Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Agenda

Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 Cambridge Service Centre Kaipaki Committee Room 23 Wilson Street Cambridge

Chairperson Councillor Andree-Wiltens

Members His Worship the Mayor JB Mylchreest, Cr PTJ Coles, Cr RDB Gordon, Cr GRP Webber, Phil Lyons (CE Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust), Hiiri Taute (Pohara Marae), P Davies (Ngāti Koroki Kahukura – MEIT and Maungatautari Marae), A MacPherson ( Regional Council), Ray Scrimgeour (Department of Conservation), Geoff Canham (Consultant)

Parawera Marae – representative to be appointed Adjoining landowners – two representatives to be appointed

17 March 2021 04:00 PM

Agenda Topic Page

1. Apologies 2

2. Disclosure of Members' Interests 3

3. Late Items 4

4. Confirmation of Order of Meeting 5

5. Confirmation of Minutes 6

5.1 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Unconfirmed Minutes- 18 November 2020 7

6. Hicks Road Access to Maungatautari Scenic Reserve 34

7. Landowner Agreement Update 35

8. Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust Operational Report to December 2020 36

8.1 Appendix 1 - Operational Report Maungatautari Reserve Committee Meeting 37 October-December 2020

8.2 Appendix 2 - Biosecurity Risk and Pathway Management Plan 2021-2026 43

1 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Apologies

APOLOGIES

2 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Disclosure of Members' Interests

DISCLOSURE OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS

Members are reminded to declare and stand aside from decision making when a conflict arises between their role as an elected member and any private or other external interest they may have.

3 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Late Items

LATE ITEMS

Items not on the agenda for the meeting require a resolution under section 46A of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 1987 stating the reasons why the item was not on the agenda and why it cannot be dealt with at a subsequent meeting on the basis of a full agenda item. It is important to note that late items can only be dealt with when special circumstances exist and not as a means of avoiding or frustrating the requirements in the Act relating to notice, agendas, agenda format and content.

4 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Order of Meeting

CONFIRMATION OF ORDER OF MEETING

Recommendation That the order of the meeting be confirmed.

5 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

To: The Chairperson and Members of the Maungatautari Reserve Committee From: Governance Subject: CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES Meeting Date: 17 February 2021

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

To confirm the minutes of the Maungatautari Reserve Committee meeting held on 18 November 2020.

2 RECOMMENDATION

That the open minutes of the Maungatautari Reserve Committee meeting held on 18 November 2020, having been circulated, be taken as read and confirmed as a true and correct record of that meeting.

3 ATTACHMENTS

Maungatautari Reserve Unconfirmed Committee Minutes – 18 November 2020

6 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

Time: 4.00pm Date: Wednesday 18 November 2020 Venue: Cambridge Committee Room Cambridge Service Centre 23 Wilson Street, Cambridge

Opening Karakia – Poto Davies MEMBERS

Chairperson Councillor Andree-Wiltens

Members Cr PTJ Coles Cr RDB Gordon Cr GRP Webber [departed at 4.45pm] Phil Lyons (CE Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust) P Davies (Ngāti Koroki Kahukura – MEIT and Maungatautari Marae) Ray Scrimgeour (Department of Conservation)

Staff in Attendance Sally Sheedy - Manager Community Services

Guest Speakers from Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Tali Jellyman – Education Team Leader Dan Howie – Ranger Dr Janelle Ward – Species Coordinator Jess Meade – Marketing Manager Rosie Cahalane – Wellness Coordinator

1 APOLOGIES

RESOLVED 10/20/10 That the apologies for non-attendance from His Worship the Mayor JB Mylchreest, Member Canham and Member Tauroa be received. Councillor Coles/ Councillor Gordon

7 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

2 DISCLOSURE OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS

There were no new disclosures.

3 LATE ITEMS

There were no late items.

