Projects

 

Kiwi

Reducing predator numbers is the only way to protect our kiwi population. Without protection only 5% of kiwi chicks survive. And currently 95% of kiwi habitat in New Zealand is unprotected, with predation by stoats being the main problem.

Everywhere around us the kiwi population is declining or collapsing. But research shows that by trapping an area with good kiwi numbers, the population can double every six years.

The first phase was trapping 3,000 hectares in Purangi/Matau area. The second phase is trapping the Pouiatoa area to give a combined area of 13,000 hectares. Surveys estimate about 85 pair of kiwi in the Purangi/Matau area and 270 pair in Pouiatoa.

The kiwi population will continue to grow thanks to ongoing pest control by the Trust. Reversing the population decline is living proof of how the community can play a vital role in saving kiwi in Taranaki.

 

 

 

 

Blue duck project

The work of ETET does not stop at kiwi protection, although it is its main focus. When the local DOC ranger was discussing his blue duck (whio) project to the trustees, their was much talk of the need to expand the trapping programme outside of Egmont National Park, to ensure 50 kms of river habitat was under predator control. DOC’s current programme was not sufficient to provide this. ETET came on board, along once again with TRC, and obtained funding and support to achieve the goal. The guru of all things “pesty”, Darren Peters identified the roads and area where traps were needed.

 

Biodiversity Condition Funds provided seed funding and the project was away. It was identified that 10 lines would be needed. There are now 469 boxes which extend outside of the Park, for this project. This has successfully expanded the river habitat area to over the required 50 kms. Local landowners check the boxes on a volunteer basis. Earlier in the 2008 year, a number of the volunteers assisted DOC by walking in and releasing a number of juvenile whio into the rivers. It is a challenging environment for them, with the high rainfall and often sudden and severe flooding can wipe out the food supply. Last season saw a number of successful fledging in the area.
Already this season a number of ducklings have hatched both inside and outside the Park boundary.

 

 

Trapping Report

 

Nov2009 [ Download ]