Forest & Bird Magazine 342 Nov 2011

ISSUE 342 • NOVEMBER 2011 www.forestandbird.org.nz

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ISSUE 342

• November 2011

Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Inc. General Manager: Mike Britton Advocacy Manager: Kevin Hackwell Services Manager: Julie Watson North Island Conservation Manager: Mark Bellingham South Island Conservation Manager: Chris Todd Communications Manager: Marina Skinner Central Office: Level 1, 90 Ghuznee St, Wellington.

PO Box 631, Wellington 6140.

Tel: (04) 385-7374, Fax: (04) 385-7373 Email: office@forestandbird.org.nz Web: www.forestandbird.org.nz Auckland Office: 34A Charlotte Street, Eden Terrace, Auckland, PO Box 108 055, Symonds St, Auckland 1150.

Tel: (09) 302 0203, Fax: (09) 303 4548 Email: n.beveridge@forestandbird.org.nz Christchurch Office: Email: c.todd@forestandbird.org.nz Forest & Bird is a registered charitable entity under the Charities Act 2005.

Registration No. CC26943.

Tiaki Taiao www.forestandbird.org.nz

Contents 2 Editorial 5 Soapbox

42

Kermadec frontierland

Vote for nature

46

In the field

6 Letters 9 Conservation news

Visiting the rellies

48

A rock and a hard place

52

Rangatahi

55

Hauraki haven

58

Going Places

60

Community conservation

62

Book reviews

67

Parting shot

68

Year index

The election, marine reserves, Kaiköura protection, web facelift, BirdLife grants, Bird Calls book draw, prion wreck, Hauraki takahë, dogs and kiwi, Pacific news, Weed Control book draw

22

Galapagos Islands

Sad state of Waituna lagoon

Six reasons to save Denniston

Denniston Plateau’s unique plants and animals

Nature of tomorrow

32

Backyard conservation

35

Our people

Chattering classes

DEPUTY EDITOR: David Brooks

T (04) 801-2763 E d.brooks@forestandbird.org.nz

Lessons from our children

18 Loss of a lagoon

Rod Oram on a sustainable economy

PO Box 631, Wellington.

T (04) 801-2761 F (04) 385-7373 E m.skinner@forestandbird.org.nz

A rare leech and skink off Fiordland’s coast

A lifesaver for seabirds

28

EDITOR: Marina Skinner

Scientific and artistic discoveries

Conservation Ambassador Craig Potton, Tim Galloway, Shirley Bathgate-Hunt, Nicola Vallance, Claire Browning, Katrina Subedar, Anne Fenn, Liz Tanner, Al Fleming, Karen Baird

Living legends, climate change festival, marching against mines, student advocate, Wild Coasts DVD draw

New Zealand’s Native Trees, The Weed Control Handbook, Making our Place, Volcanoes of Auckland, Whale Watching in Australian and New Zealand Waters, New Zealand Bird Calls

Silvereyes by Linda Laing

41 Amazing facts about…

Snow tussocks

ART DIRECTOR /DESIGNER:

Rob Di Leva, Dileva Design E rob@dileva.co.nz PREPRESS/PRINTING:

Printlink

COVER SHOT The West Coast green gecko (Naultinus tuberculatus) is one of the special animals trying to keep a low profile on the Denniston Plateau. Forest & Bird is campaigning to save the geckos and other special plants and animals from plans by Australian mining company Bathurst Resources to dig an opencast coal mine on the plateau. Photo: Rod Morris

ADVERTISING:

Vanessa Clegg T 0275 420 337 E vanclegg@xtra.co.nz Karen Condon T 0275 420 338 E mack.cons@xtra.co.nz Membership & Circulation T 0800 200 064 F (04) 385 7373 E membership@forestandbird.org.nz

Keep up with nature Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/ForestandBird Watch us on YouTube www.youtube.com/forestandbird Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/Forest_and_Bird

Forest & Bird

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editorial

Dead rats

(and how to avoid swallowing them) I love my DOC 200. The trap is easy to bait, kills quickly and, though it needs a bit of strength (and courage on the first try), it’s easy to set.

I recently caught two rats in two days using cheese bait smeared with peanut butter.

Catching Rattus rattus got me thinking about the political practice of ‘swallowing dead rats’.

In political parlance “swallowing a dead rat” is when a party, for electoral reasons, has to accept a policy it wouldn’t normally support, for example, Jim Bolger backing Labour’s anti-nuclear policy in the 1990s. Right now there’s pressure on Forest & Bird to behave like a political party, and swallow some unpalatable policies.

The biggest rodent we’re being asked to guzzle is the argument that for economic reasons there’s no more money for conservation, and cuts to DOC and environmental programmes are inevitable.

We don’t buy it. The level of funding for conservation is a matter of government choice. At the beginning of this term the government chose to cut taxes by several billion dollars annually ahead of retaining the revenue to fund public services like conservation.

The government has also chosen to boost funding for mineral exploration and new water storage schemes.

The second rat is the argument that we need to balance environmental goals with economic growth. This is a big fat rat, with glossy fur and shiny teeth.

Again, we don’t buy it. Forest & Bird believes that the value of the natural environment goes beyond economic worth; there are inherent values worth protecting for their own sake.

Secondly, we don’t believe a “balance” is being struck. Policy choices, such as weakening the Emissions Trading Scheme and not acting decisively on water pollution issues, point to our national priorities being out of balance.

To help you avoid ingesting a rat, we’ve asked political parties to outline their conservation policies for this election. They’re summarised on our website – www.forestandbird.org.nz – and I invite you to study the responses and make up your own mind about what you’re prepared to digest. Just remember, the trouble with dead rats (and bad policy) is that if you swallow one, there’s usually another waiting in the trap the next morning.

Ngä mihi nui

Vote for nature With this magazine you’ll find an election poster that might prompt a smile. The humour overlays a serious message urging voters to consider the importance of nature when voting on November 26. Please spread the message and put your poster to work.

See www.forestandbird. org.nz for more details.

Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Inc. (Founded 1923) Registered Office at Level One, 90 Ghuznee Street, Wellington.

PATRON: His Excellency

Lieutenant General the Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, GovernorGeneral of New Zealand NATIONAL PRESIDENT:

Andrew Cutler DEPUTY PRESIDENT:

Mark Hanger IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT:

Barry Wards NATIONAL TREASURER:

Graham Bellamy CONSERVATION AMBASSADORS:

Andrew Cutler Forest & Bird President

Sir Alan Mark, Gerry McSweeney, Craig Potton EXECUTIVE COUNCILLORS:

Brent Barrett, Lindsey Britton, Craig Potton, Ines Stager, John Wenham DISTINGUISHED LIFE MEMBERS:

Bill Ballantine, Stan Butcher, Ken Catt, Audrey Eagle, Alan Edmonds, Gordon Ell, Stewart Gray, Philip Hart, Joan Leckie, Hon. Sandra Lee-Vercoe, Peter Maddison, Sir Alan Mark, Gerry McSweeney, Margaret Peace, Eugenie Sage, Guy Salmon, Lesley Shand, Gordon Stephenson, David Underwood

Forest & Bird is published quarterly by the Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Inc. Forest & Bird is a member of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) and is the New Zealand partner of BirdLife International. • Opinions expressed by contributors in the magazine are not necessarily those of Forest & Bird. • Forest & Bird is printed on chlorine-free paper made from wood fibre sourced from sustainably managed forests. • The magazine is bulk mailed in biodegradable cellulose film, which is made from wood pulp sourced from managed plantations. • Registered at PO Headquarters, Wellington, as a magazine. ISSN 0015-7384. Copyright. All rights reserved.

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soapbox

Looking forward to a vote for nature Claire Browning eyes Forest & Bird’s election campaign and a conser-vision for the coming years.

A

t this month’s general election, we have decisions to make – environmental decisions and about what kind of long-term investment New Zealand will buy into. Will it be a fossil-fuelled energy and economic growth strategy, or a sustainable eco-nomic (that’s ecological economic) vision for New Zealand?

In this year’s conservation plan, Forest & Bird promised to run a proactive election campaign about protecting the environment and the sustainable use of resources. Our November Vote for Nature campaign will deliver on that promise and be the first step on a longer road towards a new conser-vision.

We asked parliamentary parties contesting the 2011 election to tell us about their policies for protecting and preserving our natural assets. This sets out for voters an agenda of environmental issues, called Forest & Bird’s commitment to nature, on which they may vote, if they choose.

It aims to promote four of our big campaigns: Freshwater for Life, saving the Mackenzie Country, the Denniston Plateau (on which coal mining decisions are being made now), and the Mökihinui (on which Forest & Bird will spend four months and much money in court next year, defending this wild river from hydro damming).

We asked parties to commit to: n Protecting the Denniston Plateau on the West Coast from mining by including it in Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act. n Protecting the Mökihinui River catchment from damming by extending the boundaries of Kahurangi National Park to include it. n Preventing any further degradation of our rivers and lakes, and restoring their quality by reducing nutrient pollution and managing water take, particularly for commercial use. n Establishing a Mackenzie Basin dryland park and halting irrigation expansion in the area to keep the Mackenzie brown.

Photo: Steve Cooper

VOTE FOR NATURE For complete transparency

Vote for Nature when you vote votefornature.org.nz Authorised by Mike Britton, Forest & Bird, Level 1, 90 Ghuznee St, Wellington

I STAND FOR NATURE I have done for the last 1000 years

Vote for Nature when you vote votefornature.org.nz Authorised by Mike Britton, Forest & Bird, Level 1, 90 Ghuznee St, Wellington

In our under-protected marine environment, we want to see better regulation of offshore activity, such as oil prospecting and drilling. This currently does not exist beyond 12 nautical miles, and should be no less robust than the Resource Management Act. We are asking for one-third of our oceans to be protected in marine reserves, including a Kermadecs ocean sanctuary. Measures to protect biodiversity on land would include wildlife legislation reform to protect threatened species and promote their recovery; and on public conservation lands, resourcing more pest control and the right kinds of pest control.

To give effect to public conservation values, we asked parties if they would: n Recognise the size and importance of the Department of Conservation’s role by reversing staff and funding cuts, and properly funding the department. n Review the status of public conservation land in the stewardship category (such as Denniston and the Mökihinui) so land with high conservation values has the right level of protection. n Uphold existing laws in decision-making about management of public conservation lands, such as section 6(e) of the Conservation Act, which requires priority to be given to conservation (while fostering recreational activity and allowing tourism, provided they are not inconsistent with conservation), and makes no reference to other business uses.

We asked parties to tell us their climate change and sustainability policies, for greenhouse gas emissions cuts, stopping all new coal and lignite mines, revising the fossil fuel-focused New Zealand Energy Strategy, and transitioning from a growth-based to a green economy.

We hope Kiwis will be kiwisavers, and vote for nature when they vote – that they will consider these issues, and the nature-friendliness of each party’s answers, which are on our website at www.votefornature.org.nz So far, this is a pretty standard election campaign. It sets out what needs to be done today. Over the next three years, Forest & Bird will be looking towards a longer-term larger-scale conser-vision for New Zealand. We’ll be asking: What sort of legislation do we need to properly protect the environment and manage development pressures?

How should we structure and support policy-making and conservation efforts? How do we strike a balance between development and conservation, agriculture and sustainability, protected areas and saving nature in the parts of the country where we live?

We want to be proactive about promoting a vision, instead of just battling extinctions or waiting for political parties to develop policies to which we respond. That is, we think, the best thing Forest & Bird can do for nature.

Claire Browning is a Forest & Bird Conservation Advocate.

Forest & Bird

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letters Forest & Bird welcomes readers’ letters on conservation topics. Letters should be up to 200 words and must include the writer’s full name, home address and daytime phone number. We don’t always have space to publish all letters or publish them in full.

The best contribution to the Letters page of the February 2012 issue will win a copy of Collins Field Guide to New Zealand Wildlife by Terence Lindsey and Rod Morris (HarperCollins, $44.99). Please send letters to Editor, Forest & Bird magazine, PO Box 631, Wellington 6140 or e-mail m.skinner@forestandbird.org.nz

by December 5.

1080 debate For two years I served as a volunteer guide on Tiritiri Matangi, the most satisfying and meaningful experience of my life. The guides at Tiri, especially those who lent their hands and backs to the reforestation of the island, share a pride and reverence for Tiri that cannot be appreciated without deep connection to the flora and fauna that thrives there. Pride and enthusiasm come out in all our conversations with visitors and with each other.

At the same time, there is for many a quiet undertone of sadness, which comes from knowing that Tiri is the exception, not the norm in New Zealand, and the ecosystem we interpret is being lost elsewhere. It is not too much of a stretch to say that, along with the impossibly huge work of the Spade Brigade and DOC cooperation, intensive pest eradication made the Tiri of today possible.

But what about the New Zealand of tomorrow? I commend Forest & Bird for its continued advocacy of the use of 1080 to save what is left of the natural legacy of many thousands of years, before it is lost in a matter of decades.

Steven T Branca, Wisconsin, United States This letter is the winner of New Zealand Horizons by Andris Apse.

Tiritiri Matangi Island

It worries me that Forest & Bird’s uncritical support for 1080 can encourage aerial drops in totally inappropriate places. A few years ago, a large area of public conservation land on the Buller Coal Plateau was 1080-ed despite a host of scientific reports showing it has few predators. The plateau has many native birds that we know are killed by the poison – kea, South Island robins, weka, ruru and fernbirds are examples. Fernbirds are a particular worry since they are very common up there and a recent DOC 6

| Forest & Bird

study showed that 10 per cent were killed in a 1080 drop.

As fernbirds are insectivorous, it is most likely they were killed as a result of eating poisoned insects.

With aerial 1080, we still have very little idea of what is killed and what is not. This is why I favour trapping and quick-acting poisons like cyanide where the pest dies close to the bait and can be identified.

Pete Lusk, Westport Forest & Bird Conservation Advocate Nicola Vallance replies: Forest & Bird does not show uncritical support for 1080. In the past, Forest & Bird’s criticism of 1080 operation techniques has helped drive improvements so that, in some circumstances, one-tenth of the pellets once used are now distributed, and we have advocated strongly for increased monitoring of species.

It is important to think of the population of species compared with individual bird deaths. Any bykill is disappointing but far more native birds are killed by predators than 1080 or any other toxin. Landcare Research has estimated 26 million birds a year are lost to predation.

In the case of kea, on the West Coast, 60 per cent of nests are predated in areas without pest control, and the figure is about 40 per cent for other areas.

It is correct that three out of 30 monitored fernbirds were found to have been killed by 1080. This is not ideal but a far higher fledgling success rate is expected because breeding birds will not be under as much pressure from predators. Small birds are generally fast breeders and populations can bounce back quickly. One operation in the Wakatipu region saw South Island robins increase 180 per cent in the year after the 1080 operation.

Forest & Bird works closely with the Animal Health Board and DOC, and we continue to advocate for more monitoring of non-target species. However, as the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment said this year in her report on 1080, “we do not have the luxury of time”.

I must admit to a bias in supporting DOC’s use of 1080 to eradicate pests on conservation land. In whose opinion can we have confidence? What criteria can we use in judging the integrity of the “experts” on either side of this debate?

Here’s a checklist of questions we might ask ourselves: 1 What is the quality of the research on which this opinion is based? Is the data based on anecdote or has it been collected scientifically and analysed by qualified,

experienced researchers? Have the published results been reviewed by independent peers?

2 In expressing an opinion, does the “expert” have an open or a hidden agenda? Is the opinion based on a sound and non-spurious rationale?

3 Are the opinions expressed accepted by other reputable organisations such as Forest & Bird or the Environmental Risk Management Authority or the New Zealand Conservation Authority?

4 Is the organisation prepared to admit to previous errors, and what has it done to mitigate these errors?

5 In putting this opinion into practice, does the organisation have resource consent? Does it have a code of practice? Has this been followed?

I give DOC an A+ rating on the above when it comes to 1080 use. I have confidence in its opinions and practice.

1080 is probably the most useful tool we have in enabling the translocation of predator-sensitive species like saddlebacks to mainland conservation areas.

David C Monro, Whängärei I am a huge fan of Forest & Bird’s work. However, I have one criticism. Some people are very much against the use of 1080 and are often emotional and vocal about their opinions. The opposition, DOC and seemingly most conservation organisations, myself included, are for the use of 1080.

Because this is such a hotly debated topic, I think it is necessary that we, as scientists and conservationists, stick to the facts and not engage in this argument in an emotional way. I thought Kevin Hackwell’s Soapbox (August Forest & Bird) was a great article, but for one sentence.

He compared some opponents of 1080 to people likely to believe the moon landings were faked.

By making this irrelevant, judgmental comment, it took away the validity of the article.

As scientists, I think it is important we present the facts, and let people make up their own minds from there.

Ami Maxwell, Auckland

50 years ago

Happy Feet’s message The mega-charismatic Happy Feet has attracted news media attention as a curiosity and feel-good story, but could have been much better used to highlight the approaching plight of many Antarctic creatures.

As explained by Dr Richard Sadleir in the Dominion Post, this bird is likely to be a stray representing the natural process of dispersal and colonisation. Early humans probably made similar forays in past history. Young males might also be expected to feature strongly as such wanderers or adventurers.

Climate warming and the ecological disruption this will bring will make such wildlife wanderings increasingly common. In the case of Antarctic penguins, it may be warmer ocean temperatures and the resulting change in marine food supplies that sends them off as refugees with no prospects – rather than as occasional strays.

In conservation terms, such a focus on intensive rehabilitation and return to nature of one individual (male at that) is wasted expense. Efforts would be better spent keeping the specimen (live then preserved) for public display (reduces risk of introducing disease to the wild) and framing interpretation to promote awareness of the need for stronger political action on climate issues for nature as well as for humanity.

Dr Mary McIntyre, Lower Hutt

A wider vision needed: Exotics versus indigenous The Government of today has a solemn duty to plan for the welfare and happiness of those who follow after, if it is to be faithful to the high office entrusted to it by the people. Members should not only know the needs of those who elected them, but they should also be able to visualise the needs of their children and their children’s children.

If wise provision for those needs is not made now by planting indigenous timber trees, and by setting aside stands for regeneration after milling, the future demand will undoubtedly place in jeopardy the timbers in our catchment areas and national parks – in jeopardy because of lack of vision by ourselves (the forefathers of those to come), who exploited the natural resources without thought of the future.

Forest & Bird, November 1961

Forest & Bird

| 7

letters Let’s hear it for NZ kauri I am perplexed and disappointed at the decision of Auckland Council to mass plant the Australian kauri species Agathis robusta in the Rodney district. I find the fanaticism for this project disturbing as the area was once famous for its majestic stands of our own kauri, Agathis australis.

My complaints and questions to the council have been fobbed off by claims that the New Zealand species is unsuitable, only grows in forests and about poor soil quality. The council has lost sight of its obligations to protect our biodiversity and enhance our natural heritage for future generations. Streets are lined with robusta, which defies the council’s claim that it needs to have some variety in street plantings. Robusta is being planted everywhere in Whangaparäoa and Örewa, even in front of native trees including kauri, which will be completely overrun by the robusta.

Contrary to the opinion of the council, many New Zealand species do quite well as specimen trees so maybe it’s just a longstanding prejudice that is their problem.

From the time of the first European settlers, native trees have been regarded as something to be despised and eliminated to control and exploit the land. It seems nothing much has changed.

Freshwater support The recent Freshwater for Life appeal has raised more than $57,000. These funds will allow Forest & Bird to step up our urgent work to improve New Zealand’s rivers, lakes and wetlands.

It is thanks to you – our generous members and supporters – that we can better promote to councils, industry and the farming community the need for better protection of waterways, and for more sustainable business practices. Your support also allows us to work harder to lobby the government for tools to safeguard our nation’s freshwater and to tell all New Zealanders about the problems and the solutions.

“It’s great to see once again Forest & Bird members care so much about the important issue of keeping New Zealand’s waterways clean and healthy for future generations,” says Fundraising Manager Rebecca Scelly.

Neil Mayes, Auckland

Too many people

Forest & Bird North Island Conservation Manager Mark Bellingham comments: It seems that colonial attitudes of centuries past still survive. If we can be proud of our sports teams and culture, why not our unique trees? Thank you, Neil, for your advocacy for native New Zealand trees.

Please continue to write to Auckland Council about the issue. It would be helpful if other Forest & Bird members could do the same.

In the Enviro poll story (August Forest & Bird), the politicians made predictable statements about how good their policies are. I would, controversially, like to say that with nearly 75 million human births over deaths in the world annually – a root cause behind environmental degradation – one of the greenest things politicians could do is encourage people not to have children. It would be a big sacrifice for childrenloving people, but it amazes me how man puts natural instinct to overbreed over common sense not to, and at the expense of the environment we depend on.

