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December 31, 2024

Conservation countdown — our top stories of 2024 | Conservation blog

Source: Department of Conservation

We take a look back and count down some of the biggest conservation stories from 2024…

10. Rosvall Sawmill kiwi rescue

In April the Rosvall Sawmill crew in Whareroa alerted us to a curious kiwi who had found its way onto their work site. With the help of rangers, along with the support of Backyard Kiwi, Kiwi Coast, and Northland Regional Council, this feathered friend was in soon in safe hands.

After a thorough check-up, the little adventurer received a clean bill of health and was released into the safety of Mount Tiger, a nearby dog-free forest with strong predator control, where she “cruised off happily.”

This heartwarming story is a testament to the strength of the kiwi population in Northland thanks to dedicated predator control efforts. Since 2009, volunteers in the area have trapped more than 25,000 invasive pests.

Photo: Rosvall Sawmill

9. Hump Ridge Track – our newest Great Walk

The Hump Ridge Track in Southland became New Zealand’s 11th Great Walk in October.

Located in Te Wāhipounamu, the south-west corner of the South Island, the track is a 60 kilometre, three-day loop through southern Fiordland’s spectacular and diverse landscape. The track provides access to the spectacular southern coastline and forests, alpine tops and historic viaducts.

Photo: Liz Carlson

8. Kākā squatters in Aro Valley

Breeding season for kākā was in full swing from September through to April. Pairs around Wellington were out prospecting for potential nesting sites and some human abodes became prime real estate for these feathered flat-hunters.

We had a few calls from people checking for rats in their attic and finding a parrot with a large beak looking back at them instead. Rangers corralled a kākā in the attic of a house in Aro Valley in September, and it wasn’t the only one.

The return of kākā to Wellington is a true success story, the population increased a whopping 250 per cent between 2011 and 2020, thanks to the work of Zealandia Ecosanctuary and community trapping efforts.

Photo: DOC

7. Manganui Gorge Bridge opens

In May we were excited to announce the opening of the new Manganui Gorge Bridge. The 100-metre-long suspension bridge is a feat of engineering and well worth a visit for the epic views of Taranaki Maunga.

The bridge will be a major feature of the Taranaki Crossing project on Taranaki Maunga. The Taranaki Crossing is a partnership between Ngā Iwi o Taranaki, DOC and Kānoa.

Photo: Taranaki Regional Council

6. Campbell Island celebrates 20 years predator-free

20 years ago, the seemingly impossible happened; Campbell Island/Motu Ihupuku was declared predator free.

Since then, the techniques and tools that the team pioneered helped propel the world into scaling up eradications of bigger and bigger islands. Now there have been over 1,000 island eradications worldwide, with Aotearoa New Zealand being responsible for the lion’s share.

We’re still using similar techniques today as we did back then, but to be able to eradicate predators from even larger islands or mainland Aotearoa, we’ll need newer, more efficient technology.

Photo: Madeleine Brennan

5. Cathedral Cove reopens

In December Mautohe Cathedral Cove reopened to walkers in time for summer.

The walking track closed after severe damage by extreme weather events including Cyclones Hale and Gabrielle in Summer 2022-2023.

The area is renowned for its dramatic natural rock arch and idyllic waters which have previously drawn 250,000 walkers annually, playing an important role in the local economy.

Photo: Frame Group

4. Rarest whale discoveries

In December mana whenua from Te Rūnanga o Ōtākau and scientists examined the rarest whale in the world for the first time ever.

The 5-metre-long male spade-toothed whale/tohora that washed ashore at Otago’s Taiari Mouth in July underwent a dissection at Invermay Agresearch Centre in Mosgiel.

Vestigial teeth were just one of many new discoveries made during the dissection. They also found that the whale had nine stomach chambers, which was previously unknown.

Photo: Michael Hayward

3. Adélie penguin visitor

A rare Antarctic visitor arrived on the shores of Petone Beach in October. The Adélie penguin had travelled thousands of kilometres from the frozen continent.

The penguin was taken to Te Kohanga/The Nest at Wellington Zoo to recover and recuperate. Our climate isn’t suitable for these cold-weather birds. Once back to full health she got a premium water taxi service from New Zealand Police into the Cook Strait, a boost to her southward journey home.

Huge thanks to Wellington Zoo Te Nukuao, New Zealand Police, and everyone involved in helping this wayward waddler on her way.

Photo: Wellington Zoo

2. Best season for Fiordland tokoeka kiwi

Kiwi numbers are increasing in a remote part of Fiordland for the first time in the history of their conservation, thanks to recent aerial predator control operations.

The population of Fiordland tokoeka at Shy Lake is now growing about 2% per year, officially turning the tide and reversing their decline. A 2% increase represents a significant win for the species at a population level.

It means not only are chicks surviving long enough to replace the adults, enough are making it to adulthood to officially grow the population.

Photo: DOC

1. Blue whale rescue on Kawau Island

In September a “highly unusual” situation occurred on Kawau Island. A pygmy blue whale, approximately 14-15 metres long, became ‘stuck’ under the private Schoolhouse Bay Wharf.

The wedged in whale quickly became international news, with media from around the world reporting on the incident. It took immense effort from all involved, and the removal of several piles from the wharf, to free the juvenile whale.

