Category: Environment

Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  20 August 2024

Amongst the new entrants on DOC’s List of Environmental Weeds in New Zealand 2024 are weeds increasing in distribution and invasiveness, such as Chilean myrtle, Bangalow palm, holly fern, purple-flowered iceplant, and the vine bomarea.

Like most environmental weeds in New Zealand, these species all originated as garden plants.

The new list also includes two seaweeds: undaria and caulerpa. Undaria is known as ‘the gorse of the sea’, while caulerpa was first found in New Zealand in 2021 and has the potential to smother marine ecosystems.

DOC Science Advisor Dr Kate McAlpine says New Zealand has an extraordinary number of exotic plant species – more than 25,000.

“The number of introduced plant species in New Zealand is 10 times greater than the number of native species.”

The new list comprises 386 environmental weeds, an 18% rise from the 328 weeds on the previous (2008) list.

While 112 of these weeds are entirely new additions since 2008, 54 species from the previous list were also omitted in this update.

The previous list only included weed species present on land administered by DOC, whereas the new list includes all environmental weeds irrespective of where they’re found.

Plants are categorised as environmental weeds if they are established in the wild and have significant impacts in natural ecosystems.

“Introduced plants have very few barriers to naturalisation in New Zealand, and many are quick to ‘jump the garden fence’ via bird or wind dispersal, or even people dumping their garden waste at the edge of their local bush reserve,” Kate says.

The report also carries a warning about ‘sleeper’ weeds such as Himalayan wineberry and octopus tree.

“Sleeper weeds aren’t on the list because they’re not established in the wild, or at least not yet. But these are forecast to become fully invasive, with significant impacts on our native species and ecosystems.”

Kate says climate change will only aggravate the weed problem.

“As the climate warms, many environmental weeds will be able to live in parts of New Zealand that were previously too cold. The disturbance created by extreme weather events also tends to favour invasion of environmental weeds.

“The good news is that anyone can help us get a handle of the scale of the weed problem. iNaturalist, the nature recording app, is available for people to post weed observations that can help DOC and other environmental agencies understand weed distribution in New Zealand.”

Kate says all land managers will find the list useful whether they’re iwi, hapū, farmers, councils, community groups or site managers.

“Deciding where to focus weed control efforts can be challenging – we hope this updated list of significant environmental weeds will make it easier.”

List of Environmental Weeds in New Zealand 2024

iNaturalist website

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  19 August 2024

The Mapara Wildlife Management Reserve and Conservation Area – about 90 minutes south of Hamilton in DOC’s Maniapoto operational district – is home to a significant population of kōkako, the iconic New Zealand bird species featuring on our $50 bill.

As part of a long-term protection effort, DOC’s Maniapoto team oversaw the efforts of more than 30 volunteers who spent five to six hours baiting stations intended to control rats which prey on kōkako chicks and eggs.

DOC’s Maniapoto Operations Manager Graham Kimber says he was delighted with the work of the volunteers.

“Mapara Recreation Reserve is fairly steep and undulating terrain, and our volunteers put in up to six hours of hard physical labour filling some of 2200 bait stations in the network we have across the reserve,” he says.

“Carrying a large backpack of baits and stopping every 50 metres to fill a bait station requires a lot of energy and commitment and to have so many people answer our call for help was very encouraging.

“It shows people really care about nature and our taonga species, and are willing to take action to help.”

Former DOC staff member Phil Bradfield started work at Mapara in 1987, when the kōkako protection at the site was just beginning. Back then, there were only 16 pairs of the birds – of which only four couples were male/female pairings.

“We knew kōkako were declining all over the North Island – the project at Mapara was to determine the cause of the decline, and how we could reverse that,” he says.

Mapara was the first place where intensive predator control was undertaken to protect kōkako. This led to development of prototype bait stations – one of which Phil brought with him to show those involved on Saturday.

“Mapara was the first place these bait stations were developed and used.”