We don’t have to have children to maintain our workforce because, with an over-abundance of people worldwide, we could easily let some into our country, if necessary.

I understand a minimum estimate of the number of species mankind is making extinct each year is 10,000. This is horrific. We should all look on nature’s right to exist as sacred, and advocate for reducing our 7 billion population.

We should think globally on conservation, not just locally.

Photo: C Rude

Stephen Conn, Nelson

Long and short of Mäori words I am puzzled by your use of the macron in some Mäori words in Forest & Bird magazine. You are extremely erratic and inconsistent in its use in the magazine, and apparently do not use it on your website, which is probably seen by many more people than your own members.

If it is to be used twice in Whängärei, why do we not see it whenever that word appears in newspapers, magazines and TV? Why is that city not now spelled Fängärei, as it is supposed to be pronounced? And why do atlases, maps, survey plans and road signs ignore that?

David L Smith, Titirangi 8

| Forest & Bird

I believe it is important to correctly spell Mäori words, including using the macron (the little line above the letter) to show long vowels, for instance, Mökihinui and käkä.

You’re right that use of the macron in Forest & Bird magazine has been erratic, but from the August edition I have tried to use macrons wherever they should appear.

Please be patient as I improve my knowledge of te reo Mäori. At present, our software doesn’t allow macrons on our website. We will work on changing this.

I can’t change the spelling of words such as Whängärei – though sometimes I wish I could! – Editor

conservation

news

Giving nature a voice at election F

orest & Bird is sending a cheeky reminder to politicians and voters during the election campaign that conservation and a healthy environment are central to ensuring a future for New Zealanders. In the lead-up to the November 26 election, our Vote for Nature campaign is using a humorous, quirky and thought-provoking poster campaign to ensure conservation is not sidelined by shortterm economic concerns.

A series of eight posters is appearing in the main centres during October and November, and they can also be seen online on our www.votefornature.org.nz web page.

The posters are intended to draw people to these web pages, where they can also find a series of policy goals that Forest & Bird believes are key to achieving a sustainable future for our environment and economy.

We have asked the major political parties to commit to these policy goals and their responses can also be found on the web pages. Some of the policy goals relate to our major campaigns. These include naming the Denniston Plateau as a reserve to ensure its protection from mining, preventing the damming of the Mökihinui River and other wild rivers, and halting the large-scale conversion of the Mackenzie Country’s tussocklands to irrigated and fertilised pasture.

Our policy goals also include protecting our biodiversity, halting the slide in freshwater quality, expanding protection of marine areas, and calling a halt to new coal or lignite mines as part of a strategy to curb climate change.

Political parties will respond to our conservation goals if they believe there is public support for a sustainable future in which we invest in our natural capital rather than continue to squander it. For example, politicians responded last year when New Zealanders told them they didn’t want mining in national parks and other precious conservation areas.

Most of the focus ahead of the election has been on the economic downturn and the rebuilding of Christchurch after the series of tragic earthquakes. Some candidates

suggest action on the environment and conservation are luxuries to be put aside during these difficult times. But we can remind them that a sustainable economy and healthy environment are crucial if we are to meet today’s challenges and secure our future. n David Brooks www.votefornature.org.nz

Photo: US Coastguard

VOTE FOR NATURE NOT SLICK POLITICS Vote for Nature when you vote votefornature.org.nz Authorised by Mike Britton, Forest & Bird, Level 1, 90 Ghuznee St, Wellington

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More marine reserves needed

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he announcement in August of five new marine reserves for the South Island’s West Coast is welcome but a simple comparison between protection on our land and in our seas shows that much more needs to be done.

Just 0.4 per cent of New Zealand’s marine area will be protected with the addition of these new West Coast reserves. In contrast, about a third of New Zealand’s land mass is under the control of the Department of Conservation.

Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson said the five new West Coast marine reserves would include the two largest reserves off mainland New Zealand. But Forest & Bird Marine Conservation Advocate Katrina Subedar said even with these new reserves, the total number of reserves around the coast of mainland New Zealand would total just 505.7 square kilometres or 2.9 per cent of the total area protected within marine reserves.

The remaining 97.1 per cent of the 17,323 square kilometres in reserves is around our offshore islands, including the sub-Antarctic Islands to the south and the Kermadec Islands to the north.

The new West Coast reserves are Kahurangi (8466 hectares), Punakaiki (3558ha), Ökarito (4641ha), Gorge (847ha) and a small educational site at Ship Creek near Haast (16ha). An additional 9557ha of sea adjoining the Punakaiki and Gorge marine reserves will be granted protection from fishing using the bottom trawling, dredging and Danish seining methods.

The four major new marine reserves were recommended by the West Coast Marine Protection Forum, which was set up in 2005 to represent local marine users and interest groups. The small Ship Creek reserve was the only one of five educational showcase sites recommended by the forum that the government agreed to adopt.

“Up till this point the West Coast has not had any marine protection off the coast, which contrasts quite markedly with the status afforded much of the surrounding land,” Ms Wilkinson said.

Earlier this year, the government expanded the marine reserves and fishing restrictions around the sub-Antarctic islands and on August 28, Ms Wilkinson formally opened

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the 400ha Tawharanui Marine Reserve, which adjoins the northern side of Tawharanui Regional Park north of Auckland.

The government has fallen well short of the promise made in its Biodiversity Strategy released in 2000 to protect 10 per cent of New Zealand’s marine environment by 2010. Increasing pressure for development of undersea oil and minerals resources underscores the need to expand marine protected areas. In late August, the government announced proposed legislation to provide some environmental controls on mining and oil drilling in the waters of New Zealand’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), reflecting the increasing development pressure.

“There is greater pressure for exploitation of our EEZ waters for extracting oil and minerals, which could lead to the risk of a disaster like the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico,” Katrina Subedar said. “This legislation was supposed to be the Resource Management Act of the sea but, unlike the RMA, this legislation refers to ‘balance’ between development and environmental protection rather than ‘sustainability’ in deciding whether a development should be allowed.”

Forest & Bird is backing a proposal to expand marine protection around the Kermadec Islands.

Our marine environment is threatened by coastal development, overfishing, the killing of non-target species in fisheries, and damage caused by fishing practices such as bottom trawling. New Zealand needs to create a network of marine reserves with a full range of representative habitats – including deepwater areas – to ensure our marine biodiversity is protected, Katrina Subedar said.

“At the moment we have zero notake protection in deepwater areas outside the 12 nautical mile territorial sea boundary.” n David Brooks

Kaiköura’s new wave of protection K

aiköura’s rich coastal waters attract whales, fur seals, sharks, seabirds and the world’s smallest and rarest dolphin, the Hector’s. Forest & Bird, like many in Kaiköura, has long recognised the significance of the area’s marine environment and the need for protection from increasing threats from fishing, habitat destruction, pollution and, potentially, mining.

On September 1, Te Korowai o Te Tai o Marokura – a group of locals including Forest & Bird – released its draft marine strategy, Sustaining our Sea. Te Korowai, the Kaiköura Coastal Marine Guardians, has been working on finding solutions to Kaiköura’s marine protection problems for six years. The group is made up of commercial and recreational fishers, and representatives from Te Rünanga o Kaiköura, the Department of Conservation, Kaiköura District Council, local businesses and Forest & Bird’s Kaiköura branch.

In 1992, Forest & Bird proposed a marine reserve around part of the Kaiköura Peninsula to protect the high marine biodiversity and the different intertidal habitats. This was eventually shelved by the government.

Ten years later, the rünanga and the Kaiköura Marine and Coastal Protection Society proposed a section 186b temporary closure, or rähui, around the Waiöpuka reef on the Kaiköura Peninsula. The rähui was created because of growing concerns about pressure from recreational, commercial and customary harvests depleting fish stocks.

Since 2002, the rähui has been renewed three times and, at this stage, will remain in place until August 17 next year. This small rähui and a small set net closure area along the coast are the only forms of protection around Kaiköura.

More is needed and this concern was shared by the local Ngäti Kurï people. Ngäti Kurï wanted to restore and improve the health of their marine environment, and their concern led to the formation of Te Korowai.

Forest & Bird Kaiköura branch members Barry Dunnett and Lynda Kitchingham have played a great role as voices for conservation within Te Korowai.

Te Korowai aims to establish: n A marine mammal sanctuary for most of the Kaiköura coast to restrict the use of seismic surveys. Other forms of protection, such as a small purse seine exclusion area, are proposed. n A large marine reserve over part of the Kaiköura canyon connecting with a small corridor to the coast south of Barney’s Rock. The proposed 12-sided marine reserve will have a generational review. n World Heritage status for the larger Kaiköura area from the mountain tops to the canyon floor n Three small coastal mätaitai reserves at Mussel Rock, Mangamäunu and Oaro. Also proposed are three mätaitai in the lower reaches of the Oaro, Kahutara and Tutaeputaputa rivers. Mätaitai are managed by tangata whenua under the Fisheries Act and are closed

Kaiköura is famous for its whales, including humpbacks.

KAIKOURA

● PROPOSED MÄTAITAI ● PROPOSED TAIÄPURE ● PROPOSED MARINE RESERVE

to commercial fishing but open to recreational fishing under specific rules. n Two taiäpure reserves, one at Oaro Blocks to Haumuri and the other around the Kaiköura Peninsula, managed under the Fisheries Act. It is proposed that one or more rähui areas will be created within the taiäpure around the Kaiköura Peninsula to protect some of the unique marine biodiversity. n Legally binding rules for recreational fishing under the Fisheries Act for the Te Korowai area to sustain local abundance of localised fish stocks. Reductions to bag limits and minimum size for certain shellfish and finfish species are proposed.

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The proposed strategy also suggests more enforcement, education, research and monitoring, a code of practice for charter fishermen, voluntary agreements with commercial fishermen and increasing reseeding of local stocks.

Forest & Bird is pleased that the Te Korowai collaborative approach has produced a draft strategy, but we believe Te Korowai has not met all the objectives of the Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Policy, specifically by not proposing to protect “representative examples of the full range of marine communities and ecosystems and outstanding, rare, distinctive or nationally important marine habitats” (MPA Policy). This draft strategy represents a good starting point for further discussion and is out for public consultation. n Katrina Subedar

Make your views heard Te Korowai’s draft marine strategy is out for public consultation, and submissions can be made until December 2. Forest & Bird encourages all members to submit on the proposed marine strategy. A submission document and template are on the Forest & Bird website, along with the full Te Korowai proposal.

See www.forestandbird.org.nz

We’re looking even better We hope Forest & Bird’s conservation messages online are even more compelling after giving our website a facelift.

The revamp, launched in September, includes more dramatic photo displays on the home page, drop-down menus to make finding your way around the site easier, and a great Google map showing some of the many Forest & Bird projects, reserves and lodges around New Zealand.

Have a peek here www.forestandbird.org.nz

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BirdLife grant for storm petrel search

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he elusive New Zealand storm petrel is one of the threatened bird species that will benefit from grants worth nearly $100,000 announced by the BirdLife International Community Conservation Fund.

The New Zealand storm petrel was though extinct for 150 years. But the bird was rediscovered in the Hauraki Gulf in 2003, and University of Otago scientists have just confirmed the storm petrel is a distinct species rather than a subspecies or a specimen with unusual plumage belonging to another species. They were able to do this by matching the DNA of 150-year-old skins in European museums to blood samples from live birds captured since 2003.

The confirmation of the storm petrel as a separate species will allow conservation efforts to be launched.

“Since 2003, researchers had largely accepted that the bird was the New Zealand storm petrel but, until we had taxonomic certainty, the conservation effort to protect the bird was paralysed,” said University of Otago senior lecturer in zoology Dr Bruce Robertson. “There was always going to be this controversy because no one knew exactly what the museum skins were.

“Hopefully now the New Zealand storm petrel will be given a conservation priority that would be given to a nationally endangered species. This will help us to fund further study of the bird, such as where it breeds.”

The BirdLife grant of $20,000 will help fund initial efforts to find where the petrel breeds, a necessary first step if plans to ensure its protection are to be drawn up. The team headed by seabird researcher Chris Gaskin will try to discover when the birds are breeding before efforts are made to track them to their breeding sites.

Other approved grants were: n $11,450 to the Täiko Trust to transfer parea, or Chatham Island pigeons, to Pitt Island. n $5400 to the Möhua Charitable Trust for a study of rock wrens. n $12,790 to the Möhua Charitable Trust to transfer möhua, or yellowheads, to Resolution Island. n $5000 to the Tawharanui Open Sanctuary for the translocation of tïeke, or saddlebacks. n $5500 to the Stewart Island Community & Environment Trust to buy a burrow-scope for a seabird study on Stewart Island. n $6310 to Ark in the Park for kökako pest control. n $20,000 to the Palau Conservation Society for megapode survey and advocacy. n $9,587 to BirdLife International Suva for Solomon Islands bird monitoring evaluation and training.

The newly discovered New Zealand storm petrel. Photo: Neil Fitzgerald

Win a book Forest & Bird is giving away three copies of New Zealand Bird Calls book and CD by Lynnette Moon, Geoff Moon, John Kendrick and Karen Baird, worth $29.99. (See review on page 64.)

To enter the draw, email your entry to draw@ forestandbird.org.nz Please put New Zealand Bird Calls in the subject line and include your name and address in the email. Or put your name and address on the back of an envelope and post to New Zealand Bird Calls draw, Forest & Bird, PO Box 631, Wellington 6140. Entries close on December 5.

The winner of the Endangered Birds draw in the August magazine is Pania Williams, of Auckland.

New Zealand Bird Calls is for sale in shops and through Forest & Bird. When you buy a copy through Forest & Bird, publisher New Holland donates a portion of the sale to our conservation work. Go to our online shop at www. forestandbird.org.nz or send a cheque for $29.99 (includes packaging and post in New Zealand) to New Zealand Bird Calls Book, Forest & Bird, PO Box 631, Wellington 6140.

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An ill wind for prions T

he impact of the worst recorded seabird wreck in New Zealand will be difficult to quantify because of the lack of knowledge about populations of broad-billed prions, according to Te Papa’s Curator of Terrestrial Invertebrates, Colin Miskelly.

During a 10-day period in July, hundreds of thousands of seabirds – about 90 per cent of which were broad-billed prions – turned up dead and dying on our shores and as far inland as the Wairarapa.

Unrelenting westerly gales for about a week and a half put the birds, which included five other species of prions, on a collision course with the 1500-kilometre-long New Zealand coastline. Some bodies of prions – a small type of petrel – were found at the top of the Tararua Ranges, and others were seen on the other side of the ranges in the Wairarapa and in other inland areas.

Broad-billed prions breed on many islands around New Zealand’s coast, including Fiordland, Stewart Island, the Chatham Islands and the sub-Antarctic Antipodes Islands.

“It’s hard to draw definite conclusions but I suspect the Stewart Island and Snares breeding population will be absolutely decimated by this event and those colonies will take decades to recover,” Miskelly said.

The number of broad-billed prions killed in this latest wreck is estimated by Miskelly to be about 250 times larger than in previous events recorded in 1961 and 1974, when other species were predominant.

Rangatira Island in the Chathams group is the best-known breeding area, with a population estimated at about 600,000 breeding pairs. Research into this population is mostly related to the broad-billed prions’ competition with the endangered Chatham petrel for nesting burrows on the island.

Miskelly said it was not clear if the Rangatira prion population had been badly affected by the wreck.

Previously, it had been believed likely these birds foraged in the seas to the east of New Zealand. But the massive numbers of deaths in the wreck raised the question of whether these birds from the very large Rangatira Island colony also forage in the Tasman Sea and were caught in the storm.

2 “The number of deaths in the wreck was so large, it seems birds from the Chatham Islands must be coming into the Tasman,” he said.

The lack of research into this species was reflected in the absence of reports of banded broad-billed prions being among the hundreds of thousands of casualties.

Reports started in early July of dead and dying prions found along the coast and even in inland areas and they continued to pour in for about another fortnight. Six prion species were caught up in the wreck – broad-billed, Salvins, Antarctic, fairy, fulmar and thin-billed.

The main difference between the six species is the width of the bills, with the three species with larger bills having lamellae, a comb-like structure attached to the inside of the upper bill to filter small crustaceans and other tiny sea creatures the birds eat.

Graeme Taylor of the Department of Conservation reported on the BirdingNZ.net website seeing five to six dead birds within each square metre on Bethells and O’Neills beaches west of Auckland. Similar reports came in from west coast beaches all over the North Island and the top half of the South Island.

Prions spend their life, apart from the breeding season, at sea and try to avoid crossing land. “Prions seem to have some complete aversion to crossing land but they could not keep fighting the wind,” Miskelly said.

Thousands of exhausted birds were taken into care but the survival rate was very low. This was inevitable given the battering they had taken. “The ones I saw were completely listless. I know that if you handle a healthy prion it will draw blood. These ones had no vigour,” Miskelly said.

DOC Wairarapa area biodiversity ranger Phil Brady said the prions that reached the Wairarapa were “in dire straits”.

“But to lose 50 per cent on the first night, then 75 per cent on the second night and then losing half of them … you don’t expect that sort of mortality. To lose more than 90 per cent was quite devastating,” he said. n David Brooks 1 Kiwi Conservation Club member Nico Maiden, 7, with one of several fatigued broad-billed prions he and his family found on Wellington's South Coast in July.

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2 A broad-billed prion. Photo: Don Merton/DOC

Takahë on Hauraki islands T

akahë and tïeke, or saddlebacks, have been reintroduced to Motutapu and Rangitoto islands in the Hauraki Gulf after the sanctuaries were declared pest free.

Pest eradication work over 20 years resulted in Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson declaring the causeway-linked islands pest-free in late August.

Two breeding pairs of takahë and 20 tieke were released on Motutapu, where Forest & Bird and other volunteers have been replanting native species. The island is mostly covered in pasture. DOC, which controls both islands as reserves, removed nine animal pests from Rangitoto and Motutapu in a major eradication operation in June 2009.

“Motutapu and Rangitoto will now play a significant role in protecting our most endangered wildlife,” Ms Wilkinson said. “The grassland on Motutapu provides a good feeding ground for takahë and the island is big enough to hold up to 20 breeding pairs. This would make it the largest population of takahë outside Fiordland.”

Motutapu and Rangitoto islands could host the largest population of takahë outside Fiordland. Photo: David Hallett

Before the eradication programme in 2009, DOC removed possums and wallabies in the 1990s. In the 2009 programme, ship rats, Norway rats, stoats, mice, feral cats, hedgehogs and rabbits were also eradicated.

As many as 30 species of threatened native wildlife are expected to be released on to the islands in the future, including kiwi, hihi, or stitchbirds, tuatara and several species of native reptiles.

“Ridding Rangitoto and Motutapu of pests marks a major conservation achievement as it creates New Zealand’s second largest pest-free sanctuary covering more than 3800 hectares combined,” Ms Wilkinson said.

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Dogs wipe out kiwi battlers

Across the waters

The Department of Conservation wants to raise the life expectancy of kiwi in Northland, where dog attacks cut their lives short. In most of New Zealand, kiwi live from 4065 years, but in Northland they average 14 years.

DOC senior community relations officer Sioux Campbell said most people do not understand that their dog can kill kiwi. “Kiwi are irresistible to most dogs as they smell great and run when chased. Because kiwi don’t have a breastbone, even playful dogs can kill kiwi easily,” she said.

A campaign has begun in Whängärei district to stress the importance of keeping dogs under control in highdensity kiwi areas. n Michelle Te Ohaere

Eagle chicks on camera: People around the world have been keeping up with a family of white-bellied sea-eagles in Sydney thanks to an online nestmonitoring camera. Since August, the nestcam set up by Birds Australia volunteers has been watched by a million people. The pair of eagles has raised two chicks in a tree close to Parramatta River. The camera has helped scientists learn more about the birds’ nesting habitats and has been popular with bird lovers everywhere. www.ustream.tv/seaeagles

DOC photographed more than 60 dead kiwi, all collected from around the Bay of Islands. Most were injured or killed by loose dogs.

Win a book Forest & Bird is giving away three copies of The Weed Control Handbook: How to identify and manage invasive plants in New Zealand by Weedbusters New Zealand, worth $29.99.

To enter the draw, email your entry to draw@ forestandbird.org.nz Please put Weed Control in the subject line and include your name and address in the email.

Or put your name and address on the back of an envelope and post to Weed Control draw, Forest & Bird, PO Box 631, Wellington 6140.

Entries close on December 5.

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New Caledonia rat success: Three important seabird islands in New Caledonia are officially ratfree, and the bird populations are already recovering.