This was a huge collaborative effort, and is couldn’t have been done it without the help of the many people on the ground. From Ngāti Manuhiri, Stanaway Marine and STF contractors, and local residents, everyone played their part in this complex operation. Thank you!

Photo: DOC

We’re hoping for an even bigger and brighter year for conservation and recreation in 2025!

October 17, 2024

Future focus critical for Doubtless Bay restoration | Conservation blog

Source: Department of Conservation

Erosion-prone banks, sedimented estuaries and waterways smothered with all the worst weeds. This is the confronting riverscape in Doubtless Bay on Northland’s east coast.

Scratch below the surface though and you find secretive native fish, kōura and insects thriving in little pockets, excellent swimming holes, hapū who care deeply for their awa and whenua, and a community that totally supports work to restore the rivers. It’s for their children, mokopuna and future generations.

Climate change effects in the bay

DOC’s Ngā Awa river ranger Maddy Jopling lives in the area and has seen issues with flooding, erosion and pollution after storms and heavy rain first-hand. She’s not alone.

Farmers have come to fear heavy rain warnings, knowing they will be faced with costs to move and repair fences. Slips destabilise plantation forests and add to fine sediment being carried downstream. Hapū have noticed the loss of prime cockle beds near the Taipā River mouth in the last 20 years. Lifestyle block owners are concerned about the rivers nibbling away at their land and its value diminishing.

“We’re already seeing climate change happening here with more intense weather and more frequent, damaging floods,” says Maddy.

“And sadly, there are other things we’ll have to contend with in the future, such as worse droughts, increased risk of wildfires and sea-level rise affecting land around the coast.”

Taipā River estuary where hapū have noticed increased sediment and falling numbers of cockles in the last 20 years. Image credit: Sarah Wilcox.

Healthy rivers need healthy land

Maddy’s job as river ranger for Doubtless Bay is to work with hapū and community to restore the biodiversity of the rivers from source to sea. The bay’s three rivers and their tributaries are treated as a single catchment, so there’s a big area involved.

“It’s critical to think about the future when planting or restoring habitat for native species in Doubtless Bay. Otherwise we won’t get the improvements in river health and biodiversity that we all want.”

A local hapū collective and many local landowners, groups and agencies are interested in or are already involved in restoration work. There is also support from industry representatives.

“The hapū collective wanted to know more about how climate change is likely to affect their rohe and what they could do now to build resilience. I’d also heard a lot of people talk about how the trees they’d put in had collapsed or fencing that had been washed away by floods.”

River ranger Maddy Jopling pointing out locations of the day’s site visits. Image credit: Sarah Wilcox.

Equipping the community with best practice revegetation information

Maddy says she saw an opportunity for DOC to support future work by providing best-practice, practical information to help advise and prioritise restoration planting in the catchment.

“We wanted to help people make the best decisions about what to plant where and how to tackle the really difficult issues.

“People also told me about what had worked for them in the past. So when we were setting up the project, we knew it was going to be important to visit a whole range of different places, especially those that are typical of many places here. It makes sense that local people know their land better than anyone.”

Drawing on ecology and mapping expertise

The project started with hapū, community members and DOC science and technical staff taking forest ecologist Dr Adam Forbes and mapping specialist Dr Brad Case on a tour of the catchment. The group visited more than 20 diverse sites in the in the Awapoko, Oruru and Oruaiti subcatchments over 3 days in late summer.

Brad Case presenting maps at a community seminar before the site visits. Image credit: Sarah Wilcox.

Based on this information and the site visits, the pair have created treatments for 12 different types of habitat in the catchment. The treatments outline possible changes to the vegetation to take climate change and human preferences into account, protect the coast and freshwater and restore wetlands.

Adam says visiting all the different sites in Doubtless Bay was really important.

Adam Forbes discussing revegetation options on a site visit. Image credit: Sarah Wilcox.

“I couldn’t have done this without going to the sites and talking to everyone. It enabled me to find out what’s out there and what the issues are.”

He has mined a range of databases to create the treatments, drawing on list of plants for the area, planting densities, flammability ratings and listed options to tackle some of the catchment’s big issues.

“I’ve included a list of species that are relevant for restoration in these catchments for both the pioneer stage and the enrichment stage, once the canopy has been established. There are some neat regionally specific endemic species included, which provide options for people.”

Adam has helpfully provided information on timing, risks, management, maintenance and avenues of support.

Some examples of revegetation treatments

One suggested treatment is for sites in the lower rivers where īnanga spawn. The areas are currently open and weedy with willows and poplars that can keel over into the river during floods. Adam suggests getting light native forest established, including species that īnanga favour for spawning.

Alligator weed, crack willow and ginger are among the profilic weeds established at many sites in the lower rivers. Image credit: Sarah Wilcox.

Another treatment is for steep hill country with a tendency to slip. These areas are currently in pasture but establishing native vegetation would stabilise the hillsides and reduce erosion downstream.

Mapping reveals hotspots for priority work

Brad has created a series of catchment maps that show different information about the catchment such as susceptibility to erosion and flooding. Overlaying the maps highlights hotspots where multiple issues overlap.

Adam has included many of these areas in his 12 revegetation treatments.

Map of the Doubtless Bay catchment showing vulnerability to climate change effects from lowest (green) to highest (red).

