Poutiri ao ō Tāne
Embracing the sacred knowledge of Tāne
We see the beating wings of birds returning to the forests
of New Zealand and vulnerable species flourishing in the
midst of sustainable agricultural production
What is this project about?
Poutiri ao ō Tāne is about bringing our wildlife back into our lives, embracing the knowledge of a wide range
of collaborating partners. We plan to see the return of many species lost to this area over time and to see these
vulnerable species flourish in the midst of sustainable agriculture and forestry.
Here in Hawke’s Bay we have many gems scattered through our landscape. They are our reserves, forest parks
and private land often with covenants, most of which exist quietly in their own space. Then there are sites which
experience intensive management, such as Boundary Stream Mainland Island, Lake Opouahi, Lake Tutira
and the Cape Sanctuary. All these sites are surrounded by well modified and familiar landscapes of productive
farms, forestry and urban sprawl.
An ecological and social restoration project of this scale, as proposed for the Maungaharuru-Tutira catchment
is unique within New Zealand. Equally distinct will be the level of collaboration between agencies, community
and opportunities for businesses.
Where will this project be happening?
The Maungaharuru – Tutira catchment, 50km north of Napier is our focus for the short term but who knows
what will follow?
Hawke’s Bay is ideally placed to be a leader in the restoration of our native plants and animals on such a large
scale. Though the rich range of species that used to dominate our region is greatly reduced and fragmented, we
still have nationally significant fragments of land and wildlife remaining.
Why is it important we do this project?
Our past
The islands of Aotearoa - New Zealand, isolated from
the rest of the world for millions of years, evolved with a
unique assemblage of plants and animals. They flourished
in this seclusion. The arrival of Māori, then Europeans
lead to the decline and extinction of many species and
ecosystems. Large tracts of native forest were cleared,
wetlands drained and ecosystems were modified as land
was converted for agriculture, horticulture and forestry.
Today
Approximately one-third of New Zealand’s land is legally protected but in many cases the impacts of pests are
still causing declines. Further, the protected areas are mostly represented by remote, hilly areas inhospitable to
production. The remaining two-thirds of New Zealand’s landscape, including the areas in which the majority of
the population live, are now heavily dominated by farming and forestry.
New Zealand has a long and enviable history of protecting and restoring wildlife on off shore islands. More
easily protected they have been the focus of much learning. During the mid 1990s it was decided to transfer
the advances made and lessons learnt to our six ‘Mainland Islands’. Today the emphasis is on collaboration and
realising conservation over rural New Zealand.
Our future
To allow our species and ecosystems to flourish, we need to do more. There is
a need for communities, iwi, business and government to work together to
protect our unique heritage. There will be a shift away from preserving our
wildlife in ‘conservation zoos’ (uninhabited and isolated forests, islands).
Instead, large scale protection will happen in ‘our backyards’. This has
never been attempted at this scale in New Zealand and this project is about
working together to develop the tools needed for all of New Zealand. The
future is bright.
What will be done here?
Six complementary work streams over the next three years will comprise the project.
Habitat restoration
Species reintroductions
Initiatives will include planting along
our rivers and lakes with the goals
of enhancing small fragments of
existing bush, controlling erosion,
reducing silt into our water ways,
returning the rich whitebait resource
to waterways, carbon forestry on
marginal land and weed control. The
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has
the expertise to lead this work but we
need landowners, community and
volunteers to be involved.
The Cooks petrel, once common here played an important
part in our natural areas by bringing marine nutrients into
the forests and being an important food source for early
inhabitants. They will be returned to a protected pest free
site. The kākāriki (yellow crowned parakeet) and kākā
(bush parrot) are both endemic parrots (only found in New
Zealand). They too were common and suffered following
deforestation and the introduction of pests. They will be
reintroduced to Boundary Stream where they will spread
to protected lands. The Department of Conservation, the
Cape Sanctuary and teams of volunteers will work closely
together to make these reintroductions happen.
Wide-scale pest control
Research
Introduced mammalian predators will be controlled
over 10,000ha with the result of protecting ecosystems
and species. Over time we hope the “spillover” of
native species into surrounding land will ensure that
our threatened species will become more common in
the Hawke’s Bay. Landcare Research, Department of
Conservation and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council will
design and implement the pest control programme. It is
hoped that this will devolve to the community over time.
New Zealand is known for cutting edge
technologies in pest control, pest eradication and
species management which will continue with
this project. This research programme which
will monitor the results in this new extended
landscape will be designed and led by Landcare
Research. Research will be aided significantly
by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Department of
Conservation, local contractors and volunteers.
Education
This is a vital component of this project. As Baba Dioum, a
Senegalese Conservationist says
“In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will only
love what we understand and we will only understand what
we are taught”.
Education providers are already working effectively in the
region. Guthrie-Smith Outdoor Education Centre is an
institution at Tutira; ECOED has established a purpose built
education facility at Opouahi Scenic Reserve. Boundary Stream
Mainland Island and Opouahi Scenic Reserve both provide
easy access and opportunities to experience threatened wildlife
firsthand. Further education programme around this initiative
are planned.
Communication
This work will mean very little if we
can not share what is happening.
All of New Zealand will potentially
benefit from differing aspects of
this programme. There will be an
emphasis on sharing the stories, the
science, the new techniques that we
develop and the special events with
everyone.
How and when will the project develop?
This audacious ecological and social restoration programme for the Hawke’s Bay captured the imagination of the Robertson
Foundation who now actively supports our goals.
Year One – Up to June 2011 – Planning and set-up
Teams are being established to set up to provide leadership and to set up specific programmes; kākāriki will be reintroduced;
aviaries designed for kaka reintroduction; and seabird restoration sites assessed.
Year Two – July 2011 to June 2012 – Implementation
The work begins in earnest with pest control ramping up; kākā will be introduced and the predator proof fence built at
Maungaharuru providing safety for the impending return of seabirds.
Year Three – 2013 – Review and move forward
Translocations are continuing to be successful and juvenile Cook’s petrels are translocated at the secure site at Maungaharuru;
existing bird populations are slowly building; predator control is streamlined and learning’s from all research and work is
published and promoted to other restoration groups around the country; management of the ongoing predator control is
devolving to the local community.
Who are currently involved in this project?
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Aotearoa Foundation
Cape Kidnappers Sanctuary
Community
Councils: – Hawke’s Bay Regional Council
– Hastings District Council
Department of Conservation
ECOED (Environment Conservation and Outdoor Education Trust)
Fish and game New Zealand
Guthrie Smith Trust
Iwi:
– Maungaharuru Tangitu
– Ngati Hineuru
– Ngati Pahauwera
Landcare Research
Local businesses
People of Hawke’s Bay
How can you become involved?
There are many ways to be involved. Help with translocations; monitoring; pest control; research and education are only a
few examples of what will be needed in the coming years.
Contact
Department of Conservation
PO Box 644, Napier
Phone 06 8343111
Fax 06 8344869
Email [email protected]
www.doc.govt.nz
Published by Department of Conservation, Napier. March 2011.