Follow-up surveys have confirmed the good news for Table, Double and Tiam’bouène islands after work in 2008 to get rid of invasive black rats and Pacific rats. Société Calédonienne d’Ornithologie (SCO) carried out the rat removal with help from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Pacific Invasives Initiative, the New Zealand Department of Conservation and BirdLife International. Fairy terns (Sterna nereis) nested on the islands for the first time in 2010, and Tahiti petrels (Pseudobulweria rostrata) were for the first time found breeding on Table Island this year. SCO plans to rid other islands of rats.

Rarotongan eco-touring: Visitors to the Cook Islands can learn more about the islands’ wildlife by visiting Takitumu Conservation Area in Rarotonga. A new leaflet is encouraging tourists to visit the 155-hectare sanctuary to see the Rarotonga monarch, or kakerori (Pomarea dimidiate), pictured, and and other endemic birds. The kakerori was thought extinct until the early 1980s, when 21 birds were found. To save the species, intensive control of predators, particularly black rats, began and, by 2000, numbers on Rarotonga had risen to 221. For a copy of the leaflet, contact Takitumu field officer Lynda Nia at kakerori@tca.co.ck

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Loss of

a lagoon

In the 1970s, Southland’s Waituna Lagoon was the star of New Zealand wetlands.

Today it’s bordering on a cesspool. Sue Maturin investigates how draining, dairying and development have brought this waterway to such a low ebb.

G

“

idday. I hope you are going to help us save Waituna Lagoon,” a Waituna farmer said, winding down his window as he stopped to watch me film the peaty water flowing into the polluted Waituna Lagoon.

He is one of the many Southlanders who have rallied behind urgent calls to fix the problems.

Waituna Lagoon, 40 kilometres south-east of Invercargill, was in 1976 New Zealand’s first wetland to be officially recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

Now, after decades of wetland drainage and development, made worse by the recent rapid expansion in dairying and intensive farming, Waituna is so full of nutrients that it is at risk of irreversible damage.

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High levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in the sediments are threatening to “flip” the lagoon from being an ecosystem with clear water and healthy aquatic plants to one with murky, turbid water dominated by algae and slime. The seagrass Ruppia, which is central to the lake’s health, has declined in recent years. The lake is filling up with sediment. According to the Lagoon Technical Group (LTG), current expert opinion is that urgent intervention is needed to prevent a rapid “flip”.

To return the lagoon to a healthy state, LTG suggest there needs to be a 75 per cent catchment load reduction for nitrogen and a 50 per cent reduction for phosphorus.

Federated Farmers and DairyNZ say they are committed to helping protect the lagoon, but not everyone agrees on the goals or the methods to achieve them.

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INVERCARGILL •

WAITUNA LAGOON

STEWART ISLAND

1 Waituna Lagoon is regularly opened to control flooding on nearby farmland. Prolonged opening increases salinity and stresses the Ruppia seagrass beds. This year, the lagoon was opened at a new location, Charlie’s Bay, where it was expected to close more quickly and decrease salinity stress on the ecosystem. Openings may also act as a short-term measure to flush out nutrients and stop the lagoon flipping. Photo: Environment Southland 2 Waituna is a stronghold for giant kökopu, but badly timed or prolonged openings may threaten larvae rearing in the lagoon. Photo: DOC

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aituna Lagoon is part of the Awarua wetlands complex, covering 19,500 hectares. The complex was an exceptional example of a largely unmodified coastal lake-type shallow lagoon within a largely intact coastal wetland system. More than 80 bird species, including international and New Zealand migratory waders, are known to visit the wetlands. Every summer thousands of migratory waders stop over. At least 10 threatened and seven at-risk endemic species can be regularly spotted, though some, like the secretive bittern, require dedicated searching. The wetlands are a hotspot for the giant kökopu and home to longfin eels, for which the lagoon is named, (wai = water, tuna = eel). The lagoon and its tributary streams are traditional fishing areas for Mäori, and high numbers of waterfowl mean it is also popular with hunters.

Concerns about water quality and land intensification led to the establishment of the Waituna Landcare Group in 2001. Along with the Department of Conservation’s Arawai Käkäriki project initiated in 2007, they have been encouraging and supporting increased riparian fencing

and planting. Even so, not all the waterways are fenced.

Further warnings about the need to improve catchment management in 2003 and more urgently in 2007 seem to have mostly gone unheeded.

Dairy conversion in the area has been rapid, going from five farms with 800 cows in 1990, to 28 farms in 2000 and now 41 farms, with more than 20,000 cows.

More conversions are being considered. There remain about 14 sheep and beef farms, some of which are also wintering dairy cows. Nearly 400ha of wetlands have been drained in the Waituna catchment since the late 1990s, and about 30ha of bush cleared. The lower catchment is made up of infertile and poorly drained soils requiring extensive drainage and fertiliser for farming. Despite these constraints, dairy farms have been established.

Some farms do not have enough storage for dairy shed effluent and so are often forced to spread effluent on watersodden soils. But dairy shed effluent only accounts for about 10 per cent of nutrients lost from a dairy farm. Urine patches can contain up to 1000kg of nitrogen a hectare.

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A few farmers in the catchment are using nitrogen inhibitors but they are not effective all year round, especially when it is cold and wet.

Environment Southland burst into a flurry of activity early this year, visiting farms with Fonterra and DairyNZ, with support from Federated Farmers, to identify areas where environmental improvements could be made.

More research has been commissioned, monitoring and compliance has been beefed up, and working groups have been set up in an Environment Southland-led process.

Work has begun on an interim plan change to the Water Plan to introduce a stronger regulatory approach. Farm dairy effluent discharge consents have been called in for review.

Despite this, there is still a lot of buck passing between central government and Environment Southland, farmers and the dairy industry about who should pay, how to reduce nutrient run-off and how much to reduce it by. Pockets of farmers deny the problems and are even fighting back, and the industry is procrastinating, calling for more science and yet more evidence. Allan Baird, the vice-chairman of Southland Federated Farmers dairy section, has accused the scientists of having vested interests. Intense farmer pressure on Environment Southland is threatening to weaken the council’s initial resolve for tough and immediate rules.

In the meantime, some of the best farmers, such as Tony and Raewyn van Gool, are showing the way and have permanently fenced and planted waterways, constructed wetlands to filter the drain discharges and covenanted 4.6ha of remaining forest and red tussocks. Others have also permanently fenced and planted waterways and created wider temporary fenced buffers, electric fenced swales, or wet hollows, and refrained from winter grazing of crops planted in swales and gullies. According to James 3

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Ryan from DairyNZ, a few farms could do a lot to reduce nutrient and sediment run-off.

The trouble is that recent modelling shows that even the very best farm practices, including herd homes, are unlikely to be enough or brought in fast enough to save the lagoon. As well as requiring every farmer to implement best practice, rules are needed to bring about immediate changes in land management, such as reducing cow numbers to match soil capabilities, stopping wintering on fodder crops, no further wetland drainage or native vegetation clearance and the use of rigorous nutrient management systems.

Relying on voluntary measures such as the 2003 Dairying and Clean Streams Accord has not worked. The parlous state of our lowland streams and lakes is well known. The era of lax national, regional and district policies and plans, where short-term profits have taken precedence over ecologically sustainable management, should be over.

Waituna is just the most recent high-profile wetland showing poor catchment management that will end up needing an expensive clean up. As with the Waikato River and lakes Rotorua and Taupö and the recently announced $12 million clean-up for Te Waihora (Lake Ellesmere), taxpayers and ratepayers will be expected to foot most of the bill.

Farmers have to take more responsibility and adopt farm practices that stop harmful nutrients and sediments reaching waterways. It’s time for industry, too, to demand higher standards.

Sue Maturin is Forest & Bird’s Otago/Southland Field Officer.

Watch Waituna Flipping Heck at www.youtube.com/user/forestandbird

The trouble is that recent modelling shows that even the very best farm practices, including herd homes, are unlikely to be enough or brought in fast enough to save the lagoon.

4 3 Grazing of winter crops is one of the worst practices for nutrient and soil loss, as well as contaminating groundwater, and should be avoided by off-paddock wintering. Photo: Zane Moss/Southland Fish & Game 4 Waituna Lagoon is a shadow of its former ecological health.

Photo: Katrina Robertson/Environment Southland

Specialists in Nature Tours since 1986

How you can help n

Ask your local MP and political candidates what they will do to improve the quality of Waituna Lagoon and other waterways.

n

Donate to the Freshwater for Life campaign – www.freshwaterforlife.org.nz

n

Sign the Lifeline for Longfins petition to protect longfin eels from commercial fishing – http://tiny.cc/jx8vt

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• •

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New Zealand South Island Wildlife & Wilderness 15 Day Accommodated Tour - Departs 4th February 2012 See three of NZ’s national parks, the Catlins, the Otago Peninsula & Stewart Island.

Sri Lanka Wildlife, History & Culture 16 Day Accommodated Tour - Departs 11th March 2012 See the exotic flora & fauna in this enchanting island’s national parks & rainforests.

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Phone: (61 8) 9330 6066 Web: www.coateswildlifetours.com.au Email: coates@iinet.net.au GSA Coates Tours Licence no 9ta1135/36

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6 SAVE reasons to

Some unique plants and animals are counting on us to save their home on a remarkable West Coast plateau. By Marina Skinner.

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ountless native plants and animals are in serious trouble if their home on the wild Denniston Plateau is scoured out for an open-cast coal mine. In the lead-up to Christmas, Forest & Bird is focusing on just six of the special species found there – the West Coast green gecko, the great spotted kiwi, the käkä, the Powelliphanta patrickensis giant land snail, the southern rätä and the köura, or freshwater crayfish.

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These species are either only found on the plateau or are struggling to overcome various threats in other parts of New Zealand – from rats, stoats and possums or from land clearance or because unmanageable levels of silt and nutrients are filling our waterways. On the public conservation land of the Denniston Plateau, they are relatively safe. That will change forever if Australian mining company Bathurst Resources goes ahead with its plans for

COVER STORY

Denniston a 200-hectare open-cast coal mine and follows up with the greatly expanded mine it has indicated it would like.

In late August, three commissioners granted Bathurst resource consent for the mine and, in September, Forest & Bird lodged an appeal in the Environment Court against this. “This one-of-a-kind environment is home to some extraordinary plants and animals, and is already conservation land,” Forest & Bird President Andrew Cutler said. If Bathurst gets the chance to dig up the almost 90 million tonnes of coal it would like to get at on the plateau, Denniston’s entire ecology would be wiped out.

It was not an easy decision for the commissioners, who said they granted the consent with “considerable reservations and anguish”. Forest & Bird Top of the South Field Officer Debs Martin noted that the three commissioners agreed the plateau and its inhabitants were remarkable, and the mine and processing plant would destroy 200 hectares – yet they believed the economic benefits outweighed this destruction. “With such undisputed importance, we believe the commissioners erred in their final weighting,” Debs said.

The West Coast Environmental Network Inc and Forest & Bird

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Fairdown-Whareatea Residents’ Association have also lodged appeals against the Denniston mine resource consent.

Forest & Bird would like to see a new 5900-hectare reserve on the Denniston and Stockton plateaus to protect the last remaining habitat of several endangered species.

The reserve would be included in Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act to stop it being mined in the future. It would cover publicly owned land on the Denniston Plateau, the upper Waimangaroa Gorge, the southern Stockton Plateau, and the Mt William Range.

As well as resource consent, Bathurst needs a concession from the Minister of Conservation to have a processing plant and infrastructure on conservation land.

If the Department of Conservation advises the Minister to 24

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grant the concession, it will be publicly notified, and people will have the chance to make submissions about their concerns.

Worryingly, the company doesn’t need a concession for the coal mine – the large open-cast benched pit with the biggest impact on the landscape – because this is covered under the Crown Minerals Act. But – now it gets really complicated – Bathurst needs an access arrangement with DOC to destroy conservation land to get access to the coal. Up until now, there’s been no public consultation on access arrangements for coal mines. After the backdown last year on opening national parks for mining, the government agreed to publicly notify any proposed access arrangements. Unfortunately, the legislation to back up the promise has not yet been passed. The big question is

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5 whether the Minister of Conservation will notify the access arrangement for the Denniston mine so the public can make submissions on it. This would be our best chance to point out the extreme damage the massive open-cast mine would make.

Every opportunity New Zealanders have to express their support for a wild and natural Denniston Plateau is another lifeline for the special native plants and animals that make their home there.

1 South Island käkä (Nestor meridionalis meridionalis) were once widespread but are now listed as nationally endangered. They are found on the Denniston Plateau. Photo: Rod Morris 2 The carnivorous giant land snail Powelliphanta patrickenis is nationally endangered and found throughout the Denniston Plateau. Photo: Alan Liefting

6 3 Southern rätä on the depleted soils of the Denniston Plateau are bonsai versions of rätä found elsewhere. In other parts of New Zealand they grow to 20 metres but in Denniston they reach just one metre. Photo: Rod Morris 4 Köura, or freshwater crayfish, play a key role in cleaning up waste in our waterways, though numbers are falling as our waterways become more polluted and damaged. They live in the waterways of the Denniston Plateau. Photo: Rod Morris 5 The great spotted kiwi, or roroa (Apteryx haastii), is the tallest of all kiwi. Great spotted kiwi are found in three pockets in the upper-western corner of the South Island, including the Denniston Plateau. There are about 16,000 great spotted kiwi, and they are ranked nationally vulnerable, New Zealand’s third-highest threat ranking. Photo: Rod Morris 6 The West Coast green gecko (Naultinus tuberculatus) eats flies, moths and other insects, and – unlike some other native geckos – keeps a low profile on the Denniston Plateau. Photo: Rod Morris

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A young kea on the Denniston Plateau.

DENNISTON WESTPORT

How you can help

Your gift to Denniston This Christmas you can give a gift that could save one of the threatened species living on the Denniston Plateau. When you choose one of Forest & Bird’s six gift options, your donation will go towards our Denniston work in court, in the community and at local and central government forums. See www.forestandbird.org.nz or email membership@forestandbird.org.nz or phone 0800 200 064 to buy a Denniston gift. Contact us at least two weeks before Christmas, and a gift card will be sent to you or your friend in time for Christmas.

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Sign Forest & Bird’s petition to Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson asking her to decline any access or concession arrangements for open-cast coal mining on the Denniston Plateau and to create a reserve on the area’s public land. See www.forestandbird.org.nz

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Donate to Forest & Bird’s campaign by giving a Christmas gift for Denniston.

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In the run-up to the election, ask your local candidates if they will help save Denniston.

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Visit the Denniston Plateau this summer and see for yourself how special it is.

Send your photos or short videos to us at office@forestandbird.org.nz

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Become a Denniston supporter at http://tinyurl.com/4yuqs8m and receive regular updates.

Jungle Green

Classic Blue Funky Purple

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The environment: Everyone’s business

In our series about New Zealand’s future, Rod Oram examines the trade-off between the environment and the economy, and his vision of a sustainable future.

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f all the developed countries in the world, New Zealand depends most on the natural environment to earn our living. Yet a trade-off between the two is the deeply ingrained response of most people in businesses and government. As a result, we devalue both. We under-perform economically and we degrade the environment. This model is already unsustainable.

We aren’t earning enough in global markets to pay good wages and to invest adequately in education, health, research and infrastructure.

For example, poor pay has left our households the second most indebted in the OECD; funding for tertiary education is falling in real terms, that is, adjusted for inflation; and many measures of environmental health are falling.

Quite simply we are compromising our ability to compete.

Yet, if we understood that the environment is the economy we would be at the forefront of an epoch-

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defining global shift to sustainability. Our ecosystem and our people would flourish as we changed values and technology to those that worked with the environment, not against it.

Historically, companies have run themselves mainly by measuring and managing the flow of money through them.

But those learning to do the same with their use of natural resources and their environmental impacts are developing far more sustainable, resilient and profitable businesses.

While these concepts are still a long way from being mainstream around the world, interest in them is accelerating rapidly. You know a subject is gaining critical mass when the Harvard Business Review picks up on it. It did with sustainability in its September 2009 edition. The HBR devoted almost the entire edition to the field. One article concluded that sustainability was “innovation’s new frontier”.

NATURE OF TOMORROW

New Zealand could be at the forefront of renewable energy, not just in electricity through wind, hydro and geothermal but also in liquid fuels by converting biomass or industrial waste gases into ethanol.

Ray Anderson, who died in August, was one of the American pioneers. He made a big impact when he spoke at the Better By Design CEO summit in Auckland in 2008.

His story gave great hope to the small band of New Zealand companies – such as Icebreaker, the maker of merino clothing – seeking to make themselves sustainable.

Anderson established Interface, a maker of carpet tiles, in 1973. By 1994 it was the world’s largest. He was 60 but he was far from done. Inspired by Paul Hawken’s book The Ecology of Commerce, he determined to remake his business as a sustainable enterprise.

By 2007 Interface was, he said, halfway up “Mount Sustainability”. Greenhouse gas emissions were down 92 per cent from 1995, water use down 75 per cent, and 74,000 tonnes of used carpet had been recovered from landfills.

The US$400 million of annual savings by making no scrap and no off-quality tiles more than paid for research and development and process changes. Some 25 per cent of Interface’s new material came from “post-consumer recycling”. Sales had grown by two-thirds since his conversion, and profits had doubled.

Interface is still a great rarity in the world. At best, most companies concerned with the environment still focus on reducing their impact on it rather than on fundamentally reinventing their relationship with it. And, of course, there are plenty more in full exploitation mode.

We’re no different in New Zealand. Three big problems arise from our common trade-off between the environment and economy. First, in any push-pull between the two, the economy usually wins thanks to short-term profit taking by asset owners. For example, 78 per cent of businesses were opposed to the Emissions Trading Scheme two years ago, according to a survey in the government’s first annual report on the ETS. Now, 63 per cent support it.

Many companies had protested that the ETS would drive some of them out of business, or at least some of their production offshore.

The rhetoric was “wild”, said Environment Minister Nick Smith when he launched the report in August. “I can’t find a single case of jobs being lost because of the ETS.” Three main factors are driving the dramatic aboutface: the government, as it and its Labour predecessor promised, gives ample free 2 carbon credits and other

3 breaks to companies exposed to international competition; the system is easier to use than companies feared; and, most crucially of all, some companies are beginning to realise that even a very weak price on carbon is a business discipline that is driving energy efficiency and other savings. But most New Zealand businesses are ignoring these opportunities.

Second, the trade-off between the environment and the economy means both are deeply constrained. They are failing to maximise their potential. The dairy industry is the biggest example. It is already pushing hard against three limits: there’s little land left to convert to dairying; dairy land here is expensive – for example, roughly three times the cost of comparable pasture in the United States midwest; and the intensity of farming is causing water quality issues on many rivers. These constraints will drastically limit its ability to keep growing its volume.

But if dairying focused on working with the environment, rather than simply trying to mitigate the impact on it, farmers would increase their productivity.

For example, in large part the chemical constituents of agricultural greenhouse gases are the same as animal nutrients. Methane, for example, is a by-product of cows’ digestion. If scientists could work out how to help them digest their feed better, they would convert more of the nutrients into milk and less into methane.

Such breakthroughs would also help New Zealand dairy products earn a premium on world markets from sustainability-conscious consumers. Currently, our dairy commodities trade at world prices. Only more sensitive products such as infant formula gain some premium and buyer preference from our reputation for quality and food safety.

1 If scientists could work out how to help cows digest their feed better, they would convert more nutrients to milk and less to methane. Photo: Aalbert Rebergen 2 Interface founder Ray Anderson remade his business as a sustainable enterprise.

3 Face of the future – LanzaTech co-founder Dr Sean Simpson.

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The Green Growth Advisory Group … is a pale imitation of a high-powered, highly strategic business taskforce that is needed to help shape New Zealand’s economic future.

Auckland company LanzaTech is converting industrial waste gases into ethanol at a pilot plant at New Zealand Steel.

Third, the economy-environment trade-off ignores the rapidly accelerating shift in technology underway in the world, particularly in energy. While oil and coal will still be needed as major energy sources for some decades to come, they will face intensifying competition. Oil will become ever more expensive to extract and, like coal, it will increasingly be hit with a price on its carbon content; renewable energy sources will be increasingly cost competitive against them; and consumer resistance to oil and coal will build.

New Zealand could be at the forefront of renewable energy, not just in electricity through wind, hydro and geothermal but also in liquid fuels by converting biomass or industrial waste gases into ethanol. Scion, the forestry Crown Research Institute, has some promising science in the former; and Auckland company LanzaTech has a proven process in the latter with a pilot plant at New Zealand Steel and a larger one planned at a Baosteel mill in China.

Yet, Solid Energy is working on plans for a multi-billion investment in old technology to strip-mine large volumes of Southland lignite to produce coal-like briquettes for heat or power, diesel and urea fertiliser plus a 500MW lignite-fired electricity plant. The diesel would have a carbon footprint double that of fuel from crude oil. The urea carbon footprint would be higher than the current average of domestic and imported sources; briquettes would be eight times higher than burning wood pellets and the electricity at least four times the current generation mix.