Phil says he’s encouraged by the ongoing work at the site, where he spent tens of thousands of hours living in “a run-down shack”.

“I’m absolutely overjoyed the Mapara project is being reinvigorated by a team of volunteers – it’s such a special place for me and kōkako conservation history.”

The baiting undertaken at Mapara on Saturday was the first of three rounds. It will continue through until March.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  16 August 2024

The whitebaiting season takes place from 1 September to 30 October 2024. Whitebaiting rules are available on DOC website.

DOC Freshwater Species Manager Emily Funnell says it’s always great to see communities enjoying whitebaiting together and catching themselves enough for a feed.

“Whitebaiting is such an important recreational pastime in Aotearoa. The rules are in place to ensure everyone can make the most of the season in a way that’s fair, safe, and protects the fishery for future generations.

“This year, we’re encouraging whitebaiters to think about safety. Whether you are scooping for whitebait in the surf, parked up on the riverbank, or whitebaiting from a stand, it’s important to be water safe.”

Whitebaiting safety tips:

• Don’t fish from wet rocks – waves are likely to wash over them.
• Wear a life jacket and wader belt.
• Carry two waterproof communication devices at all times, such as a mobile phone in a waterproof bag, a VHF radio, or a distress beacon.
• Fish with a mate who knows the area, and share any plans and expected time of return with a trusted person. Ask them to look for you at your expected location and to call 111 if you don’t return.

Whitebaiting can be dangerous. Between 2019-2023, four people drowned while whitebaiting. These preventable deaths occurred in both the South and North Islands, and none of the victims wore lifejackets.

Emily says biosecurity is another consideration for whitebaiters.

“No matter where you whitebait, be sure to follow Biosecurity New Zealand’s updated Check, Clean, Dry advice.

“As an extra precautionary measure, if you are fishing in the Waikato, stick to
whitebaiting in only one river for the season to reduce the risk of your gear and waders spreading invasive gold clam.

“Four of the six species fished as whitebait are either threatened or at risk of extinction. By following the whitebaiting rules and Check Clean Dry advice, you’re helping take the pressure off whitebait species and their habitat,”
says Emily.

Email whitebait@doc.govt.nz for brochures summarising the whitebaiting regulations.

Visit Water Safety NZ’s website for practical information about keeping safe near, in or on the water.

Visit Biosecurity New Zealand’s website for up-to-date Check, Clean, Dry information on freshwater gold clam.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  15 August 2024

Ngāi Tahu and DOC first released 18 takahē on the Ngāi Tahu tribal property Greenstone Station in August last year to set up a third new wild population. A further 10 birds were subsequently released to form a founding population of 28 birds.  

Gail Thompson, Representative for Ngāi Tahu on the Takahē Recovery Group says when Tā Tipene O’Regan and other Ngāi Tahu whānau joined DOC and Fulton Hogan to release 18 takahē on this whenua in August last year it was highly significant.

“It has been wonderful to see how well the manu have settled into their new habitat on Greenstone Station during the past year, successfully hatching chicks and generally maintaining good health.

“I would like to acknowledge the team members on the ground carrying out the ongoing monitoring and predator control work needed to support the survival of this takahē population,” Gail says.

DOC Takahē Recovery Operations Manager Deidre Vercoe says attempting to set up a new wild population can take time, and success isn’t guaranteed, but so far signs are very positive.

“All indications are that the Greenstone Station population is successfully establishing. Most birds have not moved away from where they were released, they have successfully raised offspring, and there have been no adult deaths.

“The takahē are also in healthy condition, indicating this is good habitat for takahē and they are adapting well to their new environment.

“It’s particularly promising that eight out of 10 pairs started nesting within a few months of being released, exceeding our expectations and showing they are settled enough to breed. We believe seven to 10 chicks hatched but some young chicks commonly die in the first weeks and months of life from natural causes.

“It’s positive that five chicks survived to more than six months of age as this is a higher rate of survival than occurs at other wild sites, in Fiordland’s Murchison Mountains and Kahurangi National Park. Unfortunately, one of the five juveniles had to be euthanised due to injury.

