Karioi Maunga Restoration Project
Further information and event dates:
Karioi Maunga Restoration Project in Raglan is taking steps toward eradicating introduced pests and restoring native flora and fauna on Karioi Maunga. Te Whakaoranga o Karioi Inc Society and A Rocha Aotearoa NZ together with Whaingaroa hapu, the Department of Conservation, and other interested community groups and individuals are working together to make this happen.
Kids looking into Wainui Stream
The project is located on a 28 hectare segment of Karioi Maunga called the "Upper Wainui Reserve". Pest control commenced in August 2009 and in 2010, the project was expanded into the Bryant Memorial Scenic Reserve specifically to protect nesting sites of the Grey-faced petrel or OiOi. Breeding burrows have been found on the coastal cliffs in the Bryant Memorial Scenic Reserve.
Monitoring includes bird counts, vegetation studies, weta counts, stream invertebrate and fish surveys and monitoring of rat numbers before and after trapping (during spring and summer).
Building on local enthusiasm, 52 stoat traps will be deployed across the main tracks on the mountain from Te Toto Gorge (Karioi track) to Ruapuke Road (Wairere track) in September 2011. This part of the project aims to determine the feasibility of establishing stoat control over the entire mountain with the potential of eventually reintroducing stoat vulnerable native species such as kiwi and kaka.
The group hopes to foster an ongoing relationship with the University of Waikato, government agencies and individuals to expand and build on existing knowledge of the mountains flora and fauna through research and education.
John Lawson deploys a tracking card
into the monitoring tunnel
You can help
People can be involved in pest trapping, educational activities and monitoring. There are opportunities for individuals to participate in all aspects of the work depending on their interests and skills.
Contact
Kristel van Houte-Howes (ARANZ)
Email: new.zealand@arocha.org