4 CONFIRMATION OF ORDER OF MEETING

RESOLVED 10/20/11 That the order of the meeting be confirmed. Councillor Webber/ Councillor Coles

5 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

RESOLVED 10/20/12 That the open minutes of the Extraordinary Maungatautari Reserve Committee meeting held on 21 September 2020, having been circulated, be taken as read and confirmed as a true and correct record of that meeting.

Committee Member Davies/ Councillor Webber

6 MAUNGATAUTARI ECOLOGICAL ISLAND TRUST OPERATIONAL REPORT JULY – SEPTEMBER 2020

Chief Executive Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust Phil Lyons presented the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust Operational report for the period July – September 2020.

Mr Lyons updated the Committee on pest incursions, fence breaches, species update, health and safety and progress on funding for the Education Centre.

In the first rat incursion, 3 ship rats were trapped along the northern fence line in July. In the second incursion a ship rat was trapped on the western fence line in September.

18 November 2020 Page 2 of 5 10517973

8 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

Two new cadets are starting work with the Operations Team on the 2nd of December thanks to the support of Toi Ohomai and the Te Puni Kokori cadetship program. A ranger dedicated to the maintenance of access roads/tracks at Maungatautari would also begin work on this same date.

With support from Kiwi bank, 24 dog handlers from the Conservation Dogs Programme will be coming to the maunga for a week of collaboration and training. In this week the DOC team will sweep the mountain in search of pest species including rodents, mustelids, cats, plague skinks and argentine ants.

RESOLVED 10/20/13 That the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust Operational Report July – September 2020 (Document 10513804) be received.

Chairperson Andree-Wiltens/ Committee Member Scrimgeour

7 MAUNGATAUTARI ECOLOGICAL ISLAND TRUST - SANCTUARY MOUNTAIN UPDATE

Chief Executive Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust Phil Lyons presented the 2020 Sanctuary Mountain Annual Report and the Sanctuary Mountain Operating Plan for 2020/2021.

Members of Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Team accompanied Mr Lyons and presented a power point presentation to the Committee. The presentation highlighted Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) including good health and well-being, quality education, good jobs and economic growth, life on land and partnerships for the goals. In 2019, Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari began aligning their reporting outcomes to the United nations Sustainable Development Goals framework.

A copy of the presentation (ECM: 10514608) has been included in the minutes.

RESOLVED 10/20/14 That the Sanctuary Mountain 2020 Annual Report (Document 10513809) and Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust – Sanctuary Mountain Operating Plan for 2020/2021 (Document 10513813) be received.

Councillor Gordon/ Councillor Coles

18 November 2020 Page 3 of 5 10517973

9 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

[Councillor Webber departed at 4.45pm]

8 MAUNGATAUTARI RESERVE MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE

Manager Community Services Sally Sheedy provided an update on the Maungatautari Reserve Management Plan.

Ms Sheedy advised that the draft Maungatautari Reserve Management Plan (Plan) was presented to the Strategic Planning and Policy Committee (Committee) on Tuesday, 6 October 2020. Following a presentation by Anna McElrea, Senior Reserves Planner and Shelley Monrad from Beca, the Committee approved the Plan and endorsed staff seeking the Conservation Minister’s approval of the Plan. The Plan has been sent through to the Minister of Conservation, and staff are awaiting approval.

RESOLVED 10/20/15 That the information from Sally Sheedy, Manager Community Services be received.

Councillor Coles/ Committee Member Davies

9 LANDOWNER AGREEMENT UPDATE

Manager Community Services Sally Sheedy provided an update on the Landowner agreement.

Following the June 2020 Maungatautari Reserve Committee meeting, Manager Community Services met with Greg Martin to discuss the continuation of landowner agreements. Greg has agreed to continue the work commenced to progress landowner negotiations. An update on progress, along with a revised landowner map will be presented to the first Maungatautari Reserve Committee meeting in 2021.

RESOLVED 10/20/16 That the information from Sally Sheedy, Manager Community Services be received.

