Te Potae O Awarua project continues
Date: 29 July 2009
The Aorangi-Awarua Trust has just received confirmation of funding from the Lotteries Commission to continue with the battle to reduce stoat numbers in the north-west Ruahines, thus protecting native birds like kiwi and blue duck in the area.
The project started as a research project to study the need for baiting stoat traps. However, it has gained a lot of support from the community and is growing from strength to strength. From its 20km beginnings in 2007, the Te Potae O Awarua stoat trap line has extended several times, now stretching to 60km. The most recent extension links the other two lines, which collectively aim to cover the north east Ruahine Range over lands administered by both the Department of Conservation (DOC) and the Aorangi-Awarua Trust. Traps set out on this line at the end of March 2009 are monitored and cleared by trust members who already report success.
Jason Wipaki, of the Aorangi Awarua Trust
checking the new line.
The Aorangi-Awarua Trust works closely with DOC to control predation of kiwi and whio (blue duck), and with the Operation Nest Egg programme to help build kiwi numbers in the area. With the help of this years' funding, extensive surveys of whio and kiwi populations will be carried out. This information will help determine what effect the stoat line is having on these native birds in years to come.
Although the project is a partnership between DOC and the Aorangi-Awarua Trust, it has been well supported by many others. Volunteers or 'stoaties' have removed a total of 92 stoats and 167 rats from the traps in the original line since the project began. 90 stoats and 172 rats have already been cleared from the newer lines. Horizons Regional Council provided funding and support. Local company Zeagolds Foods donate eggs to bait the traps each month. Helicopter work for stoat line set ups is subsidised by Andy Lowe of Hillcountry Corporations Ltd.