THAMES COAST KIWI CARE

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THAMES COAST KIWI CARE Protecting and enhancing kiwi populations on the Thames Coast November 2013 From the Chair After seven years of dedicated service, our Coordinator Carol Nanning has stepped

balancing the sometimes differing local attitudes towards land use.

1 THAMES COAST KIWI CARE Protecting and enhancing kiwi populations on the Thames Coast November 2013 From the Chair After seven years of dedicated service, our Coordinator Carol Nanning has stepped down. In large part, our Group s ongoing success in trapping and success in maintaining excellent relationships with local landowners and trappers resulted from her energy and her sensitivity in balancing the sometimes differing local attitudes towards land use. As this issue of the newsletter details, Carol s place was taken by Malcolm Macfarlane, whose long experience as a bushman and trapping coordinator for the Whenuakite Kiwi Care Group made him an ideal choice, and we look forward to an equally productive period with him. Our Co-ordinator is TCKC s only paid worker and, thanks in part to the success of our earlier projects funded externally and good working relationships with local and national government bodies, we were fortunate this past year in securing funds from The Department of Conservation to allow this vital work to continue for a further period of three years. Of course, there are also on-going costs of general administration and maintaining the traps, and for these we rely mainly on funds from membership and special events like the Thames Ukulele Orchestra concert. Our thanks to all those to continue to support us in these ways. Other funding from the Waikato Conservation Council allowed us to upgrade one of our trap lines, and the Waikato Regional Council provided the means of replacing our aging trap mechanisms with stainless steel ones. Our thanks to these two supportive organisations. The main kiwi killers stoats, weasels and untrained dogs are still out there, but we can deal to them if you too are out there, helping with your interest, time and material support. So thanks for what you've been doing so far, and we look forward to your continued association with TCKC. Richard Moyle Subscriptions for 2014 are due. Please disregard if you have already paid. Please pay if you haven t - we need you!! Subs and donations can be made by direct credit to our KiwiBank acc; or, to PO Box 396 THAMES From our departing Project Coordinator - Carol Nanning After seven great years wearing the TCKC Coordinator hat, it is time to try on another one. This hat has a DOC logo on it and a key part of my job is keeping islands in the Hauraki Gulf pest free to protect the huge investment made in removing animal pests. I make sure people, gear and machinery are free of dirt, seeds, rainbow skinks and Argentine ants whilst our trusty hound (Pai) seeks out rodents. It has been an immense pleasure to be part of the history of this group first as part of the scoping team, then as coordinator. My thanks to all those that contribute - really without you this project could not prosper. What a great bunch of people to have the privilege to work with and what a lot of fun we have had!! It is easier to leave something precious when you know you leave it in good heart. The mission " to grow kiwi populations on the Thames Coast" is in good hands and we are able to celebrate our good fortune in welcoming Malcolm Macfarlane as TCKC Predator Control Coordinator, who brings a wealth of knowledge and bush skills and can take the project forward. I look forward to seeing some of you around the traps. Many thanks and warm thoughts from Carol Nanning. 1

Our new Project Coordinator Malcolm Macfarlane Greetings from the field. My name is Malcolm Macfarlane. I have taken over from Carol as the new Trapping Coordinator for Thames Coast Kiwi Care.

It is good to know that you are still involved with the group and are only a phone call away if I need to call on your knowledge. I have over 30 years trapping experience and bush knowledge.

2 Our new Project Coordinator Malcolm Macfarlane Greetings from the field. My name is Malcolm Macfarlane. I have taken over from Carol as the new Trapping Coordinator for Thames Coast Kiwi Care. Carol and I have been working together during the last few months while I have been learning the ropes. Thank you Carol for your time. It is good to know that you are still involved with the group and are only a phone call away if I need to call on your knowledge. I have over 30 years trapping experience and bush knowledge. I have trapped many different animals and I am passionate about protecting our native flora and fauna from these pests. I have a vast range of knowledge in trapping procedures and toxin use. For the last 15 years I have been monitoring possum populations for Doc, Regional Councils, AHB and private organisations. I have been fortunate enough to have done this around most of our beautiful country and I have seen some amazing areas that most people don t get to see. I am also a possum fur and skin agent for Dawson furs. Over the last 8 years I have had the pleasure of working with another great community group, Whenuakite Kiwi Care Group, as their 2 Predator Control Coordinator. This has been a fantastic experience and it has been very rewarding to see the increase in kiwi numbers and other bird life during this time. The kiwi population has increased by a massive 14% due to the groups dedicated predator control work. I plan to use my knowledge and expertise to work with the Thames Coast Kiwi Care Group to protect their kiwi population by managing a successful trapping program. This work will also benefit other bird populations and forest regeneration. I am available to anyone who has any questions or would like further information about trapping, volunteer support or anything else that I can help with. I am looking forward to working with you all to achieve successful outcomes for our kiwi. Cheers Malcolm Macfarlane Namunamu Health Check and release Here are some photos of the final health check and release of Namunamu earlier this year from the team that were there. Many thanks to Rachel Holmes for sending these through. Pic below is Neil, Bev, Myra, Wayne and Tommy with his new mutt. Rachel took the photo. Namunamu, below left, is now free of her transmittter and us. This was her final health check and our final farewell. Go forth and pro-create... Namunamu Excellent. Well done team!! (More Namunamu pics page 5)