Maddy continues, “When I saw the catchment mapping, I was really excited about the fact that it will help us prioritise restoration as a community at a landscape scale.”

“When you’re going out and doing your restoration work, the scale can be quite overwhelming. There’s so much to do! But the way Brad’s done the modelling makes it really obvious where we need to focus a bit more effort from a climate change perspective.”

Sharing the findings

The report is now available from our website: Doubtless Bay rivers webpage (or download Doubtless Bay revegetation options)

“Adam and Brad have shared the report and discussed their findings with the community already. We’re really interested in feedback though and will continue to work with the community to put the information into practice.”

About Ngā Awa river restoration programme

Taking a whole catchment approach, Ngā Awa is working in partnership with iwi, hapū and communities to restore the biodiversity of 12 rivers from mountains to sea. The three rivers in Doubtless Bay are one of the restoration catchments.

The programme’s goal is to see river ecosystems and species thriving from mountains to sea, which enrich people’s lives. This is achieved by collaborating with others, co-designing and co-leading with iwi, hapū and whānau and recognising climate change. Planning the restoration work is underpinned by sound technical and scientific advice.

From left, Adam Forbes, Brad Case and Tiger Tukariri (Matarahurahu, Kenana) checking possible sites to visit in the upper Oruaiti catchment. Image credit: Sarah Wilcox.

August 29, 2024

Conservation at kākāpō pace | Conservation blog

Source: Department of Conservation

Conservation for the critically endangered kākāpō dates back 130 years to 1894, when Richard Henry first moved kākāpō to (then) predator free Resolution Island. Today, DOC’s Kākāpō Recovery Programme combines the efforts of iwi, partners, scientists, rangers, volunteers, and donors to continue to protect and restore this taonga species.

Our purpose is to restore the mauri (life force) of the once plentiful kākāpō. So far, efforts have been rewarded and during nearly 30 years of the programme the population has increased from 51 to the 247 kākāpō alive today. It’s a long game with challenges that can be grouped into three main categories; habitat, genetics, and disease.

Kākāpō Advocacy Ranger, Andie Gentle, looks into the first challenge – habitat, and what it takes to find new sites for the growing kākāpō population.

Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island | Jake Osborne, DOC

Kākāpō pace

Aotearoa New Zealand’s much adored night parrots come with their own, unhurried pace. Longevity is on their side. The oldest kākāpō known today is at least 51 years old and it is estimated they could live between 60-90 years old. Many kākāpō reach their teens before they start successfully breeding and even then, they only breed once every 2-4 years.

Most of today’s 247 kākāpō live on two Southern predator-free islands which are reaching kākāpō-capacity. With each breeding season, there is an increasing need to find sites to support kākāpō populations into the future. To be suitable, sites need vast native forest, no predators (feral cats, rats and stoats) and the ability to stimulate successful breeding (more on that later).

Kākāpō-pace means each new site trial could take a decade or more to gather the information required. One long-term site trial that has recently been completed was on Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island.

Kākāpō Lisa on Hauturu in 2018 | Jake Osborne, DOC

Hauturu & kākāpō

There are only two pest-free islands in New Zealand large enough to sustain a population of kākāpō that are certainly beyond the swimming distance of rats and stoats. One of them, Whenua Hou/Codfish Island, is a successful breeding home to a population of nearly 100 kākāpō. The other is Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island.

Hauturu is a sanctuary 80km north-east of Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland. It was New Zealand’s first nature reserve and is now a refuge for hundreds of rare and endangered plants, birds, and animals.

Te Hauturu-o-Toi/Little Barrier Island | Jake Osborne, DOC

Kākāpō were first translocated to Hauturu in 1982. At the time, there were just 29 known kākāpō and it had become clear that they were being predated by cats on Rakiura/Stewart Island. With the presence of kiore (the Pacific rat) but no feral cats, Hauturu was identified as a safer haven. By the end of 1982, 21 kākāpō had been relocated there. Intensive management and supplementary feeding programmes began seven years later after no breeding had occurred on the island.

Breeding triggers

The only known trigger to stimulate kākāpō breeding today is the mast of the rimu tree. This happens once every 2-4 years on the Southern islands. We can predict a mast in advance by comparing seasonal temperatures year-on-year and counting fruit tips.

To best support the critically endangered kākāpō we supplementary feed them ahead of a breeding season to help them reach top breeding condition. Additional feeding for chick rearing is also required if the mast was big enough to stimulate breeding but didn’t result in enough fruit to sustain chick rearing (which may occur after storms or extreme weather events or if the fruit doesn’t ripen).

Despite the absence of rimu on Hauturu, several breeding attempts were made there in the 1990’s and two chicks were raised with supplementary feeding support. It was the kauri tree that was thought to be the most likely trigger to stimulate kākāpō breeding on the island. Regardless, this was proof that, with support, kākāpō could thrive on Hauturu.

There was just one big problem. The island’s terrain is much more extreme than the Southern islands, making this level of hands-on management logistically challenging.

The rugged terrain of Hauturu, being navigated by DOC rangers and Auckland Zoo team members as they carry out work with kākāpō on the island | DOC.

