The goal of Oākura and the Kaitake area to be possum-free, the largest area in mainland New Zealand, is heading in the right direction thanks to the diligence of locals and experienced possum hunters. Since January 2019 more than 300 possums have been caught by experienced possum hunters Andrea and Max Hoegh, and their two possum dogs in urban backyards, parks and reserves, in Oākura and surrounding rural properties. The seaside town is part of a New Zealand-first trial to be possum-free as
rural trial, across 16,000 hectares between New Plymouth and Egmont National Park is part of Towards Predator-Free Taranaki, helping restore biodiversity by removing rats, possums and stoats from rural, urban and conservation land. Chris and Mike started contracting to Towards Predator-Free Taranaki in December 2018, diversifying from work in seismic drilling for Taranaki’s oil and gas industry. Less than a year into contract work, helping residents remove rats, possums and stoats to better care for
years ago. She’s recently included rat traps too. Ms Thompson and other New Plymouth urban residents are the focus of a region-wide biodiversity project, Towards a Predator-Free Taranaki, which is supporting Taranaki’s wildlife, native plants and healthy ecosystems. “If I can do it anyone can” says Tricia. Towards a Predator-Free Taranaki is working to ultimately get rid of introduced predators from the region - on urban and rural land and across Egmont National Park – and prevent re-infestation.
the single-greatest difference to Taranaki’s biodiversity, but this social impact is a valuable additional outcome of the project too. It’s fantastic the enthusiasm we are seeing so early on, “Mr Shanley says. The increase in trapping around New Plymouth district, however, is based on hard data; more than 2000 rat traps in backyards, another 1000 rat and stoat traps on public reserves and parks and 2100 traps are being rolled out on rural land. END
without parking and traffic hassles,” says TRC Transport Services Manager Chris Clarke. “If you’ve never used the buses before, why not give it a go?” He also says extra Saturday Christmas shopper services will again be scheduled in December, with details of routes, timetables and fares on www.trc.govt.nz/saturday-services-december-2019. NPDC’s See It In The City team is organising the fun from 11am until the parade starts at 1pm. The entertainment will include performances on the Zeal stage, a Let’s
education Site 76 (470 KB pdf) single document only Site 76 (470 KB pdf) The weather Site 75 (1.3 MB pdf) single document only Site 75 (1.3 MB pdf) New Zealand ShakeOut Site 74 (2.2 MB pdf) single document only Site 74 (2.2 MB pdf) Riparian management Site 73 (2 MB pdf) single document only Site 73 (2 MB pdf) Peringa Park and Lake Rotomanu Site 72 (455 KB pdf) single document only Site 72 (455 KB pdf) Self-help possum control programme Site 71 (2.7 MB pdf) single document only Site 71 (2.7 MB pdf)
being the most favoured. Wetland studiesThere are some excellent wetland areas suitable for school visits. Popular ones are Nowells Lake, near Hawera and Barrett Lagoon and the Peringa Park wetlands in New Plymouth. Pond studiesVirtually every pond is inhabited by a variety of invertebrates and many also support a wide variety of pond plants and birdlife. Garden studiesAs mentioned elsewhere in this newsletter, visits to the Rainforest School at Pukeiti have been popular for some time while the
Kaitake Range. “Taranaki has unique advantages that can make it the first region in the country to remove introduced predators – its relatively compact geography, its regional and national expertise in biodiversity and predator control, and strong community collaboration and enthusiasm at all levels,” Mr MacLeod says. The project will link with successful predator work in Egmont National Park by Taranaki Mounga Project, which has already reduced predators to low levels and allowed the reintroduction
Lake, near Hawera and Barrett Lagoon and the Peringa Park wetlands in New Plymouth. We have a wetlands study unit available online and we also recommend booking a visit to the Taranaki Wetlands exhibition at Puke Ariki on show throughout 2018. Mountain studiesStream studies are an option for school groups visiting the mountain and there are a number of short walks available where students can learn about the importance of weather stations and local wildlife. Pond studiesStudies investigate
inappropriately used, stored or disposed of. Legislation introduced in 1990s means present day activities and industries are much less likely to lead to land contamination. Importantly, the presence of contaminants at a site does not necessarily mean that land is unsuitable for use. A site is only categorised ‘contaminated’ if activity at the site would expose large number of users to unacceptably high risk. For example, sealing a potentially contaminated site for car parking virtually eliminates the risk of