Councillor Gordon/ Councillor Coles

18 November 2020 Page 4 of 5 10517973

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10 HICKS ROAD ACCESS TO MAUNGATUATARI SCENIC RESERVE

Manager Community Services Sally Sheedy provided photos of the progress made on the access track in the Dallinger property.

Ms Sheedy advised that the Easement Documents were awaiting signing. Once they had been signed, the Maori Land Court process can commence.

RESOLVED 10/20/17 That the information from Sally Sheedy, Manager Community Services be received. Committee Member Davies/ Councillor Gordon

11 MEETING SCHEDULE 2021

The Local Government Act 2002 requires Council and its Committees to set the dates of meetings, or a schedule of meetings, for a period of time.

RESOLVED 10/20/18 That in accordance with the Local Government Act 2002, Schedule 7 Clause 19(6)(a)(b) the Maungatautari Reserve Committee adopt the following schedule of meeting dates for 2021 (generally being the third Wednesday tri-monthly, except January and July):

17 February; 19 May; 18 August; 17 November.

Chairperson Andree-Wiltens/ Councillor Coles

There being no further business the meeting closed at 5.30pm

Closing Karakia – Poto Davies

CONFIRMED AS A TRUE AND CORRECT RECORD CHAIRPERSON:

DATE:

18 November 2020 Page 5 of 5 10517973

11 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

12 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

13 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

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SDG #3: Good health & well-being Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

Science shows increased psycho- logical and physiological benefits of nature Piloting two programmes • Nature Connections • Forest Flow Partnering with Resthaven and Council Sensory, exploratory, slow, gentle exercise Record health indicators of participants Develop programme based on pilot data

15 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

Guided tours SDG #4 Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning.

Total guided tours 2019/2020: 1200 Highlights 87% increase in guided tours 64% increase in inbound tour operators

Two new tour products: 2018/19 2019/20 • Seasonal highlights tour ITO Other • Unique kiwi experience tour Highlights 2020/2021 • Continued development of guiding programme and on-boarding new guides • Refining the kiwi experience tours

16 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

Education

Total education visitors 2019/2020: 2,898 2,404 students, 494 adults Highlights: Sponsorship and kaitiaki film competition with Mother Earth

Highlights for 2020/2021 • Building our relationship with teachers through development of our education database • Continued development of our educational programme experiences • Trialling use of digital resources to support visits • Education centre build

17 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

SDG #4: Quality Education Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning. A student involved in conservation education: • is part of and connected to the natural world • appreciates that Aotearoa is a special place with unique ecosystems • understands that caring for our resources of the land and sea is important to our wellbeing and survival

18 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

Highlights from 2019/2020

• Visitors numbers Monthly Visitor numbers 14,070 (compared to 4000 3000 17,078 in 2000 2018/2019) 1000 0 • Pre-COVID up approx. 9% on 19/20 18/19 17/18 16/17 previous years visitor numbers Visitors YTD to 30 June 20000 17078 15721 14070 • Guided tours 15000

increased by 87% 10000

and ITO tours 5000

increased by 64% 0 1 • 22% of visitors are 2019-20 2018-19 2017-18 from overseas VISITOR ACTIVITY for 2019-20 financial year (YTD) Education Programme 2817 • 61% domestic MAUNGA ANNUAL PASS 296 visitors from the OTM 853 VC ONLY 908 Waikato, 14% MANU WHENUA 72 and, 8% EVENT 38 ITO - Tour Operator 765 Bay of Plenty GUIDED TOUR 1352 SE - Southern Enclosure 6816

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000

19 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

Highlights from 2019/2020

• 97.7% of visitors were “Very Satisfied” or “Extremely Satisfied” with their experience

• 88.5% of visitors rated the value of money for products “above average” or “excellent”

