the last results came in, following the aerial 1080 predator control operation in December last year.

Department of Conservation Senior Biodiversity Ranger Rebecca Teele says this is continuing to provide much needed relief for native species in the area.

“These valleys are home to rare and vulnerable species like mohua, rock wren, kea, whio and long tailed bats. Before the operation, all indications were pointing towards a tough breeding season with rat numbers in particular forecast to increase after a mast – or seeding event last summer.

“The operation gave some of our most precious and threatened native wildlife a chance to breed and raise their young last summer without the threat of introduced predators.”

While most monitoring data for native species won’t be available until this coming summer, anecdotally, DOC has received reports from visitors, hut wardens and other staff that the bird song in the area is the best it’s been in years. Long-term monitoring of long-tailed bats is showing a gradual increase thanks to ongoing predator control efforts.

“Even more incredibly, a member of the public came across a mohua on the Routeburn Track that, based on the colour combination on its leg band, was at least ten years old. Given the predation pressure present at times this is a huge win.”

Yellowhead/mohua used to be the most common bird in South Island forests but have declined over the years with populations at sites like the Dart, Routeburn and Caples, at risk of extinction, Rebecca says.

“The timing of the operation in early summer, before beech forest seeding, along with the large size and solid shape of the predator control area, is likely the reason we have had such a good result.  It’s clear that without predator control, mohua would be lost to these valleys completely.”

With Conservation Week taking place this week, it is a great chance to reflect on the work achieved so far, and for those wanting to help protect biodiversity in their own backyard, look at contacting your nearest local trapping group and consider a installing a trap in your own backyard, Rebecca says.

DOC will continue monitoring rodent numbers over the coming months in the lead up to the spring and summer breeding season. The numbers are expected to increase over the coming months, but it’s still a huge positive that we have been able to provide respite for native species since December.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  11 August 2023

The decision comes after a meeting with Department of Conservation (DOC) staff, during which a range of issues affecting the protection of Hector’s dolphins, and how targeted marine mammal tours can add to these, were discussed.

DOC Mahaanui Operations Manager Andy Thompson says DOC staff were concerned the tours could put upokohue at further risk and had formed a preliminary view to decline the application, although no formal decision was made.

A preliminary view is reached after DOC staff have considered relevant technical advice, cultural impacts and public submissions, but before these have been discussed with the applicant.

“Whakaraupō is a busy harbour and there are already likely to be considerable cumulative effects on the local Hector’s dolphins from vessel traffic,” Andy Thompson says.

“Research from nearby Akaroa Harbour indicates tourism activities impact Hector’s dolphins, and these are cumulative alongside the effects of other vessel traffic. Impacts could include changes to behaviour including changes to when and where dolphins are found in the harbour.

“We do not think the conservation benefits from public education through tourism outweigh the potential adverse effects of this proposal, especially given there are six existing dolphin tour operations in nearby Akaroa.”

Andy Thompson acknowledges Jet Junkies staff have worked constructively with DOC while the application was being processed. This has included changing the company’s application to reduce the proposed number of daily trips and to use a Sealver, or jet ski propelled boats, so customers would not be operating jet skis near marine mammals.

Jet Junkies CEO Kevin Scovell says, “We will continue to operate our strict accidental discovery protocols around marine mammals while out on our existing Jet Ski Tours. We would like to thank DOC staff for their work, and we look forward to building on this relationship between us.”

Andy Thompson says upokohue already face challenges include disturbance, habitat reduction, overfishing, water quality, bycatch risk, warming seas, toxoplasmosis and noise.

Hector’s dolphins/upokohue are one of the world’s smallest dolphins, about 1.5m long. They are nationally vulnerable, with a population of about 15,700, and are primarily found around the South Island’s coastline. Banks Peninsula is a hotspot for the species.

More information on the application is available at Application for a marine mammal permit by Jet Junkies Limited

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  10 August 2023

Conservation Week is an annual, national celebration that encourages people to get involved in nature and conservation.

Department of Conservation Senior Ranger Katy Newton says this year the Whanganui area has a diverse programme to entice the community to take action for nature.

“We’re kicking off with a conservation themed stall at the River Market with Bushy Park Tarapuruhi, Forest and Bird, Predator Free Whanganui, Horizons Regional Council, and Sustainable Whanganui on Saturday 12 August.”

Throughout the week there will be chances to learn about predator trapping, tree-plantings and working bees, a conservation film, and opportunities to kōrero/chat with DOC staff.

“We really want to connect with our local whanau and hear about the communities’ aspirations and see how we can provide support to achieve those goals.

“There are many ways to get involved, and all of these actions, small or large, combine to have a real impact on our taonga species and environment.”

For the full Conservation Week programme visit conservationweek.org.nz.

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