“Predator control is crucial for the survival of takahē in the wild and we’re encouraged that trapping in the Greenstone Valley has so far helped prevent any of the adults being predated. But late winter is a vulnerable time as the number of rats in the area reduce due to lack of food, and stoats, ferrets and feral cats that prey on rats can then switch to native birds for food.”

Returning takahē to the Greenstone Valley, where they likely lived centuries ago, is another significant advance for the Ngāi Tahu and DOC Takahē Recovery Programme with National Partner Fulton Hogan and the New Zealand Nature Fund. The national population now numbers around 500, with annual growth around 8% a year. The takahē recovery focus is now on establishing new wild populations to progress the goal of having multiple takahē populations living wild over large areas of their former range.

Anne and Stu Percy, who manage the Greenstone Station on behalf of Ngāi Tahu, have found that cattle and takahē are able to co-exist very well.

“Our working dogs have all been through the takahē aversion training programme,” Anne says.

“The DOC team have been great at keeping us up to date with their monthly reports on the birds, their GPS tracking and how they’re doing.

“It has been exciting to see that some chicks have arrived and are thriving in their new environment,” Anne says.

Fulton Hogan New Zealand CEO Ben Hayward says the Takahē Recovery Programme’s success in increasing the national population to around 500 birds is a significant milestone, and one which Fulton Hogan is immensely proud to have contributed toward.

“The thriving takahē population at Greenstone Station is a testament to the collaborative efforts of Ngāi Tahu, DOC, and our team at Fulton Hogan. Seeing these birds adapt and raise offspring in their new environment is incredibly rewarding.”

The unfortunate injury to a juvenile takahē which led to its euthanasia occurred last month when DOC rangers were catching birds to check their health and weight, which is important for determining if the habitat is suitable.

“The juvenile bird’s leg was unfortunately broken when being caught by an experienced DOC ranger to fit identification leg bands and a radio-transmitter,” says Deidre Vercoe.

“Radio transmitters are important for tracking birds’ movements and are critical to understanding the longer-term population success of this new site.   

“Transmitters last four to five years and over this time enable us to confirm if a bird is alive and to track its location. This information is vital for informing our predator control intensity, and to inform next steps of potentially expanding the population into surrounding areas.

“Vets made multiple attempts to reset the broken leg, but these were unsuccessful. The bird would not survive in the wild with this injury so for its welfare it was euthanised.

“While there is always an element of risk, it is extremely rare for takahē to be injured during capture due to the skill and experience of takahē team members. This is one of few times it has happened in many thousands of bird captures in the 20 years of the Takahē Recovery Programme. This is a reminder that intensive conservation is not without risk to individual animals, but also that takahē population recovery has only been made possible through this intensive management.”

Predator trapping in the Greenstone Valley is carried out by DOC and supported by Air New Zealand, the Routeburn Dart Wildlife Trust and Southern Lakes Sanctuary. 

The new wild site for takahē in Greenstone Station is a first step towards an aimed expansion of the takahē population over the upper Whakatipu Waimāori valleys. Ngāi Tahu and DOC are currently considering whether takahē might be released in the nearby Rees Valley next year (2025), providing predator control is keeping predator numbers low enough.

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.

More than half the total takahē population is now living at wild sites in the takahē homeland in the Murchison Mountains, in Gouland Downs in Kahurangi National Park and on Greenstone Station.

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 had their full support.

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Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  14 August 2024

The body of a rare basking shark has been found at Gillespies Beach in South Westland and has been removed from the beach by DOC for preservation and further study at Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Basking sharks are the second largest fish in the world, with estimated reported sizes of over 12 metres. They are filter feeders, with a diet of zooplankton.

The South Westland basking shark measures in at 3.45 m. Despite its size the specimen found on Gillespies Beach is a fairly small juvenile.  Records of juveniles and pregnant females are exceptionally rare globally meaning very little is known of the species reproductive biology. 