The vast increase in New Zealand’s greenhouse gases would make a mockery of our attempts to reduce emissions through the weak ETS and other small-scale and barely effective government policies on the likes of energy conservation and efficiency. It would also seriously damage our international reputation.

Solid Energy says it would take “responsibility” for the emissions from production by, for example, buying forest credits. Self-servingly, its recent submission on the ETS suggested the government isolate our carbon market from the rest of the world. This would cause the price of forest 30

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credits to plunge, thanks to abundant supply swamping the tiny market.

The trade-off between the economy and environment is the defining feature of the government’s economic policy.

On one hand, it advocated at the Copenhagen climate change negotiations in 2009 establishing an international research alliance on agricultural greenhouse gases.

Currently 36 countries are members, representing 70 per cent of the world’s output of such gases. Our government is the secretariat and our scientists are co-leading with Dutch colleagues on animal research, one of three main work streams. At home, the government is funding initiatives such as the ruminant animal research center at Palmerston North.

But on the other hand, it is delaying indefinitely activating animal emissions in the ETS. It says, for example, that emission reduction opportunities are still too limited to justify inclusion. Yet, Fonterra believes it will be possible to reduce them by 30 per cent by 2030.

Similarly, the government has given the Green Growth Advisory Group a short life and a very narrow remit focused mainly on the adoption of existing cleaner technologies by small and medium sized companies. It is a pale imitation of a high-powered, highly strategic business taskforce that is needed to help shape New Zealand’s economic future.

It will take a massive groundswell of public opinion to shift government and business to the road towards a prosperous, sustainable economy. We mobilised such power with our nuclear-free stand; we can do it again with carbon-free.

Back then, the risks of a nuclear catastrophe were very small, though the cost of one would have been cataclysmic.

Now, the cost of creating ultimately a carbon-free economy is small, indeed the reward would be large. But the risks of failing to do so are not just very large, they are an outright certainty in the form of climate change and other environmental damage.

Carbon-free has yet to excite the public. But perhaps Solid Energy’s lignite plans will be the issue that will trigger the revolution.

Rod Oram is a business journalist with the Sunday Star-Times and Radio New Zealand’s Nine to Noon. In 2009 he was named the Landcorp Agricultural Communicator of the Year and he is a long-time contributor to The ICEHOUSE, the entrepreneurship centre at the University of Auckland’s Business School.

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BACKYARD conservation

A retired teacher is helping to increase numbers of rare native käkäriki by breeding them in his garden aviary. By Sophie Bond.

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rom John and Karen Staniland’s dining room window you can look down the bush-covered hillside and catch a glimpse of the Tasman Sea. Here in the back blocks of Henderson, at the end of a long and windy gravel road, the Stanilands have created a bird haven.

Their 4.5-hectare West Auckland property backs on to the second-largest Forest & Bird reserve in the country, Matuku, where John – a retired teacher – is the ranger. The Stanilands keep things bird-friendly by controlling pests and providing plenty of water, but there’s one species that gets special attention.

A chorus of soft trills guides us to the aviary, where four yellow-crowned käkäriki are chattering together in a very endearing manner. Käkäriki, or the New Zealand parakeet, is the only native bird species able to be bred and held in captivity. John has two males and two females here in his immaculate aviary, nestled in bush full of birdsong.

Thirty-three years ago John founded the Waitäkere branch of Forest & Bird and today two fellow members and good mates, Paul Dixon and Chris Bindon, join us in the garden. They’re käkäriki owners, too, and can’t say enough good things about the little red-eyed parakeets with their bright green plumage and melodic trill.

“Keeping käkäriki is a great opportunity for people with an interest in birds to get involved at a conservation level,” says Paul, who joined Forest & Bird three years ago. “Some people don’t even know käkäriki exist in New Zealand. They just know the word because it means ‘green’. They are such beautiful, pleasant birds with a lovely sound.”

Chris, who, like John, has a Forest & Bird Old Blue award, works for Auckland Council’s Project Twin Streams.

His real expertise is in New Zealand waterfowl but he has a soft spot for käkäriki. “Lately I’ve been watching mine courtship-feed,” he says. “It’s lovely. The male feeds the female regurgitated food. It’s a bonding thing – bird kissing.

When the female is incubating eggs he’ll feed her too.”

I mention that I may have seen a pair of käkäriki in my street but John gently corrects me. “You probably saw them flying away from you and caught a glimpse of green tail feathers, right? It would have been the Australian eastern rosella, which has similar colouring on the back but much more colour around the head and chest.”

The men keep yellow-crowned käkäriki, which, though rare, can be found in larger forested areas throughout New Zealand. The red-crowned käkäriki is also popular with breeders but very rare on the mainland, with predator-free islands such as Tiritiri Matangi the most likely place to catch a glimpse.

There are three further species of käkäriki. The Forbes’ parakeet is found only on Mängere Island in the Chatham Islands, and the Antipodes Island parakeet is only on the sub-Antarctic Antipodes Islands. The orange-fronted parakeet has a high risk of extinction, with only 100 to 200 birds living in the wild in Canterbury beech forests.

Releasing captive käkäriki into the wild is not allowed but the men are excited by moves to introduce käkäriki

to Auckland’s Ark in the Park. The Ark, a collaborative conservation project founded by Forest & Bird and the former Auckland Regional Council, is just four kilometres from John’s house as the käkäriki flies and is already home to birds such as tomtits, kökako and North Island robins.

“We’re negotiating with DOC now for a release of captive-bred käkäriki into this predator-controlled park in the foreseeable future,” says John. “We think they will have a good chance of surviving.”

Paul says this is an exciting time for those keeping käkäriki in captivity. “The fact these birds may one day be transitioned [into the wild] gives a real sense of purpose.”

The men stress that keeping käkäriki requires a permit from the Department of Conservation, and owners must keep a log of any sales or purchases and a record of the birds’ breeding. The birds should be housed only with other käkäriki.

As their name suggests, käkäriki are mainly green but up close you can see their vivid blue wing edges and the splash of red on their flanks. The yellow-crowned species has a patch of yellow on its head and a small strip of red above the beak.

Male käkäriki are slightly larger than the females and have bigger bills. In captivity, käkäriki will breed all year round, and John shows me a nesting box he’s preparing to install in the aviary. “They need a cavity to nest in but that’s a serious disadvantage in the wild because the female can get trapped in the nest by a predator. The invasion of pests and the destruction of our forests has led to their decline,” he says.

The three men all feed their käkäriki slightly different diets, but include apple, kiwifruit, citrus, celery leaves, birdseed mix, sunflower seeds, dried cuttlefish, peas and corn.

In the aviary, the käkäriki provide plenty of entertainment as they flit from one end to the other. They pause to chew bark on a branch of lacebark, or pluck a mänuka seed capsule with a foot and eat it one-legged while keeping a bright eye on the onlookers.

2 1 Yellow-crowned käkäriki are rare in the wild. Photos: Crispin Anderlini/ www.crispinanderlini.com 2 Forest & Bird Waitäkere branch deputy chair John Staniland in his käkäriki aviary.

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DIY

Keeping käkäriki 1 2 3 4 5 6

conservation

Keeping käkäriki in captivity requires a permit.

Download an application form from www.doc.govt.nz Buy birds from another permitted breeder or a specialist pet shop. Two is a good number to start with.

Build an aviary to DOC specifications. It needs to include shelter and be predator proof.

Set a bait station near your aviary and check it regularly. Käkäriki are particularly vulnerable to rats and stoats.

Provide several containers of water for your birds and change them often. Käkäriki enjoy bathing so make sure one container is large, shallow and low to the ground.

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Feed your käkäriki fresh fruits and vegetables and a variety of seeds. This could include parakeet/cockatiel mix, pumpkin seed kernels, apples, persimmons and celery.

3 Käkäriki love splashing in water.

4 John Staniland’s aviary in his West Auckland property.

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Put some branches in the aviary, as these serve as perches and a snack. Käkäriki enjoy eating mänuka seed capsules and chewing on the leaves and flowers of pühä and the leaf bases and fruits of coprosma.

Keep the aviary clean to help the birds stay healthy.

Clear droppings regularly, especially from water and food containers. Aviary disinfectant is available from pet shops.

If a bird is fluffed up, moving slowly, bobbing on a perch or huddled on the ground, it is unwell and should be taken to a vet.

Käkäriki are cavity breeders so provide a parakeet nesting box (available from pet stores) with fresh hay in the bottom.

our people

Still angry after all these years Craig Potton – one of three new Forest & Bird Conservation Ambassadors – has been standing up for the environment for more than four decades. By David Brooks.

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onservationist, photographer, publisher and broadcaster – Craig Potton is a man of many roles but his love of nature is at the heart of all of them. After more than 40 years as an environmental activist, the Forest & Bird Executive member is proud to join Sir Alan Mark and Dr Gerry McSweeney as a Conservation Ambassador for our organisation.

“They are people who are real comrades in arms; we have been through a lot together in campaigns over the years,” Craig says of his two long-time colleagues. He says the scientific knowledge of both is complemented by his more aesthetic and philosophical perspective on the natural world. “We may not use the same words but we have the same intensity of feeling for these wild places.”

As a toddler, Craig would dig around in the garden for worms and spiders to show his mum, giving an early indication of a lifelong fascination with nature. Political activism started early, too – he was gathering signatures for the Save Manapouri campaign during his high school years.

At university he became a member of the Beech Forest Action Committee, joining Gerry McSweeney and the late Greens Party co-leader Rod Donald, who attended his first meetings as a high school student in shorts.

Craig’s proudest achievements remain his involvement in successful campaigns to save the native forests, including the creation of Paparoa and Kahurangi national parks.

“I was proud to work with people who gave huge amounts of their lives to campaign to protect those places.

That’s more important to me than good photographs and most other things in life,” Craig says.

During four decades of activism, he has seen conservation become mainstream, gaining public acceptance and backing.

He cites polls showing huge support for protecting more marine areas and cleaning up our rivers and lakes. “It was different when I first started in conservation, but now the case for conservation has been made and the public has accepted it – but the politicians in general haven’t caught up yet.”

His lifetime has seen both gains and losses for nature in New Zealand. On one hand, he has seen käkäriki and kea retreat from Nelson Lakes National Park and weka largely disappear from Golden Bay. But on the positive side of the ledger, native forests have been saved, marine reserves established and more people have become involved in conservation.

In the end, it doesn’t matter whether you are pessimistic or optimistic about the prospects for our natural world. The important thing is to be engaged and work with others for the changes you believe in, he says. “When I was young, I said I’m angry now but I don’t want to stay angry all my life, but now I think you do have to stay angry all your life if you see things are wrong. It doesn’t matter if you are 20 years old or 60 years old.”

In his photographs of our landscapes, Craig celebrates the beauty of nature, and what he calls its “otherness” and this informs his art, activism and his love of surfing, climbing mountains or retreating into the bush. “I’m still trying to convey the message that life outside of our human life is wonderful and extraordinary and exciting to me. I want to convey that to others and that’s part of being an artist or a conservationist.”

His more recent role as a broadcaster, with last year’s Rivers TV series and this year’s Wild Coasts, is another way of sharing his continuing sense of wonder and his fears for the fate of our natural places.

Although his work takes him all over New Zealand and sometimes overseas, Craig has lived in Nelson all his life, and the wild places nearby are where he feels most at home. “The West Coast beaches where I surf, in the Nelson Lakes area in the forest up near the bushline or above the bush at the tarns – they are the places that resonate hugely with me because they are the places I went to first.”

Dr Gerry McSweeney will be profiled in the next edition of Forest & Bird.

Craig Potton doing one of his favourite things – surfing.

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our people

Willie Weka’s best mate Tim Galloway – the illustrator behind Willie Weka and Kiri Kiwi – in September created his 100th magazine for Forest & Bird’s Kiwi Conservation Club.

What’s your favourite magazine edition?

I’d have to say my favourite is the wild rivers magazine from November 2009. I was really pleased with the character Fred Whio, who leads us through the topic. I used variations in scale and perspective more than ever before. And it was the first magazine where I did everything right up to going to print – the illustrations, the layout, the scanning and manipulation and adjustment of the images on the computer, and the colours. It’s also one of my favourite cover paintings.

Who’s your favourite cartoon character?

That’s easy – Willie Weka. He is cheeky and funny (both ha-ha and a bit peculiar) and readily accommodates a wide range of expressions. I’ve drawn him so many times that he seems to pretty much draw himself now. Maybe there is a bit of me in Willie too.

What’s been the hardest thing to draw?

I always find people the hardest. We are a funny bunch and I have had to practise drawing people a lot. I reckon I’ve got better at it, especially when I look back at some of the earlier magazines. I’ve never had a problem with hands, though.

What do you like about drawings compared with photos?

Drawings give me a huge amount of freedom – I can draw a plant or animal from the angle I want just by adjusting it in my head and drawing the result. I can have as much depth of field as I want and play with perspective if I like. Photos, by comparison, are static.

Drawings also allow me to show much more personality and expression, whether it’s a wëtä, a worm or a weka. I can draw plants with the leaves where I want them (while still keeping them anatomically correct, of course) to best suit the composition of the drawing. At the same time, I reckon a good photo is a spectacular addition to the magazine.

We have recently moved from paintings to photos for the cover – but I think the jury is still out on that; some children have said to me that they prefer a painting, but others say the opposite. I really like the photographic covers – to me they lift the magazine, giving it more credibility.

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Tim Galloway – always working with kids somehow. Photo: Amanda Heine

What’s changed in the way you produce the magazine in 21 years?

When I started illustrating Wild Things, it was just eight pages, all in black and white with one spot colour to liven things up. Back then, it was called the KCC Newsletter, becoming a magazine when we increased the size to 16 pages in December 1993. I used to literally paste it up – writer Ann Graeme would post me the text which had been formatted to suit the rough page layouts she’d come up with. I’d do the drawings and paste in the blocks of text – and if I wanted to alter the composition of a page, I’d have to cut the text into lines, then words and paste them down in the new arrangement.

It amazes me now, but Ann and I didn’t meet until we’d done about five magazines. Ann was in Tauranga and I was on Banks Peninsula living and working at Hinewai Reserve.

I resisted going digital for as long as possible.

Eventually I bit the bullet and bought the software to do it all myself for issue 101. I have enjoyed the challenge of learning something new – and the increased possibilities that working digitally offers. I still draw on paper though.

Do you think KCC helps turn children into conservationists?

From what I hear, KCC and Wild Things really do encourage kids to become conservationists – we get some very cool feedback from kids, parents, grandparents and teachers along those lines. We also sometimes feature grown-up

KCC kids on the back cover, doing conservationy things as adults and talking about the influence KCC had on their career and choices.

I certainly hope it helps turn kids into conservationists. I am very pessimistic about the future of the human race and the planet (the main reason I chose not to have children) and would like to believe that my years illustrating Wild Things have made a small difference.

Influencing positive change by political activism is another way to make a difference, and many people do this to great effect. KCC has been a great medium for me to try to change things for the better using the strengths that I have. Wild Things means a lot to me and I routinely put in many hours more than my contract stipulates to do the best job I can.

What would you like to draw in future?

We have covered just about everything once or more, but every topic we revisit opens up more information, more challenges and often a new angle, which is very refreshing.

I reckon Wild Things character Henry needs a girl friend (as opposed to a girlfriend) and I’d like to draw her. She’d tell Henry to loosen up, and she’d probably be a bit like Willie without the feathers or the birdbrain.

How do you and Ann work together?

Ann and I have a very good working relationship, which goes back 19 years. The first issue we did together was number 20 in October 1992. Ann doesn’t rate her artistic skills highly, but I can always tell exactly what she has in mind from her pencil-sketched rough ideas for each magazine. We now get together every time we start a new issue to bounce ideas around and work out what to have on each page and how to lay it out. I like having the greater input into the content of the magazine that this allows too.

What else do you draw?

I illustrate books – mostly on natural history subjects.

For many years I worked as a botanical artist, including illustrating two volumes of the flora of New Caledonia, a handbook of the small-leaved shrubs of New Zealand with Hugh Wilson, and numerous scientific papers.

I have worked at Kew Gardens where I drew dozens of ferns, European and Middle Eastern Arum species and a new species of tropical orchid, among other cool botanical treasures.

I paint occasionally – I have a life-long fascination with hands (is it those amazing opposable thumbs?) – and I am working on a series of paintings of hands called Precious Things. I also have a series of NZ botanical illustrations, printed in black and white which I then hand colour with watercolours, and a series of cards featuring paintings of NZ flora. One of the coolest things has been doing a show – Nova Botanica – with jeweller Lynn Kelly. I made botanical drawings of three NZ native plants and Lynn made jewellery inspired by them.

Conservationist kept nature in public eye Shirley Bathgate-Hunt 30.11.25-16.8.2011

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hirley Bathgate-Hunt was a dedicated and longstanding member of Forest & Bird’s Hastings/ Havelock North branch. The avid conservationist was well known for writing letters to newspapers around New Zealand, to local government and to Members of Parliament in the cause of conservation issues.

She followed in the footsteps of her father, Dr David Alfred Bathgate, who founded the Napier and Hastings/Havelock North sections (which later became branches) of Forest & Bird.

Shirley served on the Hastings/Havelock North branch committee and attended her last committee meeting in August.

Recent conservation issues that concerned Shirley were the Mökihinui River and Mackenzie Basin. Last year, government MPs received an earful from Shirley over the threat to mine our national parks. Shirley constantly urged our members to support action on national issues. She also followed the progress at the Hawke’s Bay Boundary Stream reserve.

Shirley felt we are losing ground in our struggle to protect our native plants and animals, our oceans and waterways. She was adamant that we are failing to learn from the past and that decisions we make today will create impacts in years to come for future generations.

Our thoughts and best wishes go to her family. n Ian Noble and Lorna Templeton

Our history Listen to Forest & Bird kaumätua tell their stories about conservation successes, challenges and other nature tales from the past. In 1998, naturalist and broadcaster Matthew Lark recorded Forest & Bird oral histories as part of our 75th commemorative year.

Listen to the stories online at www.forestandbird. org.nz/about-us/history/Stories-of-Forest-and-Bird

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our people

Lessons from US visit F

orest & Bird Conservation Advocate Nicola Vallance travelled to the United States in July as a delegate on the US International Visitor and Leadership Program. As a member of a delegation from East Asia and the Pacific, Nicola took part in the Protecting Natural Resources Program. The delegates spent a week in Washington DC, learning about federal environmental laws and meeting representatives from government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Authority, Department of Agriculture, National Oceans and Atmospheric Administration and the Wildlife Service.

The delegates travelled to Portland, Maine, where they focused on the lobster fishery, marine conservation and river protection by local communities. They spent a week in Montana, and a few days in Hawai’i, which was especially relevant to Nicola because Hawai’i has similar biosecurity issues to New Zealand. As a land without native mammals, it is facing huge declines in native birdlife because of introduced predators such as mongoose.

Nicola said visiting Yellowstone National Park was a highlight. “As a long-time conservationist and a kid who grew up in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, seeing Yellowstone and the wildlife such as buffalo, grizzly bears and wolves that live there was an absolute thrill,” she said.

“For the US to have had the foresight to protect over two million acres in 1872 while the frontier was rapidly being divvied up for settlers is an accomplishment in itself.”

The removal of the grey wolf from the endangered species list has created controversy. The wolf was reintroduced to Yellowstone in 1995 and was delisted as an endangered species in 2009. Now surrounding states are able to kill wolves that venture outside the park.

Climate change and freshwater were recurring themes throughout Nicola’s trip. Despite Congress recently voting down a resolution simply stating that climate change has been exacerbated by humans, climate change is affecting the US. The most obvious impact in Montana was the spread of the mountain pine beetle, a native species that requires a series of cold winter nights to keep numbers down. From 1950 to 1960, there were 220 nights of minus

20 degrees Fahrenheit. From 2000 to 2010, there were only 22 nights of that temperature. The resulting increase in mountain pine beetle has infected 65 per cent of Montana’s native forests, including within Yellowstone National Park, as well as the production forest that is harvested by the government. Officials are trying to stem the spread, but with little success.

It is interesting to note that in the US, government officials from the Natural Resources Conservation Service work with farmers to determine nutrient budgets to reduce high nutrient loading and impacts on water catchments and freshwater.

Nicola spent a lot of time chatting to Americans on a wide range of issues, and found them to be friendly, keen to learn about New Zealand and aware of environmental issues. A personal lowlight was the amount of daily waste in America, with vast amounts of plastics and non-reuseable consumer items used in a culture that has little appreciation for recycling or reuse.

Forest & Bird’s Nicola Vallance in Yellowstone National Park during her US visit to learn about environmental issues.