Community in Action.... Ukes on Fire Fund-raising Concert In March we had a successful fund-raising concert and auction.

gave their precious time and not last, but most especially those who didn't come but give their time month in, month out, year after year.

Sally and Sasha from Raupara were able to take on the task of providing refreshments (distant from their business). The vast hall space was full of warmth and conviviality.

3 Community in Action.... Ukes on Fire Fund-raising Concert In March we had a successful fund-raising concert and auction. The venue changed at the last minute from the Raupara Water Gardens to the back up venue at the Tapu Hall Many thanks to all - those who came, those who helped, those who donated stuff, those who gave their precious time and not last, but most especially those who didn't come but give their time month in, month out, year after year. With showers hanging about in the Tapu Valley and a last minute decision to move the event to the Tapu Hall, everything still went swimmingly. Sally and Sasha from Raupara were able to take on the task of providing refreshments (distant from their business). The vast hall space was full of warmth and conviviality. The stars of the day: Ukes on Fire (15 or so people) gave us their all... as well as their Saturday. They had feet tapping and before you know it, people dancing!! The music was great, a real walk down memory lane. It was a real 'kiwi' experience!! We were greatly entertained by Ian and Dave Coatsworth as they laid the ground-work for the art auction with the beautiful donated art pieces having been admired and duly purchased to very satisfied buyers. (Our daughter being one - who for some time was taking great delight that she was bidding against her father unbeknownst to him). The food was excellent and enough. Bill McKay and Steve Broughton - what marvels they are. They worked like a well oiled machine - the meat and the veges arrived beautifully prepared. Extraordinaire!! Yes there was food for the vegetarians as well, prepared by locals... no one went hungry!! So the project continues to thrive - the money raised will be able to provide us with day to day functioning - bait supplies, monitoring, health checks and tx removal from Namunamu, stationary, financial auditing and much more. magnificent!! awesome!! tremendous!! brilliant!! fabulous!! Carol The Ukulele Orchestra in action in the Tapu Hall Our Auctioneers Ian and Dave Coatsworth firing up the punters Kiwi Care AGM 8th December, Tapu hall 3pm 3

Community in Action... cont. Te Mata Track Upgrade This work was carried out in June by Walkway Solutions Ltd with much volunteer support by Neil John of TCKC. A big thanks to Neil for that.

In order to get approval to work on the part of the track located within the Coromandel Forest Park, TCKC negotiated with the Department of Conservation.