Dr Karen Middlemiss, Marine Science Advisor at DOC says, “DOC is very pleased to provide the specimen to Auckland Museum for necropsy and to have the support of iwi (Ngāti Māhaki) to do so. This is a hugely valuable opportunity for us to assist with filling global knowledge gaps for this elusive species.”

Clinton Duffy, Curator of Marine Biology at Auckland War Memorial Museum says that up until the early 2000’s schools of adult basking sharks, sometimes containing hundreds of adults were regularly seen around South Island during spring and summer. 

 “The abrupt disappearance of these large inshore schools has caused concern for the species’ status in New Zealand and more generally, because New Zealand was considered the hotspot for the species in the Southern Hemisphere.”

“Researchers are hoping the specimen will shed some light on the species early life. The snouts of new-born basking sharks are greatly elongated and have a groove running along the underside of them to the mouth. As they grow the snout becomes more normal in appearance. Shark biologists have yet to establish what function if any the unusual morphology (shape) of the snout plays in the life and development of the basking sharks. Most juvenile sharks are miniature versions of the adults. It’s just one of the many mysteries associated with this species,” says Clinton.

Basking sharks are a protected species under the Wildlife Act and members of the public are encouraged to report sightings to 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) or sharks@doc.govt.nz.

Background information

Basking sharks are considered globally Endangered by the IUCN Red List and Threatened-Nationally Vulnerable in New Zealand waters. 

Basking sharks are protected under the Wildlife Act 1953. This means it is illegal to hunt, kill or harm basking sharks within New Zealand’s Territorial Sea and Exclusive Economic Zone (200 nm limit around New Zealand).

Any offence under this Act is liable to a fine of up to $250,000 and six months imprisonment. Basking sharks are also protected from fishing by New Zealand vessels operating on the High Seas under the Fisheries Act 1996.

Related links

Source: Department of Conservation

Date:  13 August 2024

The sub-adult kakī, raised in captivity through the Kakī Recovery Programme, will bolster the wild population of the critically endangered taonga species. There are currently an estimated 169 wild adults nationally. The population fluctuates but is trending upwards.

DOC Twizel Senior Biodiversity Ranger Dean Nelson says 80 birds were released at Lake Tekapo/Takapō and another 78 into the Tasman Valley, with both releases taking place since the start of August. The birds were reared at DOC’s Twizel kakī facility and The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust in Christchurch.

“Staff will provide the newly released sub-adult kakī with supplementary feeding for up to six weeks to help them settle into their new environment while they are learning to fend for themselves,” says Dean.

“Two more birds are currently being treated for bumblefoot/ulcerative pododermatitis at the Wildlife Hospital, Dunedin, and will hopefully be fully recovered and fit for release soon.

“We’re also retaining eight young kakī in captivity and it’s hoped they will become future captive breeders. They have been selected to retain maximum genetic diversity in the captive population.”

Ngāi Tahu Representative on the Kakī Recovery Programme Rynee Graham says the newly released kakī face many challenges adjusting to life outside of captivity.

“So much of their new environment is unfamiliar to the manu including navigating frozen water and interacting with other bird species they have never encountered before,” Rynee says.

“While the mortality rate remains high, it is encouraging we have been able to preserve the whakapapa of the kakī to help increase their chances of withstanding threats from disease,” she says.

Dean Nelson says this past season saw the highest recorded number of breeding pairs in the wild with 41 pairs producing eggs. Ten years ago, that number was just 17 pairs.

“It’s been a positive breeding season for kakī, but they are still doing it tough in the wild as they are vulnerable to introduced predators. On average, about 30 per cent of released birds survive to adulthood.”

“Extensive trapping takes place across the Mackenzie Basin, including through the Te Manahuna Aoraki Project and Project River Recovery programmes, with vital support from local landowners.  

Dean Nelson says the recovery programme’s next goal is research to better understand the causes of mortality and develop methods to increase the survival rate.

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