By 1999 more kākāpō had been discovered on Rakiura and the total population numbered 63. All kākāpō were returned South to help diversify the precious breeding populations that were now active on Whenua Hou and Maud Island. Following the removal of kākāpō, kiore were eradicated from Hauturu and the sanctuary gained pest-free status in 2004.

The trial

With supplementary feeding successful but not feasible on Hauturu, the next step was to learn if kākāpō could breed and raise chicks there without support. In 2012, eight of the total 125 kākāpō at the time were carefully selected by their genetic profiles and breeding history to help us find out. Over the coming years another nine joined the trial.

Seven of this cohort had been on Hauturu before. Notably, all seven returned to their old home ranges on the island within a couple of weeks of arriving back. Two of the returning birds were super-breeders Blades and Flossie, who had each produced the most offspring by a male and female respectively at the time.

Kākāpō Rangers Petrus and Bryony completing a transmitter change and health check on 27-year-old Tiwai on Hauturu, 2022 | DOC

What did we learn?

Unfortunately, the next decade saw limited breeding success on the island. In 2014 Heather was the only female to nest. She only hatched one of three fertile eggs herself and that chick needed support as, by ten days old, it was starving. It was the same poor result in 2016 when Heather and Lisa nested and the only chick to hatch also required support due to lack of food. Lisa nested again in 2021, but her two eggs were infertile.

During the trial period of 12 years, the kauri tree did not produce a heavy crop of seeds as it had in the past. Along with the poor nesting outcomes, this confirmed that while Hauturu is safe for kākāpō, they are unlikely to be productive on the island without supplementary feeding.

Heather’s 2014 chick Mahli pictured while receiving care at Auckland Zoo vet hospital | DOC

Wrapping up the trial

In 2023 it was decided that the kākāpō on Hauturu would be more valuable back on the Southern breeding islands, and the plan is for all to be returned by the end of this year.

It may not be the last time kākāpō live amongst the Hauturu forest, so remnant of primeval New Zealand. Given the long lifespan of kākāpō and the size and pest-free status of Hauturu, the island could play a role in the future security of the population until other safe breeding sites become available.

For now, the island has helped provide valuable data and insights to help manage kākāpō conservation for decades to come.

Left: DOC Ranger Richard Walle. Middle: Jasmine from Auckland Zoo carrying kākāpō before the first transfer off Hauturu, 2023. Right: DOC Ranger Dani completing a transmitter change and health check on Flossie in 2023. All photos by DOC.

It takes a village

DOC’s Kākāpō Recovery team worked closely with iwi (tribe) representatives from Ngāi Tahu and the Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust to undertake the trial and the required transfers of the manu between rohe.

Kākāpō are a taonga species to Ngāi Tahu, the principal Māori iwi of southern New Zealand. It is of great significance to iwi when the care and protection of a taonga is transferred. During the Hauturu trial local mana whenua Ngāti Manuhiri took on kaitiaki responsibilities of the manu through the tikanga of whāngai (the concept of fostering).

This trial was undertaken in association with Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund with practical assistance from Auckland Zoo staff and its vet hospital, the New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine. It was also supported by Kākāpō Recovery Programme’s National Partner Meridian Energy and DOC’s National Partner Air New Zealand.

Ngāti Manuhiri and Ngāi Tahu representatives with DOC team members during (left) the first transfer from Hauturu to Fiordland in July 2023, and (right) the second transfer in August 2024. The final cohort of remaining monitored kākāpō on Hauturu will return later this year | DOC.

Moving forward to step back

Two new site trials are underway at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari in Waikato and Coal Island/Te Puka-Hereka in Fiordland, and there are more to come. Like at Hauturu, it will be years before results are known, but it is hoped that more breeding triggers could be discovered along the way.

The last three breeding seasons have been bumper on the Southern islands. The next breeding season is predicted to be 2026 and with more than 80 breeding-aged females, it could be the biggest yet.

Rakiura will be a game changer for kākāpō when it becomes predator free. From there, the goal will be to one day return kākāpō to all their natural ranges throughout New Zealand. Of course, these visions will rely on the success of the country’s predator free movements.

We’ve come a long way since 1894; just imagine Aotearoa after another 130 years of care and protection. Will kākāpō be roaming safe and free among our great-grandchildren?

Anything is possible, even when each day goes at kākāpō-pace.

Kākāpō Lisa on Hauturu in 2020 | Jake Osborne, DOC

Get involved

Together with our Treaty Partner Ngāi Tahu and National Partner Meridian Energy we are grateful for the ongoing commitment from our supporters. There are lots of ways you can help ensure a brighter future for kākāpō.

Educate:

Engage:

Support:

May 16, 2024

Celebrating 20 years of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest island eradication of predators – Part 2 | Conservation blog

Source: Department of Conservation

What the next 20 years of predator free islands hold.

In this two-part series, we’re celebrating 20 years of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest predator free project to-date. Looking to the future, we explore what the next 20 years of restoring New Zealand’s wild and precious islands may hold. Learn how artificial intelligence, the history of phones, and feral pigs all connect.

Written by Janel Hull.

20 years ago, DOC declared the seemingly impossible operation to make Campbell Island predator free a resounding success.