4 Community in Action... cont. Te Mata Track Upgrade This work was carried out in June by Walkway Solutions Ltd with much volunteer support by Neil John of TCKC. A big thanks to Neil for that. TRACK CLEARING 6 14 JUNE 2013 With a grant from the Waikato Community Conservation Fund, TCKC undertook remedial work on its Te Mata Ridge Track line in June. In order to get approval to work on the part of the track located within the Coromandel Forest Park, TCKC negotiated with the Department of Conservation. This project represented the first time that DOC has given approval for a private organisation to undertake work within the DOC estate, and the resultant Memorandum of Understanding took several weeks to complete. Walkways Solutions was awarded the contract, and Co- Owner Allan Berntsen instructed their digger operator Thomas Dehar to do the job. TCKC trapper and committee member Neil John volunteered to act as safety backup, and here is his report: 4 On June 6 I went with Thomas to the start of the Te Mata Ridge track, taking his spare bucket and tools as well as 40 litres of diesel on my quad bike. Despite Thomas having trouble initially getting the digger up through the pines after so much rain, he eventually made it out and we spent half of the first day sorting out the track just above the cattle stop an area with really deep rutted washouts. Over the next two days we widened the track where possible and put drains in to try and get the water off the track. Our next major task was around trap 15 where the track was just a mud bog for metres, so we moved the track slightly to the right to miss the worst of it. We decided to do all the major work on the way in and tidy up on the way out. While Thomas was working the digger I was clearing the track of overhanging branches so maybe we won t need to have another working bee for at least months. In all it took us till June 14 to get back out. We were very lucky with the weather as we got rain only on the last day. Our thanks to Neil, Thomas, DOC and the Waikato Community Conservation Fund. The track clearing team goes to work!! New DOC200 trap mechanisms WRC has recently informed us that we were successful in our application for $4945 for the purchase of 100 replacement stainless steel DOC200 trap mechanisms. These will be used for new traps plus replacements for existing traps as needed Trappers Gathering More box making activity A trapper s gathering is being organised and details will be available soon.

Predator Control Update October 2013 Approx number of traps out: 2011-352, 2012-368 from Nov 2013-429.

Stoats: 788, Weasels: 344, Rats: 3915, Ferrets: 3 (young). 2013 Catches: Stoats: 66. Weasels: 22. Rats: 343. Number of non-target species from 2006: 295.

5 Predator Control Update October 2013 Approx number of traps out: , from Nov Month Stoat 2011 Stoat 2012 Stoat 2013 Weasel 2011 Weasel 2012 Weasel 2013 Rat 2011 Rat 2012 Rat 2013 October Total Catches since 2006: Stoats: 788, Weasels: 344, Rats: 3915, Ferrets: 3 (young) Catches: Stoats: 66. Weasels: 22. Rats: 343. Number of non-target species from 2006: 295. Total of non-target species 2013: 22. October: 1. Mouse caught in DOC 250. VOLUNTEER INPUT October No. of volunteers (individuals counted once for each Hours Trapping Track Maintenance 2 15 Total Hours

Farrant Barbara Barclay J o h n C h r i s p R&D Williams J o h n S t a n l e y Cara Penney Stephen Chibnall J & L Ballantyne Michael Bullock P & D Burton Chris Brodie Fin Buchanan Louise Deane Niel

6 Many thanks.... to our regular volunteers P & J White Jim Glenn/TMF Anaru Leigh Christine Friis Ian Stewart P & C Bennett Bob Carr L & R Moyle Richard Williams W & M Lincoln N John & B Walker Duncan Farmer Mike Farrant Barbara Barclay J o h n C h r i s p R&D Williams J o h n S t a n l e y Cara Penney Stephen Chibnall J & L Ballantyne Michael Bullock P & D Burton Chris Brodie Fin Buchanan Louise Deane Niel Smith Brian Boyle Warwick Reed Jessie Green Tania Boyle Sue Canon Grant Tollison R & D Williams Andrew Paparestis Simon Ritchie Membership Form Name: I wish to join Thames Coast Kiwi Care (TCKC) I wish to renew my subscription.... & our supporters, funders and business donors: Members Vetel Contracting Frances Peach Pub Charity Royal Oak Hotel Neil John Tapu Fire Brigade Des Veal Carters (Kopu) Waitete Sawmill Andrew Crowe Landowners Rapaura Water Gardens RD 1 (Kopu) Address: Phone: Placemakers (Thames) Hauraki Herald Waikato Regional Council Bennett Family (NZ) Jones Family (USA) Lincoln Family Spirit of Coromandel Walkways Solutions BNZ Save the Kiwi SBA Thames Tel if you would like to participate in: Free Kiwi Aversion Training for dogs and owners is offered by DOC Tel: for more information. Or haurkikiwiaversion@doc.govt.nz Check out the TCKC website: 6 Kiwi Care AGM 8th December, Tapu hall 3pm Thames Coast Kiwi Care PO Box 396 THAMES Tel: Subscriptions for 2014 are due. Please disregard if you have paid. Please pay if you haven t - we need you!! Direct credit:

THAMES COAST KIWI CARE

THAMES COAST KIWI CARE Protecting and enhancing kiwi populations on the Thames Coast August 2012 From the Project Coordinator Greetings to you all!! There have been a few changes since our last ne wsletter.