Tiritiri Matangi guest guide: Neil Davies

The guides on Tiritiri Matangi come from all walks of life and all stages of life to share invaluable knowledge with visitors to the Island. Dawn Chorus thought you should meet some of these dedicated volunteers by asking a series of questions about their lives. In this issue we introduce 70-year-old Neil Davies who has been guiding for more than 20 years. Neil has also been involved since the restoration project began.

What did you do before you retired?

Secondary school teacher – science/biology.

Where did you grow up?

Birkenhead on Auckland’s North Shore.

What are your other hobbies/pastimes?

Photography, botanising, birding, walking/hiking, a volunteer at Shakespear Open Sanctuary.

Why guiding?

Guiding allows me to share my experiences and enthusiasm for this wonderful island with visitors, and is a great opportunity to increase their environmental awareness.

What is the quirkiest experience you have had on the Island?

Probably the time a group of us were watching two kiwi running around one night and one ran right over my foot. It probably thought it was a tree!

What is your favourite story you like to share about Tiritiri Matangi?

My introduction to the Island in 1984 when the restoration project began. We became part of the “spade brigade” and brought students over to the Island to help develop some of the tracks and to plant trees. The planting programme spanned 10 years, with many hundreds of

Preliminary Notice of Annual General Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi will be held at 7.30pm, Monday 18 September 2023, in the Fickling Convention Centre, 546 Mt Albert Rd, Three Kings. Further details will be in the August issue of Dawn Chorus volunteers involved, and now visitors can see the result of the labour. What a difference almost 40 years makes! I enjoy showing visitors the “before” and “after” photos.

What is your favourite bird on the Island?

Hihi, probably (with kōkako a close second). Why? In 1995, while teaching at Glenfield College, staff and students were involved in the initial translocation of hihi to Tiritiri Matangi from Hauturu/Little Barrier. The hihi we see today are the descendants of those first birds, so I tend to have a soft spot for them. Also, they are lively, colourful little birds, and one of the more endangered species that need all the help we can give them.

What is your favourite plant/tree?

That’s a really difficult one to answer. Quite possibly, the pōhutukawa. Why? It is an iconic tree with wonderful adaptations to survival in the harsh coastal environment, and its flowers attract so many animal species. Plus, the Island has some magnificent, gnarly old specimens. If only these old trees could talk – the stories they could tell!

What is your greatest environmental concern?

Biodiversity loss and environmental degradation, with the natural environment not afforded the respect it deserves. Tiritiri Matangi is a shining example of what can be achieved by a group of passionate, dedicated, like-minded people with a vision for the future.

New volunteer editor needed

Putting together Dawn Chorus is a big job. It may not look it, but pulling together all the content for each issue, subbing it to style, then laying it out in InDesign, is like a huge jigsaw puzzle. I’ve done five issues and enjoyed the challenge but I’m an editor, not a designer! So, I’m saying farewell as I have taken on some parttime work related to my previous academic research. The plan now is to out-source the design – and find an experienced editor to do the editing. Basic skills with InDesign are required. I estimate it takes around 30 hours an issue. For a copy of the job description or more details, email: editor@tiritirimatangi.org.nz

Ka kite anō

Lyn Barnes