The techniques that DOC staff on Campbell Island/Motu Ihupuku pioneered helped propel the world into exponentially scaling up eradications of bigger and bigger islands. DOC’s Predator Free 2050 Senior Manager, Brent Beaven, shares how Campbell Island changed the game. “Campbell Island helped unlock a step change in what we thought was possible.”

DOC Predator Free 2050 Senior Manager, Brent Beaven, translocating a rare native tīeke (South Island saddleback) | Photo: Peta Carey

Now, there have been over 1,000 island eradications in the world. And New Zealand is responsible for the lion’s share.

Thanks to these predator free breakthroughs, islands across the world are covered in screeching penguins, soaring albatross, and chubby sea lions. We were able to save precious native plants and animals from the brink of extinction.

King penguin colony on predator free Macquarie Island | Photo: Janel Hull

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Sea lion pups on predator free Enderby Island | Photo: Jack Mace

But momentum in creating larger predator free islands has unfortunately waned. Brent notes, “The island eradication tools and techniques we use now have allowed us to achieve some incredible things. But, to scale up to larger and more island eradications, we need innovation.”

Technology and techniques haven’t changed much since the 2001 Campbell Island operation. Island eradications in 2023 use similar GPS, helicopters, and techniques. Which is surprising considering that in 2001 the first ipod was released, we had just survived Y2K, and fax machines and landlines reigned supreme. These predator eradication techniques are tried and true and get the job done. But the tools aren’t effective and efficient for eradicating predators from very large islands or the mainland of Aotearoa.

To tackle restoring larger islands and the mainland, we need new tools, techniques, and technology. We need investment to shift from reliable landlines to transformative smart phones.

Predator Free 2050 has focused government investment into this innovation. Since the goal was announced in 2016, programmes like DOC’s ‘Tools to Market‘ and Predator Free 2050 Ltd.’s ‘Products to Projects’ have invested in possible game changers like biodegradable aerial rat traps, AI cameras and image recognition, smart detection devices, pest-specific toxins, and research to map predator genomes to understand their unique weaknesses and biology. In just the first five years of Predator Free 2050, government has invested $43 million into tools, research, and software for predator eradication.

Biodegradable aerial rat traps | Photo: Goodnature

Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP) innovation and operations team talk through a prototype | Photo: Robyn Janes

It’s unlikely research will uncover just one “silver bullet” for eradicating introduced predators. But with the help of investment and new tools and technology, Aotearoa could accelerate efforts to restoring precious islands and our mainland.

Predator Free 2050 has also helped launch DOC’s National Eradication Team (NET). This team is working on a strategy for eradicating predators from all of New Zealand’s uninhabited off-shore islands. They’re leaders in predator eradication – spearheading strategy, testing new techniques, and advising on island eradication projects both in Aotearoa and around the world.

Some members of the National Eradication Team | Photo: Finlay Cox

DOC’s eradication experts have already achieved great things for people and wildlife. In 2018, a DOC team led the charge to successfully eradicate mice from Antipodes island, protecting wildlife like wandering albatross.

They’re also sharing their knowledge and expertise abroad. In 2023, they led a rat eradication on Palmerston Atoll in the Cook Islands with our neighbours in the Pacific who were struggling with rats destroying food and threatening their community’s health.

National Eradication Team member supporting Palmerston Atoll community members with trail cameras and rat surveys | Photo: Em Oyston

With the leadership of DOC and investment in tools and techniques, Aotearoa is taking strides to accelerate island conservation.

And these experts have their eyes set on the next big island restoration – Maukahuka Auckland Island.

Maukahuka/Auckland Island is a stronghold of remarkable plants and animals. As a subantarctic nature reserve and World Heritage site, it is home to some of the world’s rarest animals like the Gibson’s albatross, southern right-whales, New Zealand sea lions and hoiho (yellow-eyed penguin).

The island supports over 500 native plants and animals with more than 100 found nowhere else in the world. The wild landscape has blushing rātā forests and windswept clusters of bright megaherbs. Maukahuka is of great cultural and spiritual significance to Ngāi Tahu, with a long history of Polynesian expeditions to the islands to gather food and settle.

Megaherb carpets on neighbouring predator free Enderby Island | Photo: James Ware

Hoiho/yellow-eyed penguins | Photo: Rachael Sagar

Sadly, over the last 200 years, populations of feral pigs, feral cats, and mice have inflicted severe harm. Now, of the 39 native bird species that were once on the island, 28 are either gone or remain in very small numbers. Large swaths of rātā forests have disturbed soils and stunted understories. Megaherbs are dwindling. Without action, plants and animals will continue to disappear.

Feral pigs in a white-capped albatross colony on Auckland Island | Photo: Paul Sagar

At about four times the size of Campbell Island, achieving a predator free Auckland Island would be a massive undertaking. It would be New Zealand’s largest predator free island and the final step to finally restore all of New Zealand’s subantarctic islands.

In 2021, the National Eradication Team spent three years investigating whether it was possible to eradicate pigs, mice and feral cats from Auckland Island. They concluded that making Auckland Island predator free would be achievable, worthwhile, and sustainable in the long run.

But first, the project would need about $9.75 million per year over 8 years to tackle the challenge. Innovation in image processing and targeted baits has steadily reduced the time and cost. But it would still require unprecedented support and investment.

