Wednesday July 12, 2017
Trapping rodents in local backyards for a predator free capital By Julia Czerwonatis
The vision for Wellington to become the first predator free capital city in the world is one step closer, with 84 per cent of Wellingtonians supportive of ridding the city of rats, stoats, weasels and possums according to Wellington City Council survey. Predator Free Wellington is an ambitious project which aims to increase native wildlife. It aligns with the recently announced Government mission to make the whole of New Zealand predator free by 2050 and is supported by Wellington City Council, the Greater Wellington Regional Council and NEXT Foundation. As part of the project’s initial planning phase a survey was undertaken to understand the preferences and attitudes of Wellington residents towards predator eradication. Gavin Kane is one of the driving forces behind Predator Free Ngaio, an initiative started up last year in July. “We are setting up backyard box traps to catch rats and mice in our neighbourhood,” Gavin explained. At the latest count the 420 households that joined Predator Free Ngaio managed to
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The traps are provided by predator free advocate Kevin Hastie and are no danger to pets like cats. PHOTO: Predator Free Ngaio
trap 1690 rats and mice this year. “We also have an agreement with the council who provide us with traps for natural reserves,” Gavin explained. He said it was a real community thing and that they were hoping to make a difference for the natural environment of Wellington. However, predators were a big issue to tackle. Grant Nalder has only recently launched Predator
Free Newlands/Paparangi/ Woodridge and helped to install over 30 traps in his neighbourhood so far. “My boys put me on the topic, my oldest son is 10, and he was really excited when he heard about Predator Free New Zealand. “My wife dug up some information and as soon as we started our Facebook page we had heaps of positive feedback,” Grant said.
David, also known as Treefrog, and his son George. PHOTO: Supplied
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How did you get involved with climbing?
My kids brought me into climbing. When my youngest one turned six we had a birthday party at Ferg’s, the climbing gym in town. After that we used to go there quite often, the kids loved climbing. Children climb everything: trees, walls – it’s one of the fundamental human movements. That’s why they chose it for the Olympics as well.
The local scout group has offered to help him to install more traps. “We are building up a good network. Currently, we concentrate on private properties, but ultimately we also want to trap parks and natural reserves.” For more information contact predatorfreengaio@ gmail.com or predatorfreenewlands@gmail.com or find out more on wellington.govt. nz/predatorfree.
With Climbing NZ president David Sanders By Julia Czerwonatis
Sports climbing is not only the newest discipline at the Tokyo Olympic Games 2020 but is also becoming more popular among young Kiwis. Secured on ropes, climbers make their way up high walls holding onto artificial holds and using different techniques to master the route. The Independent Herald talked to David Sanders, a local Aro Valley pianist and artist, and the president for Climbing New Zealand about the sport and the growing climbing community.
So your sons started to climb on a regular base?
Yes, we made an enquiry about a kids climbing club in town, and Ferg’s told us there was a group called the Dynomites that are out at the Hangdog Climbing Gym in Lower Hutt. We contacted them, and they said they were a competition club. My two boys joined their first competition in Mount Maunganui and when we got there it was such a great experience because
no matter what club you are from you are just cheering everyone up. There was such a great vibe and a really good feeling of community, plus the climbers were doing the most amazing things I have ever seen with overhangs and big jumps.
So what is characteristic about sports climbing in New Zealand?
It’s a youth orientated sport. About 90 per cent of the people that participate in
national competitions are under the age of 20. Climbing New Zealand is the overall national organisation for the sport. It’s an urban sport based around the climbing gyms in the cities, and there are seven clubs that are affiliated to Climbing New Zealand. We run a national cup series of lead climbing and bouldering; we run three of these competitions a year. We also run a national championship for lead climbing and one for bouldering.
What’s On – School Holidays! Entertainment these school holidays at Johnsonville Shopping Centre with Zappo the Magician performing from 10th-14th July, with shows at 11am and 1pm, Village beads from 20th-21st July, 12pm-2pm and Face painting with Body FX from 17th-19th July, 12pm-2pm. These school holidays you can also win one of 3 $100 Toyworld Vouchers! Just spend $20 in any participating store to be in with a chance to win! Terms and Conditions apply, see in store and website for details.
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