Our new voices for nature Forest & Bird’s new Conservation Advocate, Claire Browning, was previously at the Law Commission and Ministry of Justice. She has written a blog about conservation, sustainability and other environmental issues on the Pundit blogsite since 2009.

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Our new Marine Conservation Advocate, Katrina Subedar, has a Master’s degree in marine science, and spent time at Leigh Marine Laboratory north of Auckland. Katrina joined us in August after teaching marine ecology and conservation at Northland Polytechnic.

People like us Forest & Bird member Anne Fenn is a big fan of social media website Facebook.

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or Forest & Bird Central Auckland branch chair Anne Fenn, Facebook is an excellent way for committed conservationists to keep up with events and issues, and even better for getting conservation messages to the wider world. “The odd anti-1080 person has made comments on the Forest & Bird Facebook page, but I see answering them as a real opportunity to inform other readers about why we support 1080. They can still make up their own minds, of course, but they have heard both sides,” she says.

Forest & Bird marketing and communications staffers Phil Bilbrough and Mandy Herrick kicked off Forest & Bird’s Facebook page in 2009. Its following has grown, and more than 4600 people now like the page – which means they see the Forest & Bird comments when they log on to their own Facebook page.

Anne – who was on Forest & Bird’s Executive until last year – is one of many people who regularly post comments, photos or links to other websites on the Forest & Bird Facebook page. They’re to the point, current and always have a nature or conservation theme. This year Anne also created a Facebook page for the Forest & Bird branches in greater Auckland.

“Facebook is an opportunity to tell people about events they might not otherwise hear about,” she says. “For example, a recent call for Ark in the Park wanting volunteers to help with telemetry of kokako – the call came out of the blue and without Facebook the call would only have gone to those volunteers who belong already to either Ark in the Park or in this case Waitäkere branch members on email. With Facebook, the call went out to a much wider audience.

“With another example, simply by talking a bit [on Facebook] about our project at Mötü Manawa, we have actually had quite a few people offer to join the volunteers.”

Anne usually posts several times a day on Facebook, which she finds easy to use, with features that appear automatically, as if by magic. To make a comment on a Facebook post, just click on “Comment”, type a few words and hit “Enter”, she says. “If you want to get fancy, you can easily add a photo or a video. I describe Facebook to other people who are nervous about social media as being no more than like a noticeboard in a tearoom.

It’s a good way to interact with younger people, she says. “We’re always saying we’d like more young people to be involved with Forest & Bird – here’s one way we can walk the talk. Facebook is a method of communicating that is familiar to them, and they might be interested in something they wouldn’t otherwise know about and join us.”

Anne thinks it’s a useful way to learn more about what other Forest & Bird branches have done or are doing.

“We can now let members in one branch know about events that are going on in other branches. We’ve had people from other branches registering for trips and coming along to meetings of our branch. They read about the events either on Facebook or on the Forest & Bird website. Social media seems to be the way to go if we want more communication between branches and to share events.”

www.facebook.com/ ForestandBird

I describe Facebook to other people who are nervous about social media as being no more than like a noticeboard in a tearoom.

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proud to be a

member

A great KCC ambassador “If you wanted to create a change in attitude to the environment, where would you start? Surely with the future leaders and decision makers of our country.”

Forest & Bird member Liz Tanner, of Christchurch, explains what motivated her to buy several classroom sets of Kiwi Conservation Club magazines for children who might not get the chance to learn about nature.

“I looked at the price of the class copies of the KCC magazine and felt it was a bargain so I asked at the local hospital, the women’s refuge and youth workers in lower-class areas if they could use copies of this magazine,” Liz says.

Her generous offer of Wild Things – the Kiwi Conservation Club magazine that members get five times a year – went down a treat with children who are having a tough time and could miss out on opportunities to learn about New Zealand’s wonderful wildlife and the importance of looking after it.

“Maybe there are other people out there who are passionate about changing the younger generation and with some means to help,” Liz says.

Thank you, Liz, for your generosity. We believe you are helping to build a nation of nature lovers.

A class set of 30 magazines for the five issues a year is $74. More information: www.kcc.org.nz or 0800 200 064.

If you have a story to tell about why you joined Forest & Bird or why you’re proud to be part of Forest & Bird, please let us know. Send your letter (up to 200 words) to Marina Skinner, Forest & Bird, PO Box 631, Wellington 6140 or to m.skinner@ forestandbird.org.nz

At Flooring Xtra, our local roots mean more.

Each of our stores has developed a business from the ground up, founded on honest to goodness local values, assisting people within each local region with their flooring to create better home or business environments.

Now, together as we grow beyond 50 stores nationally, we have a combined will to help better New Zealand’s greater environment. It’s why we have developed a partnership with New Zealand’s largest national conservation charitable organisation, Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society of New Zealand.

The environmental programme, which we’ve called ‘Restoring New Zealand’s Forest Floor’, commits regular funding from every local Flooring Xtra store to Forest & Bird.

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On the front line F

orest & Bird’s Central North Island Field Officer, Al Fleming, was on the ground soon after the container ship Rena hit the Astrolabe Reef off the coast of Tauranga on October 5. Al was based at the Oiled Wildlife Response Unit in Mt Maunganui, helping to organise volunteers – including many Forest & Bird members – joining wildlife recovery and beach clean-up teams, and talking to the media about the impact on wildlife and the environment.

Forest & Bird’s Seabird Conservation Advocate, Karen Baird, joined Al in Tauranga to help with the grisly task of identifying hundreds of birds washed up on beaches during the tragedy.

Forest & Bird has expressed public concern about the initial response to the oil spill and the threat of future oil disasters in our seas.

Forest & Bird is raising funds for a Bay of Plenty Shorebird Protection Programme, which will be even more critical in the wake of the oil disaster. It is needed because funding was recently cut for the long-term protection of Bay of Plenty shorebirds, such as the endangered New Zealand dotterel.

We will have full coverage of the oil spill disaster in the February edition of Forest & Bird.

For updates or to make donations to our Bay of Plenty Shorebird Protection Programme, see www.forestandbird.org.nz

1 1 Forest & Bird’s Al Fleming holds one of the many dead birds washed up on Bay of Plenty beaches.

2 Karen identifies an oil-covered seabird. Photos: Kim Westerskov

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Amazing facts about…

SNOW TUSSOCKS

By Michelle Harnett

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now tussocks – several endemic species of grasses of the genus Chionochloa – cover much of New Zealand’s high country. “Tussock” describes the way the grasses grow. Stems fan upwards and outwards from a central bunch, forming distinctive tufts and clumps. The tussock growth form has a lot of advantages for a grass growing in harsh alpine environments, but also makes it vulnerable.

The tussocks are very slow growing. It takes at least 10 years for a stem to mature. As individual stems die, they are replaced with new stems. This constant renewal gives plants the potential to live forever. It also means scientists cannot tell how old some plants are, but suspect many of them have lived for centuries.

Snow tussocks don’t flower every year. Years when they seed heavily are called mast years, but in other years little or no seed is produced. Seeding unpredictably reduces the amount of seed eaten by insects and is a good strategy for a long-lived plant.

Another trigger for seeding is fire. Tussocks survive burning well. However, allowing stock to graze burnt tussocks is a sure fire way to kill these hardy grasses. Burning exposes the vulnerable core, making it easily accessible to sheep.

Since 1840, nearly 90 per cent of New Zealand’s indigenous grasslands have been lost. Few people appreciate that tussock-covered land yields up a far greater percentage of the snow, fog and rainwater it collects, compared with grass pastures or pine plantations, for example. Rapidly changing land use, especially in the South Island, is reducing the water collected from high country catchment areas, exacerbating the demand for water in the droughtprone east.

Tussocks may buffer against climate change. The amounts of carbon stored in tussock grasslands and ways to increase carbon storage are the subjects of a project near Omarama. There is a lot more happening on our snow tussock grasslands than a tourist photo opportunity.

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Kermadec frontierland 1 42

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KERMADEC ISLANDS

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The islands to the north-east of New Zealand revealed some of their secrets on a scientific expedition this year. By Karen Baird.

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ish scientist Tom Trnksi tells how he couldn’t see his dive buddy through dense schools of fish while diving around the Kermadec Islands in May. New species turned up on the first dives of Kermadec Biodiscovery Expedition 2011, including the zebra lionfish, the first one recorded in New Zealand waters. A serendipitous find was the tiny trigger fish found hiding under a piece of floating rubbish. An orange cod and a left-eye flounder found are possibly completely new species to science.

The expedition was the biggest ever scientific inshore survey of the Kermadec region and included diving in environments never before explored by scientists. It increased the number of known species of fish by 10 per cent, with 17 new to New Zealand. Some species are from new families for New Zealand – rare in biodiversity discoveries. These include a surf sardine, a type of fish easy to miss because of its silvery appearance and because it swirls around in the surf. Auckland Museum marine curator Trnski and fellow fish biologist Malcolm Francis glimpsed these on one dive and collected one by chance on the next dive when using rotenone (a naturally found substance that puts the fish to sleep). Surf sardines are known from Hawaii, Japan and Australia, but not Lord Howe or Norfolk Islands in between.

Kermadec waters are bustling with life – no surprise since they are protected by the largest no-take marine reserve in New Zealand. A striking feature is the number of large top predators, which are there purely because the area is not fished.

DOC marine biologist Clinton Duffy – a shark specialist – counted fish, and hopes to use sophisticated stable isotope techniques to get a glimpse of the food web.

Some species have certainly learnt to diversify, and it was a huge surprise for the scientists when a large kingfish was opened up to reveal three petrels in its stomach. Another exciting first was the collection of a sample of skin from one of the tiny Tursiops dolphins found around the Kermadecs.

Duffy speculates that they might be genetically distinct from other Tursiops species but we will have to wait until the results have been analysed before we can be sure.

With the fisheries biologists was DOC senior botanist Peter de Lange. Good weather and luck enabled de Lange to land on all but one island in the group. The vascular plants are well known but there were some exciting discoveries among the bryophytes and lichens: two filmy ferns with tropical connections. One surprising discovery was a sneeze wort often used in Asian medicines, and at one time ground up and used as snuff. Of the 73 moss species de Lange collected, he found one new genus and species for New Zealand and 28 new to the Kermadecs.

De Lange didn’t confine his observations to plants. He found a new land crab on Macauley Island (though it was too fast to be caught). He believes its presence and the spread of seedlings of the endemic Kermadec poplar and ngaio are good indications that the rat eradication that took place in 2006 has been successful.

As a former DOC programme manager for the Kermadec Islands, I am especially excited by this news as

3 1 Striped boarfish (Evistias acutirostris). Photos: Malcolm Francis 2 Banded coral shrimp (Stenopus hispidus).

3 A zebra lionfish (Dendrochirus zebra) found in Kermadec waters is the first recorded in New Zealand.

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I

4 decades of devastation by goats have reduced the plant life to a hardy fern and sedge, which have been spreading unchecked over the island since goats were eradicated.

This has potentially been reducing the habitat for one of our most spectacular endemic species of seabird, the white-naped petrel. A return to a forested landscape will be good for seabirds needing sturdy take-off platforms and shelter for nesting. De Lange also managed to add a couple of new bird records for the Kermadecs while he was there – a spine-tailed swift and a Tahiti petrel.

Perhaps most amazing of all is one more secret that was revealed. De Lange says we now have a whole new ecosystem to add to New Zealand’s biodiversity – makatea.

These uplifted coral reefs form the northern islets of Napier, Nugent and the Chanters with their own distinctive vegetation type.

4 Spotted black groper (Epinephelus daemelii).

5 Ghost Net tapa by Australian sculptor and installation artist Fiona Hall.

To the is-land A small group of artists ventured to the Kermadec Islands in May on an expedition led

by Pew Environment Group. For Wellington sculptor Elizabeth Thomson, “the vastness of the sea once you are beyond sight of land was memorable”. Diving from their ship into the sea at the Tropic of Capricorn was “a real sense of depth, colour and mystery, and an almost primal connection where you can feel you would almost disappear into it ... a connectedness at a cellular level”.

Thomson has worked on Kermadec artwork for many years, though this was her first opportunity to visit the islands of her imagining. A fantastic collection of her sculpted deep water fish are found in the Kermadec Restaurant on Auckland’s waterfront.

The Kermadec artists will share their visual interpretations of the islands at Tauranga Art Gallery from November 19.

See www.thekermadecs.org/artists-inthe-south-pacific 44

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5

accompanied another voyage to the Kermadecs this year – on a Heritage Expeditions tour – as a guest lecturer and guide. Returning to the Kermadecs with tourists enabled me to take a fresh look without my DOC managerial hat on.

The DOC staff and volunteers who live on the Kermadecs develop a strong sense of caring for these forgotten islands and the magnificent seas that surround them. The sea passages offer great opportunities to spot my favourite seabirds, such as the tiny endemic Kermadec storm petrel.

It is still a relatively unknown frontier whose very remoteness creates a high degree of vulnerability. Our tourists took spectacular photos and film and made lists of all the creatures and plants we saw. They were so inspired that they want to see this place protected from future exploitation. Everyone who visits wants to raise awareness about this special place.

Karen Baird is Forest & Bird’s Kermadec and BirdLife International Global Seabird Programme Advocate.

See www.thekermadecs.org

World’s largest sanctuary

Forest & Bird has been working with the Pew Environment Group and WWF New Zealand for the past three years on a proposal to expand marine protection around the Kermadec Islands. The proposal would transform the current Kermadec marine reserve into an enlarged ocean sanctuary extending to the 200 nautical mile Exclusive Economic Zone boundary. This would create a marine sanctuary of 620,000 square kilometres, the world’s largest no-take sanctuary.

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You can expect to see thousands of Crested and Whiskered Auklets, the majestic Steller’s Sea-Eagle on its nest as well as many of the special land birds of Siberia, making these trips a truly unique birding spectacle. The region also boasts some amazing mammals with Brown Bear, Walrus, Arctic Fox, Beluga and Grey Whales being just some of the likely species.

Heritage Expeditions is a BirdLife International Species Champion for Spoon-billed Sandpiper. Next year we hope to build on the success of our July 2011 expedition when some of our staff and passengers found a new breeding population of this critically endangered shorebird. To quote one of the group: “Do birding highs get better than this!”.

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in the field

rellies

1

Ann Graeme gives a little to conservation in Indonesia and is rewarded with a glimpse of orangutan family life.

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t is very hot in Tanjung Puting National Park, three degrees below the equator on the south coast of Indonesian Borneo. We’re reclining, sipping tea and eating banana fritters on our long-boat as it putt-putts down the Sekonyer River, taking us back to Rimba Lodge.

Reclining is the best way, and evening the best time, to watch the jungle slip by. The monkeys are gathering in their riverside trees, tails dangling, mothers grooming their friends and their babies. And there an orangutan, silhouetted by the slanting sun, is peering through the branches at us. Then, hand over hand, it swings away through the trees.

On a trip organised by Steppes Discovery, a UK-based conservation travel organisation, we had come to see the orangutans in Tanjung Puting National Park. But there is much, much more to experience here, in one of the world’s largest areas of protected swamp forest. Its size makes it a massive carbon sink, a moderator of the weather and a treasure house of biodiversity. It is home to 600 different kinds of trees and 250 species of birds. Among its 28 species of large mammals are nine primates, of which the most famous is the orangutan.

Like kiwi and kökako in New Zealand, orangutans are flag bearers for the Indonesian rainforest. Saving them means saving their forests and all the diversity of life they support.

Tanjung Puting is home to about 4000 Indonesian orangutans out of a total population of only 20,000.

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Outside the park, their numbers fall by about 2000 a year.

Even the haven of the national park is not entirely safe, threatened by uncontrolled fires, illegal logging and encroaching palm oil plantations.

Tanjung Puting is also the home for captive-raised orangutans, orphans from ravaged rainforests. Raised to six or seven years old and taught by human caregivers, these youngsters are gradually released into the park and encouraged to stand on their own feet, though this metaphor is scarcely appropriate for an animal that spends most of its life swinging in the treetops.

Because the release sites are staffed and provide supplementary food for the new arrivals, they offer fine opportunities for observing orangutans in the wild.

O

n our first day, we walked through the forest to a feeding site where food was put out at a certain time every day. It was like going to a play. There was the stage, a wooden platform on which the guides had heaped bananas. At three o’clock we were seated on rough benches, well back from the platform, waiting for the show to begin. Unlike a theatre play, there was no guarantee of a performance.

We waited. The cicada orchestra played, its beat swelling and fading as we fanned ourselves in the heat. The noise of flailing trees and glimpses of dark bodies showed us that actors were waiting in the wings.

Then there was a thrashing of branches and Doyo, the king orangutan, appeared. He heaved his massive body on to the platform and sat facing us, his dark eyes inscrutable between his jowly cheek pouches. He radiated power.

Indeed, he looked not unlike one of our past and most fearsome prime ministers.

Then he picked up a handful of bananas and deftly peeled each one with his lips. At last he stood up, then swung down from the platform and disappeared.

With the chief actor gone, the stage was free for others.

A mother orangutan carrying a baby swung down, looking small and delicate after the massive male. A timid teenager snatched a bunch of bananas and bounced away. We walked away, deeply satisfied with the experience.

H

igh in the tree above us a baby orangutan swung to and fro. She was trying to reach the next sapling so she could cross from tree to tree like her mother did, but her little weight could not bend the branch.

Below her lounged her mother. She seemed oblivious to her baby’s play but then she stretched out an arm, grasped the neighbouring tree and swayed it closer. The infant grabbed the branch and, greatly daring, crossed to the next tree.

It was like watching a mother helping a toddler in a playground – the gesture so gentle, so encouraging and so human. Nowhere else in the animal world is the bond between mother and child more intense or more prolonged.

Single-handed, the mother orangutan looks after her infant.

At night she builds a platform of branches for them both to sleep in, but by day, as she swings through the forest in search of food, she must carry her baby – not for weeks or months but for five years.

On her back, hanging on her breast, sitting on her head like a floppy hat, she and her baby are inseparable. Without a mother, a baby orangutan will die. Only after six or seven years will it have learnt the skills to survive.

Indonesia faces a growing population and increasing demands for land so the future for these great apes looks bleak. Studies suggest that, at the current rate of forest destruction, orangutans could be extinct in the wild in 10 to 20 years. We all contribute to this destruction – the loggers, the palm oil plantation owners cutting down the forest and we, the consumers of tropical timber and palm oil. We play a part in the loss – or the conservation – of these far-away forests.

While the conservation of orangutans and their rainforest belongs to the people of Indonesia, we feel privileged to have helped a little and to have seen the great apes, the forests they live in and to have met the charming people who share their world.

How we can help Don’t… n

buy rainforest timber. Build your decks of our plantation pine or eucalyptus, not of kwila.

n

feed palm oil residue to our dairy cows. Last year we imported 1.4 million tonnes, making palm oil cultivation more profitable, encouraging forest loss and destroying the market for our home-grown grain and maize silage.

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buy products that use palm oil. It is often labelled “vegetable oil”. www.Aucklandzoo.co.nz/conservation has a palm oil-free shopping list.

Do… n

have fun and help conservation when you travel.

Visiting national parks shows we value them and helps in their conservation, contributes to the local economy and provides employment for local people.

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Travel tips n

Steppes Discovery, for conservation travel – www.steppesdiscovery.co.uk

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Orangutan Foundation UK – www.orangutan.org.uk

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Yayorin, the local conservation organisation in Pangkalan Bun, takes conservation and environmental education to schools and farming communities. They welcome visitors and offer attractive accommodation – info@yayorin.org

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Rimba Orangutan Eco Lodge – www.ecolodgesindonesia.com/ecolodge/

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Volunteer in Indonesia with Friends of the National Parks Foundation – www.fnpf.org

1 A mother orangutan carries her youngster for its first five years.

Photo: Basil Graeme

2

2 Male orangutan Doyo gets first pick of the bananas on the feeding platform at Tanjung Puting National Park. Photo: Basil Graeme 3 Long-boats on Sekonyer River. Photo: Ann Graeme

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A rock and

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ROCK STACKS

• HAAST

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a hard place Learning more about a critically endangered skink and a rare leech were the rewards for an expedition to two razor’s-edge rock stacks off the Fiordland coast.

By Ruth Nichol.

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pending an uncomfortable night camped on two precipitous rock stacks off the coast of South Westland paid off for a party of intrepid skink hunters in March. The group of three Department of Conservation staff – Rebecca Wilson, Gareth Hopkins and Jeff Rawles – and herpetologist Marieke Lettink, caught 23 rare Open Bay Islands skinks on the rock stacks, which sit about 1.5 kilometres off the coast south of Haast.

The skink – also known as the Taumaka skink (Oligosoma taumakae) – is one of the six most endangered reptiles in New Zealand; all of them are skinks that live in the South Island. Until recently the only known population of Open Bay Islands skinks was on the Open Bay Islands.