• Net Promoter Score is 86

20 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

Highlights from 2019/2020

• NZ Life & Leisure – Back full-page article • Young Adventuress visit – Travel influencer with 201,000 followers on Instagram • The Style Jungle visit – Travel influencer with 12,500 followers on Instagram • Sunday TV Show – War of the Wild • Air NZ Safety Video – Seen on YouTube 1.8 million times • Mother Earth Partnership – product on supermarket shelves nationwide • What Now – Our Kiwi Ranger taking a young host on a kiwi experience • School Holiday specials – over 900 bookings and 400 people going through the enclosure over four days. • Feature articles with Stuff – 2 x full page spreads in Sunday Star times and online • Meditation on the Maunga – Two events sold out • Christmas on the Maunga – Over 300 people visited in one day

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The year ahead

• Focus on domestic market – working in partnership with Hamilton Waikato Tourism • Inspired Kaitiaki membership • Local rates • Media Fund – radio advertising • Travel trade international video • Arataki Cultural Tours • NZ Motorhome, Caravan & Leisure Show • Mediation on the Maunga • Night Tours • Kiwi Experience • Christmas on the Maunga – 5 December - a thank you to Waikato community

22 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

2019-20 Financial Year 2020-21 Financial Year • 13 incursions of pest species to SMM • Conservation Dog Programme site enclosures. visit, conducting an extensive search • Mice removed from all mouse free for pests on the maunga. enclosures. • Recruitment of 4 cadets via the Toi • No further Weasel or Rat tracking Ohomai and Te Puni Kokiri cadetship following incursion responses. programme. • Rodent and mustelid detection dogs employed following high risk incursions. • Continued critical pest response work through the COVID19 lockdown.

23 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

2019-20 Financial Year • Attended 90 call outs to the fence. • Pre-emptive vegetation trimming/felling. • Road maintenance on the quad bike track and perimeter road. • Replacement of aging fence components. • Continued response to fence breaches through the COVID19 lockdown. 2020-21 Financial Year • Introduction of ArcGIS apps in field work. • Upgrade of EDAC dialers. • Continuing road maintenance and fence components replacement. • Replacement of slumping fixed screen culverts and water gates.

24 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

Species Results

• Species survey results –kokako (est. =101), hihi (est. pop=126) • SMM is in top 3 sites nationally for takahe breeding success (18 juveniles total, 4 chicks 2020, 2 new males 2020) • Successful rifleman surveys in Pirongia and Pureora to receive transfer permit • Received a 10-year global species management DOC permit • Tautari Wetland Restoration progress including weed work and c.200 plantings • Increased Research including DOC Tier 1 monitoring, hihi monitoring methods, invertebrate genetics, abundance and response to eradication • Fungal survey project initiated 2020 (iNaturalist)

25 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

Upcoming Species Work

• Rifleman translocation April / May 2020 • Kakapo translocation 2021/22 (pending successful fence trials) • Gecko & Skink permanent lizard survey (first due Dec 2020) • MWLR Triennial Bird Count due 2020 • Tuatara survey due late 2020/ early 2021 • Kokako Top-up translocation 2021/22 • Research – Peripatus, Giraffe weevil genetics, weta foraging, tree phenology, E.coli water quality testing, NI kaka movement studies

Christopher Stephens, CC BY-SA

26 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

North Island Brown Kiwi (Western)

• 83 new founders during the 2019/20 season • 133 kiwi released since 2018 • Assistance with Rotokare translocation (18 kiwi) • 12 more to come • Second round up of kiwi in southern enclosure added 5 kiwi to the main mountain enclosure • Acoustic recorder kiwi call count results • More than doubled from previous 2019/20 survey

27 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

Maungatautari Kiwi in 2020/21

• Third season of releases already underway • Estimated 75 kiwi this season • Full time kiwi ranger • Creation and development of dedicated volunteer kiwi team • Monitoring of up 20 kiwi chicks for 6 months • Developing methods of estimating ages of kiwi walking the perimeter • Kiwi call count by staff and volunteers • Kiwi acoustic recorders to index beside the live results

Christopher Stephens, CC BY-SA

28 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

Partnerships • Our dedicated Volunteers, Supporters, Families, and Individuals • Waipa District Council; • Waikato Regional Council; • Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment; • Lotteries: Environment & Heritage Committee; • Te Puni Kōkiri & Toi Ohomai Institute; • Landowners; • partners: Ngāti Koroki Kahukura, Ngāti Hauā, Waikato and Raukawa; • Prolife Foods Ltd, Mother Earth; • Our ‘family of funders’– Trust Waikato, WEL Energy Trust, NZ Community Trust; and DV Bryant Trust; • Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research; • The Department of Conservation; • Kiwis for kiwi; and • Scientific & Technical Advisory Panel (STAP).