Looking to the future, New Zealand could make even bigger strides in conservation on islands like Auckland Island. Brent reflects, “All of our progress on previous islands helped build the confidence to launch Predator Free 2050. We’re now seriously eyeing up another step change in possibility with Maukahuka Auckland Island.”

Predator Free 2050 is helping tackle the challenge of innovating new tools and technology, spearheading a strategy for restoring all islands, and growing new levels of community support and investment for eradicating pests.

The next 20 years could be promising for predator free islands. But it’ll be a challenge. Brent notes, “We’ll need to innovate, test our limits and be prepared to take a bit of risk as we step into the unknown.”

Read Part 1 of the blog series here.

May 9, 2024

Celebrating 20 years of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest island eradication of predators – Part 1 | Conservation blog

Source: Department of Conservation

We’re celebrating 20 years of Aotearoa New Zealand’s largest predator free project to-date. Hear from a former DOC ranger who experienced the world first rat eradication as he shares the story of mysterious footprints, an explosion of wētā, and why making subantarctic islands predator-free is so important.

Written by Janel Hull.

Campbell Island, Motu Ihupuku is a thriving wildlife stronghold and a testament to Aotearoa New Zealand’s world-leadership in conservation. But it’s tucked away in a surprising location, 700 kilometres south of Aotearoa New Zealand’s South Island in the subantarctic islands.

This island is a World Heritage Site and nature reserve that is renowned for the overwhelming volume of rare plants and animals it supports. The island is home to six species of albatross – including one that lives nowhere else in the world.

The northern cliffs are blanketed in densely packed nests of Campbell Island albatross and thick with weaving swarms of seabirds. It’s a stunning sight to see… just try not to imagine the strong smell.

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Campbell Island albatross breeding colony | Photo: Tui De Roy

A southern royal albatross on its nest | Photo: Peter J Moore

Fields of lilac and sunshine megaherbs (giant wildflowers) stretch in an endless carpet across the upper parts of the island, reaching up to the knees and hips of visitors. The fields are interrupted with dots of white – nests of southern royal albatross/toroa – and brown – lounging New Zealand sea lions/pakake. Sometimes, the sea lions let off an unsettling nearby roar from somewhere in the tall grass.

Megaherb field of Campbell Island daisy (Pheurophyllum speciosum) | Photo: Stephen Jaquiery

But 20 years ago, Campbell Island was a completely different story. For nearly 200 years, introduced rats had run rampant on the island. These predators decimated megaherbs, birds, and nests in their wake. Campbell Island had achieved another world first for wildlife volume. But this time, the island had the highest density of Norway rats in the world.

This all changed in 2001 when DOC began a world-first operation to eradicate rats from the 11,300-hectare Campbell Island. Former DOC Ranger Lindsay Wilson recalls “when we were doing Campbell, there was a huge amount of scepticism that it would work. It was the largest rat eradication in the world.”

Former DOC ranger Lindsay Wilson on Campbell Island | Photo: Supplied

The team boldly aimed to eradicate rats from an island about six times bigger than any island attempted before. This was attempting “the impossible”.

DOC sent a team of 19 including eradication experts, biologists, helicopter pilots, a medic, and a cook to live on the island for 3 months.

Lindsay was a key part of the team. To save native species from extinction, they were tasked with meticulously distributing rat toxin across every corner of the island. They used helicopters and recently developed GPS technology to map the precise spread of bait.

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The rat eradication team review helicopter maps of the island back at their hut | Photo: Pete Tyree

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Map showing areas allocated for helicopter flight paths | Photo: Pete Tyree

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Team member looking at helicopter bait flight paths | Photo: Pete Tyree

A typical day for Lindsay involved being flown out to a helicopter loading site at sunrise, filling buckets with toxin, and reloading until sunset. (Although sometimes a typical day involved waiting for the wind to stop blowing). In the evenings, the crew would head back to their hut and pour over GPS tracks to determine paths for the next day. Their long hours were driven by a single purpose – bring thriving wildlife back to the island.

All work was planned around the wet, windy, and unpredictable weather of the subantarctic islands. Operations require fine and calm weather for flying and to ensure bait is in tip top shape. A typical day was drizzly, blustering with 30-40 knot winds, and was about 5 degrees Celsius with heavy grey clouds. In fact, rain falls on Campbell Island an average of 325 days per year!

Lindsay chuckles, “the weather was so bad, it was kind of cool. You know? I remember the first time after 10 days the sun came out. Suddenly it’s like everything went from black and white to colour.”

With a combination of surprisingly dry weather and the team’s hard work, the operation finished in just 6 weeks.

Bait loading during the Campbell Island eradication | Photo: Pete Tyree

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The base that housed DOC’s rat eradication team | Photo: DOC

Two years later, Lindsay and the team returned to the island to monitor whether the world-first eradication was successful. The team landed with bated breath.

“Right after we landed on the first night, we went outside and shone the torch around and here’s all these wētā under the bushes that we hadn’t seen previously. It was really pronounced – there were wētā everywhere.”

For two months, the team hiked up and down the steep island checking lines of traps to look for signs of any remaining rats. Instead, they found recovering megaherbs, an explosion of the songbird pipits, and a mysterious footprint.

“The icing on the cake was one of the team found small footprints in the mud at Six Foot Lake.” They thought it could be the endemic subantarctic snipe, previously wiped out from the island.

