Date:  22 August 2017 Source:  Cape to City

New Zealand robin/toutouwai and North Island tomtit/miromiro have been translocated to Maraetotara Plateau in an effort to restore species lost through habitat modification and predation.

The translocation of these manu/birds started over the weekend and will take a few weeks.

This project is closely aligned with the government’s Predator Free 2050 initiative, which aims to rid New Zealand of the most damaging introduced predators which threaten our nation’s natural taonga, economy and primary sector.

Translocation leader, Kahori Ngakagawa, says this translocation will enhance the already successful establishment of toutouwai released last year.

“Since the previous translocation, we’ve seen un-banded juveniles in other bush areas including Mohi Bush Scenic Reserve", he says.

The toutouwai and miromiro are being captured at Maungataniwha (Northern Hawke’s Bay) and Boundary Stream Mainland Island, and released into Hundred Acre Bush and Maraetotara Scenic Reserve. In total, there will be 90 toutouwai and miromiro re-introduced to the Maraetotara Plateau over three years.

This miromiro and toutouwai translocation is part of the Cape to City project, a collaborative initiative involving more than 26,000 ha between Hastings and Cape Kidnappers and from Waimarama south to the Kahuranaki forest remnants.

Connie Norgate, Operations Manager for DOC Hawke’s Bay, says this is another great milestone in the Cape to City project.

“It’s extra special because it’s in part a gift from its sister project Poutiri Ao ō Tāne", says Connie.

Kaumātua from Ngati Mihiroa, Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust and Pukepuke Tangiora Trust were involved in the transfer and blessing of these precious taonga.

Maungaharuru-Tangitū Trust kaumātua, Trevor Taurima, said, “What a great day it was. The toutouwai were very active and couldn’t wait to get into their new home.

“It was good to be there as Maungaharuru Tangitū in support of Ngati Mihiroa.”

In addition to translocations, Cape to City and its sister project Poutiri Ao ō Tāne are trialling low-cost predator control, increasing native habitat, conducting research and monitoring, as well as encouraging community engagement.

Cape to City’s vision is to have ‘native species thrive where we live, work, and play’.

Find out how you can become a part of the Cape to City project.

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