29 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

30 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

31 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

32 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Confirmation of Minutes

Thank you for your time. Please feel free to ask any questions?

33 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Hicks Road Access to Maungatautari Scenic Reserve

INFORMATION ONLY

To: The Chairperson and Members of the Maungatautari Reserve Committee From: Gary Knighton, Manager Strategic Partnerships Subject: HICKS ROAD ACCESS TO MAUNGATAUTARI SCENIC RESERVE Meeting Date: 17 February 2020

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A verbal update will be provided at the meeting by the Manager, Strategic Partnerships.

2 RECOMMENDATION

That the Maungatautari Reserve Committee receive the verbal report about the Hicks Road Access to Maungatautari Scenic Reserve of Gary Knighton, Manager Strategic Partnerships

34 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Landowner Agreement Update

INFORMATION ONLY

To: The Chairperson and Members of the Maungatautari Reserve Committee From: Greg Martin, Land & Natural Heritage Consultant Subject: LANDOWNER AGREEMENT UPDATE Meeting Date: 17 February 2020

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A verbal update of landowner negotiations will be provided at the meeting by Greg Martin, Land and Natural Heritage Consultant.

2 RECOMMENDATION

That the Maungatautari Reserve Committee receive the verbal report on the Landowner Agreement Update of Greg Martin, Land and Natural Heritage Consultant.

35 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust Operational Report to December 2020

INFORMATION ONLY

To: The Chairperson and Members of the Maungatautari Reserve Committee From: Phil Lyons, Chief Executive Sanctuary Mountain Subject: MAUNGATAUTARI ECOLOGICAL ISLAND TRUST OPERATIONAL REPORT TO DECEMBER 2020 Meeting Date: 17 February 2020

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Quarterly operational report form October – December 2020 and Biosecurity Plan 2021 - 2026 will be presented by Phil Lyons, Sanctuary Mountain CE.

2 RECOMMENDATION

That the Maungatautari Reserve Committee receive the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust Operational Report to December 2020 (Document 10554629) of Phil Lyons, Chief Executive of Sanctuary Mountain.

3 ATTACHMENTS

 Operational Report Maungatautari Reserve Committee Meeting October- December 2020 (Document10554629)

 Biosecurity Risk and Pathway Management Plan 2021-2026 (Document 10554634)

36 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust Operational Report to December 2020

Operational Report Maungatautari Reserve Committee Meeting October-December 2020

1. Operational update 1.1. Incursions and Breaches

There have been 3 incursions of rats to the sanctuary July 20-December 20. In July an incursion of rats occurred on the northern fence line and 3 rats were trapped at 341a, 345a and 354a. An incursion in September saw a rat trapped on the western fence line at 277a. In October an incursion was detected on the eastern fence line, via rat tracking at 87, and subsequently 3 rats were trapped in the incursion response at 84, 85 and 87a. With the exception of the response at 87 these incursion responses are now complete.

Two incursions occurred in December. Mouse tracking was identified in the QE2 block. An incursion response throughout the QE2 block is ongoing.

Breaches & Incursion Response per month 6

5

4

3

2

1

0 Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

FY18/19 Breaches & Incursion Responses FY19/20 Breaches & Incursion Responses FY20/21 Breaches & Incursion Responses

MAUNGATAUTARI RESERVE COMMITTEE OPERATIONAL REPORT OCT-DEC 2020

37 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust Operational Report to December 2020

1.2 Fence management There have been 5 fence breaches in this financial year. In September tree fall destroyed three sections of the Southern Enclosure fence. In October tree fall destroyed a section of the northern fence line at 346. In November two sections of the northern fence line were destroyed by tree fall at 366. In December two fence breaches occurred when vegetation formed a bridge across the fence in the north east and south east at 36a and 120.