“We could hardly believe it really. They didn’t have a camera with them, and we didn’t have cell phones in those days. They did a very careful sketch and got measurements of the footprints.” Once they returned to the hut, they radioed the snipe expert and confirmed their finding.

Drawing of subantarctic snipe footprints by bird expert Colin Miskelly

A subantarctic snipe chick found by researchers on Campbell Island in 2004 | Photo: Colin Miskelly

The snipe were back home, at last. These hearty birds had managed to reintroduce themselves from a tiny rock stack near the island.

Lindsay remembers that the team had dreamed of one-day returning snipe to Campbell Island. “We thought we’d have to go and physically capture snipe, captive rear them, and maybe in 10-20 years we could reintroduce them. But instead, within two years, they were back.”

An adult subantarctic snipe on Campbell Island | Photo: Brent Beaven

Campbell Island was officially declared free of rats in May 2003, achieving the world’s largest rat eradication at the time and our country’s largest island eradication to date.

But New Zealand’s legacy of successful eradications doesn’t end there. From the 1980s to the 2010s, we were able to increase the size of island eradications. They went from 200 hectares, to 10,000 hectares, to over 100,000 hectares. “In just 30 years, the rate of possibility hugely increased”.

The techniques that DOC staff on Campbell Island pioneered helped propel the world into exponentially scaling up island eradications of bigger and bigger islands. Now, there have been over 110+ successful island eradications in New Zealand and around 1,000 successful eradications in the world. And New Zealand is responsible for the lion’s share.

Islands across the world are covered in screeching penguins, soaring albatross, and chubby sea lions thanks to predator free action.

Sea lion pups on predator free Enderby Island | Photo: Jack Mace

Breeding colony of royal penguins on predator free Macquarie Island | Photo: Creative Commons

Read part two to learn what’s to come for the next 20 years of island restoration. We explore futuristic technology, how New Zealand takes Predator Free 2050 knowledge around the world, and what it’ll take to make New Zealand’s final subantarctic island predator free.

April 23, 2024

Innovative electric barrier protects mudfish habitat | Conservation blog

Source: Department of Conservation

Written by Environment Canterbury.

About 200 trout have been relocated within Hororata’s Bealey Stream as part of a wider project to protect the ‘Nationally Critical’ Canterbury Mudfish/kōwaro.

The Brown Trout were situated upstream of an underwater electric barrier, which is providing a safe haven for kōwaro in a pocket of habitat on Haldon Pastures Farm.

The solar-powered ‘fish fence’ was activated in 2021 and is thought to be the first of its type in the Southern Hemisphere. It consists of three underwater iron structures, which send out electric pulses to discourage trout from moving upstream – where they would otherwise predate on the mudfish. This has increased the upstream habitat size for this taonga species from about 800 metres, to 8,000 metres.

The project is a joint effort between Department of Conservation (DOC), Environment Canterbury, Fish and Game New Zealand, Fonterra and landowner John Grigg.

The mudfish team electric fishing for trout | Photo: Environment Canterbury

The agencies recently pitched in to relocate the residual trout population to the downstream side of the fence, to keep them away from the kōwaro.

An electric fishing method was used to capture the fish, which were then put into buckets, measured, and safely relocated. More than 70 trout were caught and transferred over a five-day period in early March, and since then, about 130 more have been moved.

Environment Canterbury Pou Matai Ko (Cultural Land Management Advisor), Steve Carrick, said this year’s low water levels were advantageous for electric fishing, as it improves access.

“This is the second year that we’ve got together for a week and come out and blitzed it. But this time, we were able to get to areas that we wouldn’t usually be able to.”

A brown trout caught by electric fishing | Photo: Environment Canterbury

The team measuring the trout | Photo: Environment Canterbury

He said the joint agency approach is key to the success of not just the trout transfer exercise, but the overall barrier project.

“It’s great to have those other agencies working with us, because their skillsets and knowledge bases, particularly from the DOC team – for the history of this place, gives us that long-term view.

“Of course, none of this work would be possible without the landowner’s cooperation. John’s willingness to give us access to the property and his support of these preservation initiatives, is invaluable.”

Steve and the team electric fishing for trout | Photo: Environment Canterbury

John is praising the ‘outside the box’ approach to protecting the kōwaro.

“It’s great to be involved in something so innovative, and totally different. Often you do have to think outside the square to protect nature.”

DOC biodiversity supervisor, Craig Alexander, said mudfish numbers have been declining over the years, and the barrier is one way of trying to secure populations into the future.

“The next round of population monitoring is due to be carried out in winter, so it will be interesting to see whether there’s any evidence yet of the barrier’s success.”

The joint team is also working with the barrier’s North American manufacture, Smith Root, to explore other ways of proving its functionality, without stressing the fish samples.

Check out the Environment Canterbury team as they relocate some of the trout.
Video: Environment Canterbury

December 31, 2023

Conservation countdown — our top stories of 2023 | Conservation blog

Source: Department of Conservation

We take a look back and count down some of the biggest conservation stories from 2023…

10. Bat counting in Pureora

The pekapeka/short-tailed bat monitoring in Pureora Forest wrapped up for the 2023 season with 219 bats tagged over three nights, surpassing our target of 200, and catching a good mix of juveniles and adults, males and females.

