Four months on from the first boat leaving for Auckland Island, all the field teams are home safely for the winter. A whirlwind summer has seen great gains in knowledge about the island and has given valuable insights into how the ambitious plan to remove pigs, cats and mice might work. The … [Read more...] about The results are in: Where to next for Pest Free Auckland Island?
Researchers/innovators
PekaPeka bird feeder is a winner for its Dunedin designers
Harvey Penfold is a product design student, in his final year at Otago Polytech, Tahu Mackenzie is LEOTC (Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom) Education Officer at Orokonui Ecosanctuary just north of Dunedin and together they’ve designed an innovative bird-feeder. The PekaPeka was designed … [Read more...] about PekaPeka bird feeder is a winner for its Dunedin designers
Trials test feasibility of removing pigs, cats and mice from Auckland Island
Trials are in full swing down in the Southern Ocean exploring whether it’s possible to rid Auckland Island of its three remaining introduced predators – pigs, cats and mice. Following the successful eradication of mice from Antipodes Island, the Department of Conservation has turned its … [Read more...] about Trials test feasibility of removing pigs, cats and mice from Auckland Island
Lego kākāpō design needs 10,000 supporters
University student Hayden P. is a Lego enthusiast with a passion for New Zealand birds. If his latest Lego design – a kākāpō – reaches 10,000 supporters on the Lego Ideas website then the design will be considered for commercial release as an official Lego product to be sold worldwide. Come … [Read more...] about Lego kākāpō design needs 10,000 supporters
‘Rivers Rare’ tells success story of Waitaki braided river conservation
When the Waitaki hydro system was developed, 7,400 ha of open braided river habitat and 3,900 ha of swamplands were lost in order to ‘bring power to the people’. As well as increased electricity generation, we gained 22,250 ha of lakes and 290 ha of lake shoreline, but at a cost. It is the … [Read more...] about ‘Rivers Rare’ tells success story of Waitaki braided river conservation
Rat-trapping compost bin disposes of rodent problem
What’s a broken-down washing machine got to do with backyard predator control? Not a trick question – just an example of the creative and inventive lengths some entrepreneurs will go to in order to nab rodent compost bin raiders. Hannah Smith in Auckland, had a problem. She wanted to recycle … [Read more...] about Rat-trapping compost bin disposes of rodent problem
Towards a Predator Free Taranaki
A large-scale predator project, the biggest of its kind in New Zealand, was launched in Taranaki today supported by more than $11 million from the Government. Taranaki aims to be the first predator free region in the country under the project, called Taranaki Taku Tūranga - Our Place, Towards a … [Read more...] about Towards a Predator Free Taranaki
Crofton Downs is bursting with birdlife
Kelvin Hastie describes himself as a positive person. He doesn’t do negativity – and lately he’s had plenty to feel positive about. “The other day I was in a reserve and I saw seven kakariki in one totara. I could hear others nearby. There were about 10 kakariki in one spot. Kakariki are doing … [Read more...] about Crofton Downs is bursting with birdlife
Saving community conservation
Community conservation is in trouble and without clear objectives and support structures the risk of volunteers losing interest is high, according to a new report commissioned by Predator Free New Zealand Trust. The report by leading researcher Dr Marie Brown from The Catalyst Group, … [Read more...] about Saving community conservation
Phill Waddington – Wildlife artist and DOC Series trap inventor
Not long ago, a door-knocking volunteer from a community trapping group offered to lend Phill Waddington a DOC 200 trap to put in his back yard. What the volunteer didn’t realise – and probably most New Zealanders don’t know – is that Phill Waddington, Hutt Valley wildlife artist, actually invented … [Read more...] about Phill Waddington – Wildlife artist and DOC Series trap inventor