According to Dr Lettink, the number of skinks caught while they were on the rock stacks suggests at least 200 to 300 skinks are living on them. “It’s not enough to take them out of the critically endangered category,” she says, “But it’s good to know there’s a safety back-up should something happen to the population on the Open Bay Islands, which is under threat from predation by weka introduced about 100 years ago.”

The group also discovered several land leeches, believed to be the rare Taumaka leech, which was last seen on Taumaka Island (one of the two Open Bay Islands) in 1995. The leeches, which live on the blood of seabirds, appeared when hundreds of fairy prions descended on the rock stacks at dusk and started trying to roost on the group members’ heads and laps. “While suffering this feathery onslaught, Jeff lifted his pack up to find some leeches underneath,” says DOC diversity officer Rebecca Wilson.

Genetic testing has confirmed that the skinks are the same species as those found on the Open Bay Islands but it has not yet been possible to carry out genetic tests on the leeches to identify them.

The group mounted the expedition after DOC staff spotted skinks during a survey of the rock stacks – which the department prefers not to name to stop them being found by international reptile traffickers – in March 2010.

The purpose was to find out more about the size and condition of the population and to collect material for genetic testing.

Being roosted on by passing seabirds was just one of several challenging aspects of the expedition. Even getting to the steep, narrow rock stacks was an undertaking. The four members of the group were flown to them courtesy of a generous donation from Mountain Helicopters. The two women were deposited by pilot Nathan Healy on to one rock stack and the two men were taken to a larger one a short distance away.

“Getting on to the stacks was tricky. They are very steep and the area available to land incredibly small, so we were happy to have such an experienced pilot dropping us off,” says Ms Wilson. “We took bivvy bags with us – there was no room to put up a tent. There was hardly enough room for us to lie in a straight line to sleep.”

1 The rock stacks off the South Westland coast are steep slivers in the sea.

Photos: Rebecca Wilson 2 A helicopter deftly lands on a rock stack to pick up expedition members.

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3 5 Once they had landed, the women set out specially designed traps to catch the skinks. Dr Lettink also used her superior skink-wrangling skills to catch some by hand. They trapped 21 skinks altogether, and collected tail tips from 10 before releasing them. “You take just a few millimetres from the end of the tails. You can either twist it off – the vertebrae in the tails have natural fracture planes – or you can use a pair of sharp nail scissors. It heals very quickly, and it’s much better than taking the whole skink,” says Dr Lettink.

The men also set traps, but finding skinks on their rock stack was more difficult because it was very steep and difficult to navigate without climbing equipment. They trapped only two skinks but they saw others. The men also set out rodent tracking tunnels to find out whether predators had made it to the island, and found no sign of rats or mice. “That indicates the rock stacks are probably predator-free, which is really good news for the skinks,” says Ms Wilson.

According to Dr Lettink, the most likely explanation for the skinks being on the rock stacks is that the stacks – along with the Open Bay Islands – were once joined to the mainland. “It is possible for skinks to colonise islands by rafting on logs or floating vegetation, but it’s more likely that they once lived all along the coast, and that the rock stacks and the islands were joined to the coast – and to each other.”

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Ms Wilson says that while it’s great to have found a back-up population of Open Bay Islands skinks, it’s also important to continue with efforts to protect the population on the Open Bay Islands. There is now general agreement that the weka need to be removed from the islands, and DOC is negotiating with the iwi trust that owns the island about how to do this. “At the moment, the skinks on the island aren’t doing too well, but we hope to come to an agreement about how best to protect them very soon.”

Dr Lettink is positive about the Taumaka skink discovery.

“One of the delights of finding this population on a predator-free island is that you don’t need to do much management except make sure that no predators make their way out there. That seems unlikely as they are a long way from the shore, and they are so small they would be a hard target to encounter.”

3 Jeff Rawles makes space for dinner. Photo: Gareth Hopkins 4 Lizard expert Marieke Lettink weighs an adult skink.

Photo: Rebecca Wilson 5 Rebecca Wilson collects a skink trap. Photo: Marieke Lettink 6 A rare leech, which lives on the blood of seabirds.

Photo: Gareth Hopkins 7 A helicopter hovers over a rock stack.

Photo: Don Neale 8 An adult Taumaka skink. Photo: Rebecca Wilson

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There was no room to put up a tent. There was hardly enough room for us to lie in a straight line to sleep.

Rebecca Wilson

Lizards clinging to life

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New Zealand has 57 species of skinks of which 56 are native.

Skinks belong to the family of reptiles known as lizards. New Zealand has only two kinds of lizards – skinks and geckos.

According to Dr Lettink, lizards are the second most diverse group of vertebrates in New Zealand, after birds.

However, introduced predators, including cats, ferrets, stoats, weasels, hedgehogs, rats and mice, have significantly reduced their numbers.

“Before the arrival of introduced predators, lizards would have been very abundant and an important part of the ecological chain both as predators and prey,” she says. “They provided food for other native species like the tuatara, and they ate invertebrates themselves.

They also helped disperse seeds from native plants and pollinate their flowers.”

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rangatahi our future

Lessons from our children Our youngest generation will inherit the natural world we leave them.

Michelle Te Ohaere asks three young people what they see ahead.

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Finn Bellingham 16

Leilani Fam 9

Claire Cooper 11

AUCKLAND

WELLINGTON

WELLINGTON

Do you think New Zealand’s natural environment will be in a better state when you are older?

Yes I do, but it depends on the different factors as people are always getting more and more educated about the environment. It also depends on whether the government takes the lead on cleaning it up.

There’s definite potential.

It’s probably going to be worse, because people keep cutting down trees and, because of all the cars and greenhouse gases, the environment’s just going to be in a really bad state.

I reckon it will. Our school went to Zealandia to plant native trees and we saw at least five or six native species that would’ve been extinct, including the saddleback.

Do you think any more native animals will become extinct in your lifetime and why?

A few. Especially when mining destroys natural environments, where native snails and geckos are only found in certain areas. Also the fairy tern could become extinct if nothing is done about it.

Possibly the kiwi. There seems to be a lot of concern about them at the moment.

It’s possible; maybe some birds such as the kiwi and takahë.

Do you think New Zealanders will care more about our environment when you are older?

Yes. Education means more and more people are aware of what’s happening.

Thirty years ago there was hardly any awareness of environmental issues, so I definitely think people will care more in the future.

Maybe. It’ll be so dirty that they’ll probably want a cleaner environment so will have to do something about it.

It will be about the same.

People care a lot right now so they probably will in the future too.

What is the most important environmental or conservation problem New Zealand should be trying to solve right now?

There are a few. Mining is a big one, but the good thing is there’s heaps of support against it. Farming is another, particularly dairy farming in terms of water pollution and soil erosion.

And overfishing.

We should be stopping trying to cut down all the trees and native bush.

Litter. There’s a lot of kids who throw litter and plastic away, which is bad for the environment. There should be a shift to biodegradable.

Pollution is bad because animals have to live in the mess we create.

Overall, do you feel positively or negatively about the future for nature?

Positively. There are so many more people becoming educated about the environment and eventually the government’s going to have to do something about it. Since they’re already talking now, hopefully something will be done in the future.

Overall, I probably feel a bit negative about the future of nature because it will probably be very polluted at some stage and there will be a lot fewer trees.

Positively. With places such as Zealandia, more people know about looking after nature.

| Forest & Bird

ALL KIWIS SHOULD BE KIWISAVERS Vote for Nature when you vote votefornature.org.nz Authorised by Mike Britton, Forest & Bird, Level 1, 90 Ghuznee St, Wellington

THIS IS A GLASS OF WATER FROM A NEW ZEALAND WATERWAY

Would you drink it?

Chances are, you wouldn’t. We all know the devastating effects of development over the past 20 years on New Zealand’s freshwater. In fact 96% of 1000 New Zealand lowland streams had pathogen levels too high to safely swim in*, let alone drink from. Forest & Bird is working in our courts and political and planning forums to restore and protect our precious freshwater and everything that lives in and around it.

Help give nature a voice by joining Forest & Bird. Find out more at freshwaterforlife.org.nz

Water pictured above from the spring-fed tributary of Parkvale Stream, Wairarapa. *New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 2004.

Mokohinau Islands Lighthouse on Burgess Island overlooks flowering pöhutukawa. Photo: Shelley Heiss-Dunlop

A bare-looking island in the Hauraki Gulf has been a lifesaver for New Zealand seabirds. By Karen Baird.

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erching on a rocky outcrop on the edge of the Hauraki Gulf in a bitterly cold wind doesn’t sound like much fun. But add a spectacular sunset and one of nature’s most beautiful sights – hundreds of tiny white-faced storm petrels fluttering in to their breeding grounds on the northern headland of Burgess Island – and for a seabird enthusiast like me it is definitely worthwhile.

Burgess Island and the rest of the Hauraki Gulf’s Mokohinau Islands are in the spotlight because of another tiny seabird – the New Zealand storm petrel. Until eight years ago, it was thought to be extinct and was known from three specimens collected in the 1800s. In 2003 the species was rediscovered flying at sea. Where it breeds is still a mystery.

During searches for the New Zealand storm petrel’s breeding sites, researchers were surprised at how important Burgess (Pokohinu) and the other islands have become for seabirds. This is especially so for smaller, more vulnerable species including diving petrels, little shearwaters and white-faced storm petrels.

Burgess Island looks like a scrap of neglected farmland.

It’s great cliffs and steep bays hint at something special, and it turns out to have one of the most diverse gatherings of seabirds anywhere in New Zealand. Burgess and the other Mokohinau Islands are in the far outer Hauraki Gulf between the northernmost tip of Great Barrier Island, the

Hen and Chickens and the Poor Knights Islands. They face the open sea and, given the isolation, recreational fishing pressure is low. Birds breeding there have rich feeding grounds nearby.

The 55-hectare Burgess Island (Pokohinu) – the second largest of the Mokohinau group – was inhabited first by Mäori, seasonally for mutton-birding and fishing.

Lighthouse keepers and their families lived here from 1883 to 1980, except during World War II. Kiore arrived, followed by farm animals, and goats ran wild.

Seabird research, in the Päkehä sense, began on the islands with Andreas Fremming Steward Sandager. From Denmark, he became the assistant lighthouse keeper when the lighthouse was commissioned. His bird observations, which he presented at the Auckland Museum in 1889, are among the first accounts describing New Zealand seabirds, and are still referred to today.

Scientists visited the islands frequently during the 20th century. New Zealand naturalist Charles Fleming wrote about the islands’ geology and birdlife after a World War II trip. British botanist Mary Gillham made a detailed botanical survey, and meticulously noted seabirds and their burrows. Teams from the New Zealand Wildlife Service crawled over every rock looking for lizards and invertebrates, and recorded seabirds. In the 1980s, budding Forest & Bird

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scientists from the University of Auckland Field Club cut their teeth on surveys studying the birdlife, plants, geology and marine environment.

The picture these studies drew was that only larger seabird species such as grey-faced petrels and gulls can survive on islands where rats, goats and other livestock are present. Smaller seabirds such as diving petrels, storm petrels and smaller shearwaters survive only on a handful of neighbouring rat-free stacks and small islands. It is likely they would have tried to breed on the larger islands, only to be eaten by rats.

All that changed in 1990, when DOC carried out aerial poison drops on Burgess Island.

Early signs

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were fairly positive but the resounding success of this eradication programme (which continues today on other islands) would not become evident until later.

In 2009, with funding from then Auckland Regional Council, the research focus shifted to the way islands evolve after pests are removed. Burgess Island, like the other islands in the group, is a marvellous laboratory to study these changes. Teams led by Chris Gaskin and Shelley Heiss-Dunlop established transects and plots on the island, which can be resurveyed at intervals. Soil depth, vegetation composition and height, and burrow density are being recorded. The island’s plant life is greatly depleted after burning, grazing, the introduction of pasture plants and the effects of kiore in a harsh physical environment. Today, 30 years since livestock were removed and 20 years since kiore were eradicated, the island is still recovering.

Protecting seabird breeding sites from predators is well understood. Less obvious are the impacts on seabirds where they feed – at sea, where they spend most of their lives. In October last year, a group of concerned biologists – Matt Rayner, Graeme Taylor, Steffi Ismar and Chris Gaskin – began an ambitious collaborative research project, the Hauraki Gulf Seabird Spatial Ecology project. Funded through the Auckland Council and DOC, with support from NIWA, the University of Auckland and Forest & Bird, it uses recent advances in tracking technology and isotopic and molecular analysis. The team aims to track seasonal movements of some seabird species and correlate this with habitat to describe their distribution in the Hauraki Gulf, northern New Zealand waters and elsewhere. Details about foraging behaviour and diet will help researchers create a multispecies model to identify productive marine hotspots and links between seabirds and the wider food chain.

Data loggers have been fitted to black-winged petrels, which have recently been discovered breeding on Burgess 3

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Island. A team will return to Burgess to fit loggers to greyfaced petrels, little and fluttering shearwaters, and diving petrels, collect more ecological data and help Masters student Megan Young begin her study of the breeding biology of white-faced storm petrels. This work relates to other studies being conducted elsewhere in the Hauraki Gulf. Todd Dennis and Matt Rayner (University of Auckland), and Todd Landers (Auckland Council) have started a project tracking gannets at a colony on Mahuki Island, near Great Barrier Island; Graeme Taylor and Matt Rayner are working with Buller’s shearwaters and fairy prions on the Poor Knights; and Biz Bell continues her incredibly valuable long-term project with black petrels on Great Barrier Island.

This research is complementing tracking studies elsewhere in New Zealand. These projects will vastly increase our knowledge of life at sea for these remarkable creatures.

On Burgess Island, Chris Gaskin is doing more research using remote recorders to collect seabird calls at night.

It’s a low-cost, low-impact way of doing surveys – and overcomes the need for people like me to spend icy evenings perched on island outcrops.

Karen Baird is Forest & Bird’s Kermadec and BirdLife International Global Seabird Programme Advocate.

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Seabird körero

In August Ngäti Rehua hosted a hui for seabird researchers, DOC staff and locals at the Motairehe marae at Catherine Bay, Aotea/Great Barrier Island.

Each of the seven researchers gave presentations about their seabird projects in the region. Ngäti Rehua kaumätua shared stories about mutton-birding trips to the islands. Opportunities were discussed, including gathering baseline information for islands under Ngäti Rehua management and recording traditional knowledge about the islands and the seabirds. It is planned to make the hui an annual event.

2 A black-winged petrel fitted with a data logger. Photo: Karen Baird 3 Chris Gaskin above the chasm that almost cuts the island in half. A little blue penguin burrow is close to where he’s standing, 60 metres above sea level. Photo: Adrian Lambrechts 4 A white-faced storm petrel flies to its burrow on Burgess Island. Photo: Adrien Lambrechts 5 Ian Southey, Karen Baird and Graeme Taylor search for seabird burrows.

Photo: Steffi Ismar 6 From left, researchers Adrien Lambrechts, Chris Gaskin, Steffi Ismar, Kate Beer, Karen Baird and Derek Bettesworth on Burgess Island. Photo: Adrian Lambrechts

•

BURGESS ISLAND GREAT BARRIER ISLAND

HAURAKI GULF

AUCKLAND

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going places

Darwin’s islands Sue Maturin does her bit to help one of the finch species that inspired Darwin’s theory of evolution.

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scorted by frigatebirds, with pelicans flying low over us and turtles gracefully sinking from view, we carefully chugged up a shallow mangrove channel to our campsite at Poza de los Tiburones, or lava land as we later fondly referred to it. “This is where we will camp,” Franny said, gesticulating towards the harsh, sharp, black, craggy lava landscape. “And it gets flooded at high tides,” she added.

My partner Graeme and I were on Isabela Island in the Galapagos Islands to help Francesca Cunninghame (Franny), her field assistant local Galapageuan Segundo Gaona and Ecuadorean volunteer David Anchundia find seven of nine mangrove finches that had been translocated five months earlier from their 2 mangrove patch at Playa Tortuga Negra, 25 kilometres up the coast.

Mangrove finches are in danger of extinction because of introduced ship rats (Rattus rattus), which eat eggs and chicks, and the introduced bot fly (Philornis downsi). Bot flies are gruesome. They lay their eggs inside the nostrils of newly hatched chicks. Once hatched, the larvae live

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in the bottom of the nest. Each night, the blood-sucking larvae crawl up to feed on the chicks and adult females, often resulting in the death of the chicks by anaemia.

Scientists working on the bot fly hope to isolate a pheromone that can be used in traps. Even though rats are controlled, the finch population is not increasing. Cats also roam the area, and irregular 1080 fish baiting seems to have little impact.

This tiny, and possibly ageing, finch population is also vulnerable to disease, infertility, climate change and volcanism.

Franny arrived in the Galapagos from Dunedin in November 2009. Fluent in Spanish and with plenty of rare bird experience in New Zealand and in South America, she had 5½ months to plan and carry out the world’s first translocation of mangrove finches.

Logistics were difficult. Isabela Island is five hours by speed boat from home base at Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz, and the translocation site at lava land is 25km by boat from the source population, and is only accessible at high tide.

No one had ever held mangrove finches captive.

What do you feed them when it is not possible, for quarantine reasons, to take any live invertebrates such as the traditional meal worms on to the island? Special translocation boxes had to be built and designed to keep birds comfortable in temperatures greater than 30 degrees Celsius a ­ nd meet stringent quarantine standards.

Despite the difficulties, nine mangrove finches were

1

successfully moved to their new home at Poza de los Tiburones by a team of people from the Charles Darwin Research Station, Galapagos National Park and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. The birds were released with tiny transmitters glued to their backs. Within the first two weeks, one juvenile flew home, crossing 20km of bare lava, and was found begging from its parent.

Seven months later, on the first morning of our second field 3 trip to find the translocated mangrove finches, Franny found one. Our elation was short-lived as the next day we found him in a small patch of mangroves some 3km away, and the next morning he was back again near our camp. He seemed to be racing around singing loudly looking for a mate. He must not have got lucky because a month later we found him back at Playa Negra, singing loudly in his old territory.

Franny and her team proved that it is possible to hold and shift mangrove finches, but it is more difficult to get the combination of age, sex and timing right. So what next to boost this tiny vulnerable population? The nests are at the end of spindly branches, in the tops of 15-20 metre mangrove trees. Climbing them to collect eggs or chicks for off-site rearing at first looked impossible. Graeme and Franny were determined to find a way and eventually Franny was able to climb and see into an active nest for the first time.

The dream is to increase the population and reestablish them in their original habitats, including the RAMSAR mangrove site alongside the township of Villamil on Isabela Island. Holding this back is the global recession, reduced funding and a lack of permanent staff. Despite the Galapagos being one of the world’s conservation icons and attracting more than 160,000 tourists a year, there is surprisingly little funding or commitment for sustained conservation management of the many threatened species, other than the famed giant tortoises, land iguanas and the important large-scale goat and rat eradication programmes.

For two Kiwi volunteers, the trip was a great way to make a modest contribution to Galapagos conservation and to give something back to a place that’s a natural history inspiration.

Watch Mangrove Finches Fight On at www.youtube.com/user/forestandbird 1 Looking down on Playa Tortuga Negra, the main habitat for the last 100 mangrove finches. Photo: Sue Maturin 2 Mangrove finches (Camarchynchus heliobates) are the rarest and most threatened of the 13 species of Darwin’s finches. They number fewer than 100 and are almost completely confined to two small (18ha and 10ha) patches of mangroves on the west coast of Isabela Island. Photo: Michael Dvorak 3 Sue Maturin making video about mangrove finches. Graeme Loh 4 Kiwi Francesca Cunninghame holding a newly banded mangrove finch.

Photo: Sue Maturin

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GALAPAGOS ISLANDS •

• ECUADOR

• CHILE

Getting there Where: Galapagos Islands are 1000km off the coast of Ecuador. We flew to Auckland, Santiago (Chile), Guayaquil (Ecuador), Galapagos.

Tours:

Most wildlife can be seen close to three urban areas, on Isabela, Santa Cruz and San Cristobal Islands, by travelling on small public transport speed boats. Small and large tour boats/ships visit many islands, and can be booked on last-minute deals once there.

What’s there The Galapagos Islands are famous for their endemic and odd wildlife, bizarre volcanic crater landforms and their inspirational role in the development of Charles Darwin’s evolutionary theory.

The Galapagos Islands became a national park in 1959. Four of the 15 main islands are home for more than 20,000 people, mostly working in tourism and fishing. The surrounding seas, with their mix of temperate seaweeds and tropical corals and fish, are the world’s second-largest marine reserve. The national park and marine reserve are a World Heritage Site.

Most of the uninhabited islands are only accessible by tour boats, but wildlife abounds in or close to the urban areas. Marine iguanas cross the main street and Galapagos sea lions roar all night on the beaches in the middle of town.