Learn more: www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2023-media-releases/bat-monitoring-a-success-in-pureora-forest

9. Kiwi in a hen house

In December we were notified of a surprise hen house break in up North. Waipapa local, Jane, was checking on her chickens when she noticed the intruder, a North Island brown kiwi, taking a nap next to one of her chooks.

According to Jane, the chickens were surprisingly chill about their visitor and seemed to be open to the new company.

Unique kiwi sightings like these are becoming more and more common in the Far North, all thanks to large community groups undertaking intensive predator control and reviving kiwi population numbers.

You can help kiwi: www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/kiwi/you-can-help

8. Curled up with a good seal

It’s not every day you come home to find a seal curled up on your front porch, but during seal silly season you never know where these adventurous animals might pop up!

This little pup was found taking a nap on the porch of a Wellington family’s home in September. It had been on a bit of a mission, climbing up the seawall stairs, crossing a road, hiking up a footpath, a driveway, and finally another set of stairs, before reaching its nap spot. Our Kapiti-Wellington standby officer was called out to relocate the young kekeno, and took it further around the coast to a safe place away from dogs and traffic.

What to do if you find a seal: www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/marine-mammals/seals/nz-fur-seal/what-to-do

7. Silver for Sounds of Science

Have you listened to any of the *award-winning* podcast episodes we’ve made this year?

Our Sounds of Science podcast offers a behind-scenes-look at how we care for NZ’s native species and natural environment. We won a silver in Climate section at the New Zealand Podcast awards! Thanks to the NZ Podcast Awards! We don’t envy the tough job your judges had.

Check out our podcast: www.doc.govt.nz/news/podcast

6. Cyclone clean up

Extreme weather events earlier this year caused widespread damage to conservation areas, tracks, campgrounds and huts, heritage sites and native species and habitats. Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, and Hawke’s Bay were most severely affected.

By July staff had checked, cleaned-up and reopened about 80% of roughly 500 visitor sites closed for safety due to the extreme weather.

Find out more: www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2023-media-releases/visitor-sites-reopen-after-cyclone-recovery-work

5. Kākāpō return to the mainland

For the first time in nearly four decades, kākāpō returned to living on mainland New Zealand.

In partnership with Ngāi Tahu male kākāpō were moved from Whenua Hou/Codfish Island near Rakiura/Stewart Island to Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari.

4. National Wild Goat Hunting Competition

More than 10,000 wild goats were shot for the National Wild Goat Hunting competition. The competition encouraged hunters to target wild goats and raised awareness of the damage they cause to New Zealand’s precious native ecosystems and farmlands.

The competition was a joint endeavour by the DOC and the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association to help raise awareness of the damage wild goats can do.

Find out more: www.doc.govt.nz/news/events/national-events/national-wild-goat-hunting-competition

3. Geckos return to the wild

In November protected native geckos were returned to the wild after years in illegal captivity.

Charges were brought under the Wildlife Act relating to the unauthorised holding of 63 geckos and skinks – from 11 different species. The man responsible was fined $7000 and the animals were released in to the wild or rehomed with authorised keepers, as they couldn’t be released to the wild after being held in captivity for a long time.

2. Air New Zealand partnership extended

DOC and Air New Zealand renewed their partnership to work together for conservation, announcing a further five-year commitment and a doubling of direct investment annually.

Building on more than a decade of collaboration, the renewal will see Air New Zealand directly invest more than $5 million in DOC biodiversity programmes over the next five years including support for the Conservation Dogs programme.

1. Fiordland Kiwi Diaries

Down in the remote wilderness of Fiordland, kiwi are in trouble. Over three years, DOC rangers monitored 34 chicks in the rugged Shy Lake area. Not a single one survived. Most were killed by stoats.

In 2020, we aerially applied 1080 bait in the area for the first time to knock back introduced predators and buy time for kiwi to grow.

Our Fiordland Kiwi Diaries exclusive miniseries follows the work of our dedicated rangers to save the Fiordland tokoeka.

Watch Fiordland Kiwi Diaries: www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-animals/birds/birds-a-z/kiwi/fiordland-kiwi-diaries

We’re hoping for a bigger and brighter year for conservation and recreation in 2024!

10. Rosvall Sawmill kiwi rescue

9. Hump Ridge Track – our newest Great Walk

8. Kākā squatters in Aro Valley

7. Manganui Gorge Bridge opens

6. Campbell Island celebrates 20 years predator-free

5. Cathedral Cove reopens

4. Rarest whale discoveries

3. Adélie penguin visitor

2. Best season for Fiordland tokoeka kiwi

1. Blue whale rescue on Kawau Island

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Kākāpō pace

Hauturu & kākāpō

Breeding triggers

The trial

What did we learn?

Wrapping up the trial

It takes a village

Moving forward to step back

Get involved

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What the next 20 years of predator free islands hold.

10. Bat counting in Pureora

9. Kiwi in a hen house

8. Curled up with a good seal

7. Silver for Sounds of Science

6. Cyclone clean up

5. Kākāpō return to the mainland

4. National Wild Goat Hunting Competition

3. Geckos return to the wild

2. Air New Zealand partnership extended

1. Fiordland Kiwi Diaries