Fence Callouts per month

18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun

FY18/19 FY19/20 FY20/21

1.3 Species Update

Kakapo The SMM Species Coordinator travelled to Whenua Hou (Codfish Island) in November to observe and assist with kakapo electric fence trials under the direction of DOC kakapo team members. Three other representatives Meg Rutledge (DOC Animal Ethics), Estelle Leask (Ngai Tahu) and Owen Boyes (Gallaghers) also attended the trials. No kakapo were harmed and there was a variety of responses to the fence and electric wire. A full report from the KRG will explain the outcomes and next steps in due course, with further trials planned in February 2021.

Lizards A lizard survey training day and workshop was held in September 2020 with live lizard handling, survey set-up, lizard identification skills and data recording. The workshop had 11 SMM volunteer participants and was led by Moniqua Nelson-Tunley from Waikato Regional council. In October and November volunteers and staff set up 80 stations over 8 monitoring lines in the Southern Enclosure. The first survey is due to proceed in February 2021.

Kiwi The final tally for the acoustic kiwi survey conducted in June 2020 was 3.8 calls per hour, which is more than double last year’s call count (1.4cph). SMM received funding to employ Craig Montgomerie as fulltime kiwi ranger, who has been implementing the K4K kiwi monitoring strategy and initiating a new volunteer monitoring team. Several chicks have been released into the Southern Enclosure on transmitter, to monitor weight gain and facilitate research into kiwi tracking and dispersal. As at the end

MAUNGATAUTARI RESERVE COMMITTEE OPERATIONAL REPORT OCT-DEC 2020

38 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust Operational Report to December 2020

of December, a total of 173 kiwi have been released to SMM as part of the kiwi kohanga strategy and we have a minimum total of 262 kiwi within the sanctuary.

Takahe An epic national takahe transfer day coordinated by the Takahe Recovery Group involved transfers of dozens of male birds from around the country to multiple sites in September. Long-term resident males Ngutu whero (Wetland) and Brodie (Coopers) were transferred to and two new males Hemi (Wetland) and Pirie (Coopers) were introduced. Both new pairs were nesting within a month, however both initial nests failed with the eggs not hatching. Both pairs went on to nest again in November and we are delighted to report two healthy chicks as at the end of December 2020 (one to each pair). The new pairings represent the best genetic quality possible, meaning the chicks are valuable for the ongoing success of the takahe recovery programme.

Hihi A massive effort to improve tracks for the hihi conservation officer was initiated in August and September, including valley tracks impaired by lush regrowth and tree fall. It is imperative that further tracks are cleared to ensure survey effort can be improved for multiple species including hihi. The hihi survey was completed and results for 2020 are still pending. There is evidence of successful breeding in 2020/21 with multiple chicks viewed on video via the long-term mountain feeder camera traps.

Kokako SMM was successful in a 2020 DOC Community Fund bid “Sovereign of the Sanctuary” which enabled kokako contractor Dave Bryden and his team to complete a thorough survey. The census result was 47 pair and 7 single territorial birds. This is more than double the last survey in 2018 (19 pair and 6 singles) and represents the fastest growth rate of a kokako population for any mainland site. The kokako specialist group has advised that a further introduction of 20 birds from 1-2 sites should be sufficient to establish good genetic founders and complete the kokako translocation. Negotiations are underway with DOC for a permit and funds are being sought to facilitate one or two translocations by 2022.

Tuatara A tuatara survey was conducted in December with 8 volunteers over 2 nights and a total of 5.5 hours search time in the tuatarium (Wetland). Fifteen of the original twenty founders (75%) were caught and a total of 24 tuatara found, with 9 juveniles meaning good breeding success and recruitment. A further 3 tuatara were sighted in the weeks following the survey bringing the total to 27. The second tuatara release site will be surveyed in February 2021.