You don’t need to go out of town to see many endemic animals, such as giant tortoises, blue-footed boobies, Galapagos mocking birds and most of Darwin’s finches.

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community

conservation

Rugby and nature on the same team

T

he Rugby World Cup created a play-on advantage for conservation when 17 “Living Legends” of the game scrummed down with Forest & Bird branches, rugby clubs, other community organisations and volunteers to plant 85,000 native trees.

The Living Legends programme will continue long after the World Cup teams have gone home, with planned future plantings leading to a total of 170,000 native trees in the ground by 2015.

Ashburton branch members were among about 250 people, ranging from one to 85 years, who helped plant 2800 känuka and other native plants at Harris Scientific Reserve near Ashburton on September 4.

Branch members played a leading role in preparing the ground for the planting on land next to the four hectare reserve outside Ashburton. The new plantings will add to an original stand of känuka, which, thanks to the foresight of farmer Arthur Harris, was saved from being converted into pasture when the area was fully developed in the 1960s.

The Living Legend, former All Black and MidCanterbury stalwart Jock Ross, and his family took part along with other rugby players, community organisations and the public. Another hectare at the reserve is due to

be planted next year in the second stage of the Living Legends programme.

The Mid-Canterbury planting was one of 17 events nationwide in September and October.

Each Living Legends event is headed by a local rugby hero, selected by their provincial rugby union as someone who has made a significant contribution to rugby in New Zealand.

Gordon Hosking, who has more than 30 years’ experience working with native species at the Forest Research Institute, helped the project choose suitable plants for each site. He said a nationwide planting on such a big scale was important because trees have a major role in moderating our climate, improving air quality and stopping erosion.

Living Legends is a joint venture between environmental charity Project Crimson and The Tindall Foundation.

Meridian Energy and the Department of Conservation are the major sponsors. n David Brooks

2 1 Volunteers at Harris Scientific Reserve near Ashburton at their Living Legends planting.

2 Former All Black Bryan Williams and his wife at the Living Legends planting day on Motuihe Island in the Hauraki Gulf.

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Climate change festival

Marching against mines

A climate change festival focusing on Southland lignite mining will be held in late January. The Keep the Coal in the Hole Summer Festival is in Mataura from January 20-24, on the farm of lignite opponent Mike Dumbar. Solid Energy is building a briquette plant to use low-energy lignite, or brown coal, from its Southland mine.

Coal Action Network is organising the festival. For more information, see http://coalactionnetworkaotearoa. wordpress.com/

Golden Bay and Southland Forest & Bird members joined G-Force (for grandparents) marches on September 24. The marches were to raise awareness about climate change and protest about lignite mining in Southland and the plan for an open-cast coal mine on Denniston Plateau.

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Student advocate for nature F

orest & Bird’s Manawatü branch has awarded its Massey University scholarship to veterinary student Amy Churchouse as part of its efforts to attract more young people to Forest & Bird.

Amy is the second winner of the $1500 scholarship, which offers financial help to a Massey student in Palmerston North. In return, the recipient works on promoting Forest & Bird at the university. Amy was one of 17 applicants seeking to follow the initial recipient Maddie Jardine.

“The applicants were generally of a very high standard and we had a very difficult job to choose the winner from the three on the shortlist,” Manawatü branch committee member Dennis Dickinson said.

“Amy has a very keen interest in wildlife and nature and she relates very well to people. Being a bit older than many students, we thought she would be able to communicate well with both the students and the staff at Massey,” he said. Amy is 33 and in her second stint at university, after studying and working in sports science. She changed course to follow a strong interest in wildlife, which led to her working at Auckland Zoo for three years.

She is now in her second year of a five-year veterinary course. “When I heard about the scholarship, I thought it would be a good opportunity to get more involved in conservation and to get others at Massey more involved,” Amy said. “I’d like to get a flow of people and information between Forest & Bird and the university and to get students and other people from the university involved in Forest & Bird activities like walks and plantings.”

Win a DVD Forest & Bird is giving away five copies of Wild Coasts with Craig Potton – the DVD of this year’s TV series about New Zealand’s fascinating and varied coastline.

To enter the draw, email your entry to draw@ forestandbird.org.nz Please put Wild Coasts in the subject line and include your name and address in the email.

Or put your name and address on the back of an envelope and post to Wild Coasts draw, Forest & Bird, PO Box 631, Wellington 6140. Entries close on December 5.

YOU CAN’T CUT DOWN A FAMILY TREE LEAVE A GIFT IN YOUR WILL THAT WILL LAST FOREVER

A gift in your will can help make sure our native trees will be here for generations. Help us continue the work of protecting and nurturing all our indigenous animals and plants for many years to come.

Bequests can be made to “Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand Incorporated”.

For a copy of our bequest brochure or to discuss leaving a gift in your will, please contact fundraiser Jolene Molloy.

• 0800 200 064 • j.molloy@forestandbird.org.nz • PO Box 631, Wellington, 6140 • www.forestandbird.org.nz

Help give nature a voice. Help Forest & Bird

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New Zealand’s Native Trees

By John Dawson and Rob Lucas Craig Potton Publishing, $120 (standard edition) or $180 (deluxe limited) Reviewed by Kevin Hackwell When J T Salmon published The Native Trees of New Zealand in 1980, it instantly became a best seller that has been republished many times. No longer did we have to rely on books with line drawings of the leaves to identify New Zealand trees. Salmon’s work was a comprehensive reference book with good colour photos of the trees and the features that could be used for their identification and it was a substantial and sumptuous coffee table book.

It has been 30 years between banquets but it has been worth the wait. New Zealand’s Native Trees by author-photographer team John Dawson and Rob Lucas is a stunning new book that is a very worthy successor to Salmon’s earlier work.

New Zealand’s Native Trees is a bigger book in all respects.

At 576 pages, it is nearly twice the size of its predecessor.

It covers in detail not only the taxonomy and the botanical features that can be used to identify more than 250 trees (30 more than Salmon), it also gives information about their distribution, along with their habitat, ecology and key relationships with other plants and animals.

The attention to detail is also evident in the comprehensive introductions to different sections of the book and the presence throughout of informative break-out features on topics such as why so many of our trees have distinctive juvenile forms, what is behind cabbage tree decline and why rimu is so important to the survival of käkäpö.

Craig Potton Publishing has again done a superb job of production.

Whether you use this book as a reference to identify that tree you are not sure about or just to dip in and out of to feed your enthusiasm for our wonderful trees, you will agree that Dawson and Lucas have done a great job at setting a new standard.

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The Weed Control Handbook: How to identify and manage invasive plants in New Zealand

By Weedbusters New Zealand New Holland, $29.99 Reviewed by Ann Graeme It’s a weed to you but it may be a pretty flower to your neighbours. This is a book to share with those neighbours. It will raise their awareness of the weedy plants in their gardens – plants that are likely to spread into natural areas.

Most weeds were once considered garden plants – and many still are. Yet rampant honeysuckle can smother forest trees, arum lilies can take over wetlands and the pretty ground cover called aluminium plant can blanket the forest floor and suppress native seedlings. This book will encourage neighbours to understand the problems, remove the weed sources in their gardens and even help in controlling weeds in their neighbourhood reserve.

It gets straight to the point. Each page features a weed species, clearly photographed and crisply explained under the headings: Know it, Understand it, Control it and Replace it.

It gives concise instruction on the use of herbicides. It makes no bones about the difficulty of controlling stubborn weeds and the need to follow up treatment to prevent regrowth. And under Replace it are suggestions for suitable plants to fill the bare ground before new weeds invade.

From personal experience, I know weed control requires perseverance and patience. Never replant before the enemy is quite dead, and use mulch – it’s a friend indeed, suppressing weed seedlings and nurturing your replacement plants.

The Weed Control Handbook is a practical book, the fruit of experience from the Weedbuster teams. It will be useful to people new to gardening and to conservation, and even old hands will find surprises and insights in its pages.

Making our Place: Exploring land-use tensions in Aotearoa New Zealand Edited by Jacinta Ruru, Janet Stephenson and Mick Abbott Otago University Press, $45 Reviewed by Claire Browning What New Zealanders are most passionate about is not rugby but our land. Making Our Place is a collection of stories about that land, and the people who have shaped it, lived on it and fought over it.

It considers our history of transforming landscapes and the tensions that result; how such tensions have been and might in future be resolved; and whether land use changes such as coastal development, energy infrastructure and intensive farming can be reconciled with the New Zealand we hold in our hearts.

Some of the examples will be familiar: the Mackenzie, Project Hayes. Others come from unexpected angles but the themes are the same. A piece on returning the “h” to Whanganui says that place names, too, are a kind of human footprint on the land – about power and control. High country and coastal chapters are also about who owns land and how.

Further south, under economic pressures for intensive dairy and clean energy, both the Mackenzie and the Lammermoor have suffered from poor decision-making. Project Hayes saw a “green on green” debate between landscape and renewable energy demands. No less significantly, it was a debate about spiritual and iconic landscape values, which is true of the Mackenzie too, but for which the legislation does not cater: “Landscape exists in the eyes and hearts and minds of people.

These people can be local or distant; they may have been in the landscape once or a thousand times…” It is our very love of the coast that most challenges its natural character. We want to live there and use it; we build coastal homes.

Presented in digestible chunks, each chapter is a primer for those new to the issues. Together, their message is about “high levels of conflict and poor results” all over this land of ours, and the need for an evolution to more sophisticated resource management processes and structures to deal with competing claims.

Volcanoes of Auckland: The Essential Guide

By Bruce W Hayward, Graeme Murdoch and Gordon Maitland Auckland University Press, $59.99 Reviewed by Mark Bellingham Volcanoes of Auckland covers one of our newest and fastestdisappearing natural landscapes, and is a tribute to the work of naturalist and geologist Bruce Hayward, historians Graeme Murdoch and Gordon Maitland, and the splendid aerial photography of Alistair Jamieson.

Conservationists today are drawn to Auckland’s oldest and youngest volcanoes, Waitäkere and Rangitoto, because they are still covered in native forests. Only two small forest remnants are found on the other 40 volcanoes. Yet the rich volcanic soils supported a diverse forest ecosystem and abundant wildlife – quite different from today!

Murdoch’s accounts of Mäori and Europeans modifying the vegetation cover of the volcanoes (and the cones) attest to the rich forests that remained until quite recently and the flocks of käkä that inhabited these forests.

The campaign for protecting Auckland’s volcanic landscape started with Governor Grey in the 1850s. Many areas subsequently became parks, and protective legislation was passed in 1915. Yet it was 90 years later before the Auckland Volcanic Cones Society enforced the legislation, stopping Transit NZ (now the NZ Transport Agency) from destroying

more of Puketapu (Mt Roskill Domain) and paving the way for the World Heritage case for the Auckland volcanic cones.

The seven iwi of the isthmus and Auckland Council will now manage them to protect this integral part of the Tämaki Makaurau landscape.

With this essential guide in your Christmas stocking, you can go out and (re)discover Auckland’s volcanoes, including those now frozen in time under housing on industrial estates.

New Zealand Bird Calls

By Lynnette Moon, Geoff Moon, John Kendrick and Karen Baird New Holland, $29.99 (book and CD also for sale at Forest & Bird’s shop at www.forestandbird.org.nz) Reviewed by Marina Skinner This is the book/CD I’ve been looking for – 60 New Zealand birds in words, photos and in song. Now I can put the silvereye’s name to the contented chirruping in my garden. And I’ve confirmed the baffling three-toned call in my neighbourhood comes from an eastern rosella. A colleague had tried to convince me that these Aussie immigrants belt out this simple melody but (sorry, Aalbert) I didn’t believe him. There it is, loud and clear, on the CD that comes with the book. I’d long suspected that the screeching I often hear on evening walks belonged to a morepork having a break from its signature call.

Now I know for sure.

The calls were recorded by energetic sound recordist John Kendrick, who was in 2009 awarded a Forest & Bird Old Blue for his decades of conservation work. Forest & Bird conservation advocate and bird expert Karen Baird edited the calls.

Actor George Henare, in his classiest BBC tones, introduces each roughly minute-long call on the CD, explaining when more than one call is played – by male and female birds, chicks and sometimes flocks of a particular bird.

The accompanying book, written by Lynnette Moon, has brief descriptions of the 60 birds, what they eat and where they nest. Photographs by the late and legendary photographer Geoff Moon complete each profile.

The book and CD include native and non-native birds, from a species as rare as the käkäpö to the two-a-penny starling.

If only I’d had New Zealand Bird Calls before a trip to Kapiti Island a few months ago. I would have swotted up before the trip, and ditched a lot of the bluff and guesswork in identifying bird calls there.

I’m now waiting for the bird call phone app from the erudite producers of this book and CD.

4

1 Dangling flowers on a kanono (Coprosma grandifolia).

2 Leafless broom makaka (Carmichaelia australis) in flower.

3 The stinging hairs on a tree nettle, or ongaonga (Urtica ferox) leaf.

Photos: Rob Lucas 4 The morepork, or ruru, has more calls than its best-known one.

Photo: Geoff Moon

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Whale Watching in Australian and New Zealand Waters 3rd edition

By Peter Gill and Cecilia Burke New Holland, $39.99 Reviewed by Karen Baird Main author Peter Gill has great credentials as a whale researcher and tour guide, and has helped produce this handy basic guide to whales and dolphins, with some lovely photos peppered throughout.

The first section introduces whales and dolphins (cetaceans) and their biology, ecology and behaviour. It also covers our whaling history and conservation issues today. The list is long. Gill suggests joining groups that actively campaign for cetacean conservation and has a resource list in the back.

Sadly, Forest & Bird isn’t included in this list. Perhaps we can suggest it for a 4th edition?

The identification section is nicely set out with a species per page and a handy map showing the coastal distribution in New Zealand and Australia, though not the worldwide distribution.

The diagram of the “blow” and the dorsal fin are a handy identification feature, and the illustrations are excellent. One feature sometimes used in other field guides and that could have been useful is an identification chart with all species on a single page as a quick reference. Another useful aspect could have been a guide on the species page to where it can most often be seen.

The last section, about watching whales, describes each location and the species that can be seen there. There is a heavy emphasis on Australia, and New Zealand gets a very short section at the back, which is not well researched.

Auckland – one of the best places to see a variety of cetaceans, especially Bryde’s whales – doesn’t even get a mention. This is a significant omission. Errors are found in the section about Porpoise Bay, which is in the Catlins, not in Te Waewae Bay. Porpoise Bay is also next to Curio Bay, which is not on Stewart Island! It appears that our authors may not have bothered to visit New Zealand, which is a great shame. The book would have benefited from a more comprehensive and accurate New Zealand section.

Holiday reads Collins Field Guide to New Zealand Wildlife by Terence Lindsey and Rod Morris (HarperCollins, $44.99) On summer travels, with this field guide in your car or in your pack, you should be able to identify any mystery wildlife you find. New Zealand’s creatures great and small, native or introduced, feathered or finned, on land and in the water are here. The 400 animals are described in photos and easily understood words, and most get a page each.

Birds of New Zealand by Julian Fitter and Don Merton (HarperCollins, $44.99) If you’re on the lookout for birds, this compact traveller’s guide will put you right on 350 species – native and non-native – found in New Zealand. The identification detail is for the more dedicated or expert birdwatcher.

New Zealand: The essential landscape by Rob Brown (Craig Potton Publishing, $49.99 and $19.99) Rob Brown has seen and photographed much of New Zealand’s front and back country. In this coffee-table hardback, he presents some of his most glorious landscapes captured during 18 years in the great outdoors. The large format sets them off magnificently. In standard hardback and pocket hardback versions.

National Parks of New Zealand, photography by Rob Suisted, text by Alison Dench (New Holland, $19.99) Inspiration for holiday destinations is on every page of Rob Suisted’s divine photographs of our 14 precious national parks.

This little gem could be the best way to entice Kiwi expats home.

Birds of New Zealand, photography by Rob Suisted, text by Alison Dench (New Holland, $19.99) Rob Suisted is as talented at capturing New Zealand’s birds as he is at celebrating our landscapes. A pictorial stocking filler for the bird lover of any age.

are proud to sponsor the fantastic work of the NZ Forest & Bird Society 64

| Forest & Bird

A special offer for Forest & Bird readers Wild Encounters

STEADY AS A ROCK

with a GorillaPod tripod from Camera & Camera. www.camera-camera.com

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Our popular Going Places articles and other nature-themed travel stories from Forest & Bird magazine have been collected together in a handy book edition, Wild Encounters, published by Penguin.

From the rocky shore to dense rainforests, from braided riverbeds to alpine meadows, Wild Encounters is a handy guide to the best place to experience New Zealand’s wildlife and wild places.

Wild Encounters retails for $40, but Forest & Bird readers can purchase this book for just $35, including post and packaging, with $10 from each copy ordered going towards Forest & Bird’s important conservation work.

That means you will receive this beautifully illustrated guide and get to help nature in New Zealand.

Please send a cheque for $35, or provide your credit card details in the form below and send to: Wild Encounters Forest & Bird PO Box 631 Wellington

Please send me my copy of Wild Encounters for a total price of $35 (price includes post and packaging and my $10 contribution to help Forest & Bird’s conservation projects).

Your details Name Postal address

Be nature-inspired on Kāpiti Island Daytime phone contact Wake to a dawn chorus of protected native birds and be part of New Zealand’s conservation story

Payment Options

bookings@kapitiislandnaturetours.co.nz www.kapitiislandnaturetours.co.nz Mob: 021 126 7525, Tel: 06 362 6606

Please charge my credit card (fill out your details below) Visa

Advertise to Forest & Bird readers here Please contact

Vanessa Clegg PHONE 0275 420 337 EMAIL vanclegg@xtra.co.nz Karen Condon PHONE 0275 420 338 EMAIL mack.cons@xtra.co.nz

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Diners

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Walk the West of Ireland

Striking photos of native birds A4, high quality, limited edition.

“immerse yourself in the landscape, culture, cuisine & character of Ireland

Fully escorted small group walking tours June and July 2011 Rachel Ryan 03 545 1071

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South America Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust 03 329 6341 • enquiries@bpct.org.nz www.bpct.org.nz

Bush & Beyond Guided Walks

The Original Kahurangi Guides From Comfortable Lodge stay to Off track wilderness backpacking.

Including: Heaphy and Cobb Valley and much more!

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Peru Galapagos Adventure 24 days of Wildlife, Inca ruins and stunning scenery Departs May 25th 2012

Banks Peninsula Track, Akaroa

Small Groups + Independent travellers CALL NOW FOR FREE 2012 BROCHURE Latin Link Adventure The South American Specialists 0800 528 465 / info@latinlink.co.nz

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BIORESEARCHES

CONSULTING BIOLOGISTS AND ARCHAEOLOGISTS

Pohatu Penguins & Marine Reserve Banks Peninsula Scenic nature tours with local volunteers conserving Banks Peninsula’s biodiversity.

• Coastal Retreat • Sea Kayaking www.pohatu.co.nz email: tours@pohatu.co.nz phone: 03 304 8600

White Heron Sanctuary Tours

Come with us, RAINFOREST, NATURE and JETBOATING TOURS, all year round. Viewing of nesting colony from September to March. Ph. 0800 52 34 56

When you walk during October, November or December there is a wonderful opportunity to observe the activity of the largest mainland colony of little blue penguins. The interpretive talk is one of the highlights of your experience at Pohatu, Flea Bay. Further along the coast you can see the new predator proof fence around the last sooty shearwater colony on the Canterbury mainland.

www.whiteherontours.co.nz

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An online gallery of original and reproduction antique maps and prints, featuring scenes of NZ, birds and botanical prints, perfect as Christmas gifts.

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OKARITO COTTAGE Well appointed cottage. Sleeps 3 but room for more in the attic.

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Further enquiries contact Jane Scott 07-873-7838, 021-260-3420 or email: ElspethScott@xtra.co.nz

Special Forest & Bird reader price $8 plus $3 p&p from www. accessiblewalks.co.nz or anna-j@ihug.co.nz

Tramp Lake Waikaremoana with your Kids!

Piggy Back Special – Kids are FREE on certain trips during school holidays. See our website or request info pack:

HIGH PLACES mountain travel www.highplaces.co.nz 0800 305 306

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66

| Forest & Bird

Vanessa Clegg Or PHONE 0275 420 337 EMAIL vanclegg@xtra.co.nz

Karen Condon PHONE 0275 420 338 EMAIL mack.cons@xtra.co.nz

Parting shot Linda Laing, of Waiau in North Canterbury, captured these silvereyes tucking into a snow-topped apple during the bitter cold snap in mid-August. She used an EOS Canon 40D camera with a Sigma zoom lens.

“I was brought up in the UK, where we always fed the birds in the winter, and I have been doing so, wherever I am, ever since. My husband and I moved to North Canterbury 18 months ago after 20-plus years overseas.

Setting up a feeding station in the garden was a priority. I provide red sugar-water (the birds prefer red), seed, a feed ball and this year for the first time an apple.

“We normally have finches, blackbirds, dunnocks, starlings, sparrows and our only regular natives, the silvereyes. The snowy weather was so bad that the garden became a haven for all the local birds and the regulars were joined by redpolls and yellowhammers. As a photographer, this was an unexpected bonus and gave me the opportunity to capture some of the shyer visitors.”

If you have a stunning photo that showcases New Zealand’s special native plants or animals, it could be the next Parting Shot. Each published Parting Shot photo will receive a GorillaPod and ballhead worth $209 from Camera & Camera.

The GorillaPod SLR Zoom is a portable, packable heavy-duty tripod that keeps your camera equipment steady, no matter where you might be. It has flexible, wrappable legs that attach to your camera then wrap around virtually any surface.

Please send a low-res digital file and brief details about your photo to Marina Skinner at m.skinner@forestandbird.org.nz Winners will be asked for higher-resolution files.

Forest & Bird

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2011 index A

Ark in the Park, Feb 55, 62 Auckland regional parks Feb 60

B

Backyard conservation Feb 28, May 32, Aug 42, Nov 32 Baird, Karen May 30, Nov 41 Banded dotterel Feb 13 Barnacles Feb 27 Basket fungus Aug 30 Bats May 13 Beveridge, Nick May 32 Bindon, Chris, Nov 32 Biodiversity summit Feb 8 Bird survey May 14 BirdLife Community Conservation Fund Feb 14, Nov 13 Black-fronted dotterel Feb 13 Black robins May 26 Black stilt Feb 10 Broad-billed prions Nov 14 Browning, Claire Nov 38

Fenced sanctuaries May 47, Aug 58 Fenn, Anne Nov 39 Fiji Aug 64 Fiordland College Aug 45 Fiordland rock stack Nov 48 Firth of Thames Aug 38 Fleming, Al Nov 41 Forest & Bird Executive Aug 35 Freshwater Aug 15, Nov 18

G

Galapagos Islands Nov 58 Gaskin, Chris May 30 Geckos Nov 22 Genetic research, Feb 37 Gilbert, Kathy May 56 Golden Spade award Aug 34 Grace, Roger Feb 21 Green, Wren May 35 Groom, John Aug 33

H

Hackwell, Kevin Aug 16, 17 Haika, Puke Feb 21, Aug 37 Hauraki islands Nov 55 High country tenure review May 11 Höiho May 57

I

Important Bird Areas, Feb 39, Aug 64 Indonesia Nov 46 Insects May 16 Irrigation Feb 9

J C

Campbell Island May 51 Carter, Paul Aug 62 Chile storm petrel May 30 Chilvers, Louise Feb 43 Chris Todd May 15 Christchurch earthquakes May 15, Aug 25 Churchouse, Amy Nov Coal Aug 47, Nov 22 Conservation policy Aug 52 Codfish Island May 24 Coleman, Bruce Aug 27 Colgan, Karen Aug 31 Conning, Linda May 19

D

Dennis, Andy Aug 32 Denniston Plateau Aug 47, Nov 22 Department of Conservation Aug 13, Nov 5 Distinguished Life Member Aug 32 Dixon, Paul Nov 32

E

Election Aug 52, Nov 2, 5, 9 Empson, Raewyn May 47

F

Facebook Nov 39 Fairy prions Aug 60 Fairy tern Feb 8

68

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JS Watson Trust Feb 14 Jardine, Maddie Feb 63 Joy, Mike Aug 17, 19, 33

K

Mark, Sir Alan May 18, Aug 36 Martin, Debs Feb 33, May 13 Matuku Reserve May 58 Maud Island May 21 Mangatautari Ecological Island May 47 Meridian Energy Feb 34, 35 Merton, Don Feb 62, May 26 Milne, Alec Feb 26 Mimiwhangata Feb 20 Mining May 17, Aug 47, Nov 22 Miranda Aug 39 Mökihinui River Feb 33, May 10, Aug 10 Morton, John May 19 Moths May 54 Motutapu Island Feb 50, Nov 15

N

Nature travel Feb 60, Nov 46, 58 NZ storm petrel, Nov 13

O

Oil spill Nov 41 Old Blue Awards Aug 32

P

Pacific Aug 64, Nov 16 Paremoremo May 32 Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment Aug 5 Pest control Feb 52, May 17, 32, 35, 52, Aug 5, 58 Pestbusters Award, Aug 34 Pied stilt Feb 10, 13 Piripi, Houpeke Feb 21, 24 Potton, Craig May 18 Prion wreck Nov 14

R

Kaiköura Nov 11 käkä Nov 22 Käkäpö May 12, 24, 26 Käkäriki Nov 32 Kakï Feb 10 Kawakawa Feb 12 Kermadec Islands Nov 42 Kettles, Alex Aug 33 Kiwi Nov 16, 22 Knowles, Kirsty Feb 31, 44 Kokako Feb 26, 62

Rähui tapu Feb 21, 24 Rakaia River Feb 9 Rangitoto Island Feb 50, Nov 15 Rätä Nov 22 Rebergen, Aalbert Feb 13 Rengarenga Aug 63 Rivers Feb 13, 14 Robati, Rachelle Feb 59 Roil, Harriet May 43 Rudolf, Peter Feb 26 Ryder, Colin May 19

L

S

Lake Matiri May 13 Land and Water Forum Aug 16 Lane, Rueben Feb 52 Leeches Nov 48 Lettink, Marieke Nov 48 Living legends Nov 60

M

McDonald, Guy Feb 61 Mackenzie Country Feb 10, 11, 17, May 11, Aug 12 McLachlan, Derry May 32 McSweeney, Gerry May 18 Mana BioBlitz May 60 Marine conservation Feb 5, 20, 46, Nov 10, 11

Saddlebacks Nov 15 Sage, Eugenie Aug 32 St Clair, Dunedin Aug 60 Scelly, Rebecca Aug 37 Scofield, Paul May 47 Scott, Phil Feb 53 Sea lions Feb 43 Seabirds Feb 89, Aug 11, Nov 14 Seabird Bycatch Policy Aug 11 Silvereyes Nov 67 Skinks Nov 48 Smith, Robyn Aug 42 Snails Aug 46, Nov 22 Smuts-Kennedy, Chris May 48 Snow tussocks Nov 41

Soil Feb 56 Staniland, John Nov 32 Steeves, Tammy Feb 10 Sub-Antarctic Islands Feb 43, May 51 Subedar, Katrina Nov 38 Sustainability Feb 5, Nov 28

T

Takahë Nov 15 Tanner, Liz Nov 40 Te Hënui Walkway May 59 Te Rere Penguin Reserve May 57 Tuatara, Feb 37

V

Vallance, Nicola Nov 38 Vanuatu conservation May 15 Vegetable caterpillars May 53 Vote for nature Nov 2, 5, 9

W

Waipara, Nick Feb 12 Wairarapa Feb 13 Waituna Lagoon Nov 18 Waitutu Forest May 17 Waugh, Susan Feb 40, May 44 Wenham, Jon Aug 32 West Coast marine reserves Nov 10 Westland petrel May 44 Wëtä May 21 Wetlands May 58, Aug 9 Whenua Hou May 25 White Island Aug 50 Wilson, Eric Feb 55 Wilson, Rebecca Nov 48 Wrybill Feb 16

Y

Yellow-eyed penguins May 57

Z

Zealandia-Karori Sanctuary May 47

branch directory

Upper North Island Central Auckland Branch: Chairperson, Anne Fenn; Secretary, Isabel Still, Tel: (09) 528-3986.

CentralAuckland.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Far North Branch: Chairperson, Vacant; Secretary, Michael Winch, Tel: (09) 401-7401. FarNorth.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Franklin Branch: Chairperson, Keith Gardner; Secretary, Vacant, Tel: (09) 238-9928. Franklin.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Hauraki Islands Branch: Chairperson, Brian Griffiths; Secretary, Vacant, Tel: (09) 372-7662. HaurakiIslands.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Hibiscus Coast Branch: Chairperson, Pauline Smith; Secretary, Katie Lucas, Tel: (09) 427-5186. HibiscusCoast.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Kaipara Branch: Chairperson, Bill McNatty; Secretary, Vacant; Tel: (09) 411-8314. Kaipara.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Mercury Bay Branch: Chairperson, Eve McCarthy; Secretary, Gus MacasseyPickard, Tel: (07) 866-2463. MercuryBay.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Mid North Branch: Chairperson, Warwick Massey; Secretary, Raewyn Morrison, Tel: (09) 422-9123. MidNorth.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz North Shore Branch: Chairperson, Richard Hursthouse; Secretary, Jocelyn Sanders, Tel: (09) 479-2107. NorthShore.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Northern Branch: Chairperson, Vacant; Secretary, Beverly Woods, Tel: 022 092 0721. Northern.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz South Auckland Branch: Chairperson, John Oates; Secretary, Lee O’Leary, Tel: (09) 948-3867. SouthAuckland.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Thames-Hauraki Branch: Chairperson, Peter Wood; Secretary, Hazel Genner, Tel: (07) 868-9057. ThamesHauraki.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Upper Coromandel Branch: Chairperson, Tina Morgan; Secretary, Vacant, Tel. (07) 866-6720. UpperCoromandel.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Waitakere Branch: Chairperson, Robert Woolf; Secretary, Jan Edmonds, Tel: (09) 833-6241. Waitakere.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz

Central North Island Eastern Bay of Plenty Branch: Chairperson, Mark Fort; Secretary, Lesley Swindells, Tel: (07) 307-0846. EasternBayofPlenty.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Gisborne Branch: Chairperson, Grant Vincent; Secretary, Wendy McLean, Tel: (06) 868-8236. Gisborne.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Rotorua Branch: Chairperson, Chair rotates among committee members; Secretaries, Margaret Dick, Tel: (07) 357-2024 or Delight Gartlein Tel: (07) 357-2575. Rotorua.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz

Hastings-Havelock North Branch: Chairperson, Ian Noble; Secretary, Jennifer Hartley, Tel: (06) 870-3477.

HastingsHavelockNorth.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Horowhenua Branch: Chairperson, Debbie Waldin; Secretary, Belinda McLean, Tel: (06) 364-5573. Horowhenua.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Kapiti-Mana Branch: Chairperson, John McLachan; Secretary, Judy Driscoll, Tel: (04) 904-2049. KapitiMana.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Lower Hutt Branch: Chairperson, Russell Bell; Secretary, Vacant, Tel: (04) 380-6130. LowerHutt.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Manawatu Branch: Chairperson, Barbara Arnold; Secretary, Nina Mercer, Tel: (06) 355-0496. Manawatu.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Napier Branch: Chairperson, Neil Eagles; Secretary, Barbara McPherson, Tel: (06) 845-0425. Napier.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz North Taranaki Branch: Chairperson, Carolyn Brough; Secretary, Shirley Schofield, Tel: (06) 758-3680. NorthTaranaki.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Rangitikei Branch: Chairperson, Diana Stewart; Secretary, Dot Mattocks, Tel: (06) 327-8790. Rangitikei.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz South Taranaki Branch: Chairperson, Dave Digby; Secretary, Carol Digby, Tel: (06) 765 7482. SouthTaranaki.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Upper Hutt Branch: Chairperson, Barry Wards; Secretary, Fred Fowler, Tel: (04) 569-7187. UpperHutt.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Wairarapa Branch: Chairperson, Geoff Doring; Secretary, Peta Campbell, Tel: (06) 377 4882. Wairarapa.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Wanganui Branch: Chairperson, Esther Williams; Secretary, Ray Hutchison, Tel: (06) 345-2651. Wanganui.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Wellington Branch: Chairperson, Peter Hunt; Secretary, David Ellison, Tel: (04) 233-1010. Wellington.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz

South Island Ashburton Branch: Chairperson, Edith Smith; Secretary, Val Clemens, Tel: (03) 308-5620. Ashburton.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Central Otago-Lakes Branch: Chairperson, Mark Ayre; Secretary, Denise Bruns, Tel: (03) 443-5462. CentralOtagoLakes.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Dunedin Branch: Chairperson, Janet Ledingham; Secretary, Mark Hanger, Tel: (03) 489-3233. Dunedin.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Golden Bay Branch: Chairperson, Jenny Treloar; Secretary, Jo-Anne Vaughan, Tel: (03) 525-6031. GoldenBay.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Kaikoura Branch: Chairperson, Ailsa Howard; Secretary, Barry Dunnett, Tel: (03) 319-5086. Kaikoura.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz

South Waikato Branch: Chairperson, Anne Groos; Secretary, Jack Groos, Tel: (07) 886-7456. SouthWaikato.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz

Marlborough Branch: Chairperson, Andrew John; Secretary, Lynda Neame, Tel: (03) 578-2013. Marlborough.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz

Taupo Branch: Chairperson, Vacant; Secretary, Vacant, PO Box 1105, Taupo 3351.

Nelson-Tasman Branch: Chairperson, Craig Potton; Secretary, Gillian Pollock, Tel: (03) 526-6009. NelsonTasman.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz

Tauranga Branch: Chairperson, David Dowrick; Secretary, Pam Foster, Tel (07) 571-0974. Tauranga.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz

North Canterbury Branch: Chairperson, Lesley Shand, Secretaries, Denise Ford, Tel: (03) 981-3805 and Eleanor Bissell, Tel: (03) 337-1209.

NorthCanterbury.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz

Te Puke Branch: Chairperson Cathy Reid; Secretary, Bev Nairn, Tel: (07) 533-4247. TePuke.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Waihi Section: Chairperson, Ian Bradshaw; Secretary, Krishna Buckman, Tel: (07) 863-8455. Waihi.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Waikato Branch: Chairperson, Philip Hart; Secretary, Jim Macdiarmid, Tel: (07) 849-3438. Waikato.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz

Lower North Island Central Hawkes Bay Branch: Chairperson, Dan Elderkamp; Secretary, Barrie & Judith Bayliss, Tel: (06) 858-8765.

CentralHawkesBay.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz

lodge accommodation

Arethusa Cottage An ideal place from which to explore the Far North. Near Pukenui in wetland reserve. 6 bunks, fully equipped kitchen, separate bathroom outside. For information and bookings, contact: John Dawn, Doves Bay Road, RD1, Kerikeri.

Tel: (09) 407-8658. Email: johnfd@xnet.co.nz.

Tai Haruru Lodge, Piha, West Auckland A seaside haven set in a large sheltered garden on the rugged West Coast, 38km on sealed roads from central Auckland. Close to store, bush reserves and tracks in the beautiful Waitakere Ranges. Sleeps up to 6 in 1 dble brm, 1 brm and lounge, Lounge has wood burner, dining area and kitchen. Self-contained unit has 4 single beds. Bring food, linen and fuel for fire and BBQ. Off peak rates apply. Booking: Jean and Peter King, 10 La Trobe Track, Karekare, Waitakere City. Tel: (09) 812 8064. Email: hop0018@slingshot.co.nz

Waiheke Island Cottage Located next to our 49ha Wildlife Reserve, 10 mins walk to Onetangi Beach, general stores etc. Sleeps up to 8 in two bedrooms. Lounge, well-equipped kitchen, separate toilet, bathroom, shower, laundry. Pillows, blankets provided. No pets. Ferries 35 minutes from Auckland. Enquiries with stamped addressed envelope to: Robin Griffiths, 125 The Strand, Onetangi, Waiheke Island. Tel: (09) 372-7662.

South Canterbury Branch: Chairperson, Vacant; Secretary, Margaret McPherson, Tel: (03) 686-1494. SouthCanterbury.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz South Otago Branch: Chairperson, Roy Johnstone; Secretary, Jane Young, Tel: (03) 415-8532. SouthOtago.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz Southland Branch: Chairperson, Craig Carson; Secretary, Jenny Campbell, Tel: (03) 248-6398. Southland.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz West Coast Branch: Chairperson, Kathy Gilbert; Secretary, Jane Marshall, WestCoast.Branch@forestandbird.org.nz For branch postal addresses, please see www.forestandbird.org.nz

William Hartree Memorial Lodge, Hawke’s Bay Situated 48km from Napier, 8km past Patoka on the Puketitiri Rd (sealed). The lodge is set amid a 14ha scenic reserve and close to many walks, eg: Kaweka Range, Balls Clearing, hot springs and museum. The lodge accommodates up to 10 people. It has a fully equipped kitchen including stove, refrigerator and microwave plus tile fire, hot showers. Supply your own pillows, linen, sleeping bags etc. For information and bookings please send a stamped addressed envelope to Mike and Linda Hay, 172 Guppy Road, Taradale, Napier 4112. Tel: (06) 8444651.

Email: hayhouse@clear.net.nz.

Ruapehu lodge, Tongariro National Park The newly built lodge is 600 metres from Whakapapa Village. It sleeps 32 people – three bunkrooms sleep 4 each, one sleeps 6 and two upstairs sleeping areas sleep 14. Supply your own bedding and food. Bookings and inquiries to Forest & Bird, PO Box 631, Wellington. Tel: (04) 385-7374. Email: office@forestandbird.org.nz

Matiu/Somes Island, Wellington Harbour Joint venture accommodation by Lower Hutt Forest and Bird with DOC. A modern family home with kitchen, 3 bedrooms, large lounge and dining room, just 20 mins sailing by ferry

from the centre of Wellington or 10 mins from Days Bay. Ideal place to relax in beautiful surroundings, with accommodation for 8.

Bring your own food and bedding and a torch.

Smoking is banned everywhere on the island, including the house. Forest & Bird members get a 25% discount. For more information, visit www. doc.govt.nz and for bookings, contact the DOC Wellington Visitors Centre at wellingtonvc@doc. govt.nz, ph (04) 384-7770 or mail to PO Box 10420, The Terrace, Wellington 6143.

Mangarakau Swamp Field Centre, North West Nelson Borders Kahurangi National Park and Te Tai Tapu Marine Reserve. New, 10 bed lodge with two bathrooms, fully equipped kitchen. Sleeping bags, towels and food required. Contact Jo-Anne Vaughan – Golden Bay Branch Secretary for details: javn@xtra.co.nz or phone (03) 5256031.

Tautuku Lodge, Otago State Highway 92, Southeast Otago. Situated on Forest and Bird’s 550ha Lenz Reserve 32km south of Owaka. A bush setting, and many lovely beaches nearby provide a wonderful base for exploring the Catlins. The cottage, the cabin and an A-frame sleep 10, 4 and 2 respectively. No animals. For information and rates please send a stamped addressed envelope to the caretaker: Diana Noonan, Mirren St, Papatowai, Owaka, RD2. Tel: (03) 415-8024, fax (03) 415-8244.

Email: diana.keith@ruralinzone.net

Bivouac Outdoor is a 100% New Zealand owned company with a business model that gives the flexibility and scale to provide you with the best outdoor clothing and equipment available in the world today.

“Committed to adventure” is not a throw away line, it’s a mission statement that we will bring you the best of the best.

With each of our stores stocking over 7500 products from 150 different suppliers, we are able to offer the best performers in each category.

We present cutting edge technology from leading international manufacturers such as Arc’teryx, Berghaus, Black Diamond, Exped, Osprey, Outdoor Research and The North Face. Every item has undergone a selection process during which the product has proven itself to be a top contender in its category.

Outdoor Research Men's Igneo Jacket The fully seam taped, waterproof, breathable Pertex® Shield of the Igneo Jacket keeps the wet out and the EnduraLoft™ insulation provides extra warmth when you're skiing out on backcountry slopes. To keep the snow away from your skin and stop your base layers from getting wet, the Igneo features a zip-out powder skirt. And when you need extra ventilation while tramping back up to the top for another run, there are double sliding pit zips and a zip off hood.

Waterproof/breathable 2-layer Pertex® Shield fabric with a brushed tricot lining 60g EnduraLoft™ insulation down the front and in the arms with 40g EnduraLoft ™ in the back and under the arms Fully seam taped with water-resistant pocket zips Zip-off, dual-pull adjustable, non-insulated hood sized to fit over your helmet Front zip with external stormflap Double-sliding pit zips for versatile ventilation Articulated elbows for unrestricted movement Zipped internal pocket with media port Two zipped hand pockets and a zipped napoleon pocket Zip-out nylon/spandex-knit mesh powder skirt with gripper elastic Elastic cuffs with hook/loop tabs to keep as much weather out as possible Dual drawcord hem adjustments RRP $399.00

QUEEN STREET NEW MARKET SYLVIA PARK ALBANY MEGA-CENTRE TAURANGA HAMILTON PALMERSTON NORTH WELLINGTON TOWER JUNCTION DUNEDIN