Kaka Unfortunately, a kaka known to us was (rehabilitated two years ago and known at “LT”) was found badly injured in Kihikihi by a member of the public; it died at a veterinary clinic and trauma was found as the cause of death. Although it is very sad news, it shows the value of banding kaka and showed that this released bird had survived for two years in good health prior to the accident.

Fungal Survey The trial iNaturalist SMM project for fungal survey is proving successful with over 60 recorded fungal species at Maungatautari in less than a year, some of these are research grade recordings and the project is proving useful for engaging volunteers in citizen science.

Biosecurity Three scientists from Scion visited the maunga in late 2020 to take branch, soil and root samples from some ailing Mangeao trees on the North-west fence perimeter. The samples were analysed free of

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39 Maungatautari Reserve Committee Agenda - 17 March 2021 - Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust Operational Report to December 2020

charge at the Scion labs. Preliminary test results have revealed no obvious pathogens and it is currently thought the tree deaths and visible signs of damage are due to exposure.

Tautari Wetland A successful planting day in the Tautari wetland was led by the planting and weeding volunteer team with NH team support. More than 200 plants were planted throughout the wetland area and a Mitre10 donation of tubing supplies helped to ensure that the takahe will not destroy the plants before they have a chance to take root. At the same time several pest (willow) trees were removed by the NH team. Further work is planned for the wetland restoration in 2021.

Research Waikato University PhD students have been conducting research on Giraffe Weevil genetics and Weta foraging behaviour under the direction of invertebrate ecologist Dr. Chrissie Painting.

A published research article came out in mid-2020: Corinne Watts, John Innes, Vanessa Cave, Danny Thornburrow & Stephen Thorpe (2020). Beetle and wētā community responses to mammal eradication on Maungatautari, Waikato, , New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 47:4, 272-290. A Waikato University student has been conducting research at Maungatautari, looking at edge effects (abundance and species) of Peripatus in fenced vs. unfenced sites.

A research team from Agresearch and NIWA, led by Dr. Adrian Cookson visits Sanctuary Mountain every two months for E.Coli sampling of the Maungatautari and Mangahoi streams. There has been opportunity for staff, volunteers and local mana whenua to join the sampling expeditions and the next visit is due early Feb 2020.

Margaret Dickinson from Waikato University is studying the phenology of Waikato tree species including the timing of flowering, fruiting and germination of Tawa, Pigeonwood, Mangeao and Titoki and is also compare some of the effects of mice on germination at Maungatautari.

1.4 Biosecurity Plan The biosecurity Plan review has been completed. This process is being guided by the MEIT Scientific & Technical Advisory Panel. (STAP). This review was undertaken by Peter Russell and John Simmonds of Better Biosecurity Solutions. MEIT staff will be working closely with STAP to deliver this plan.

MAUNGATAUTARI RESERVE COMMITTEE OPERATIONAL REPORT OCT-DEC 2020

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2.0 Health and Safety

2.1 Accidents/Incidents/Near Miss There have been a total of Eleven Accidents/incidents or near misses in the first six months.

Accident/Incident/Near December 2020 YTD Summary Miss Type Near Accident Incident Total 4 Miss 3 Vehicle 0 0 1 1 2 Slip/Fall 2 6 0 8 1 Rescue 0 0 0 0 0 Aggression 0 0 0 0 Branch Fall 0 0 0 0 Equipment 0 1 1 2 Near Miss Accident Incident Total 2 7 2 11

2.2 Details of Accident, Incident and near miss. Slips and falls represent SMM’s biggest risk, with a total of 14 near miss/accidents/incidents in the last 18 months.

Cumulative Totals July 2019-December 2020.

Vehicle Equipment Slip/Fall/Branch Impact Aggression Rescue Total Near Miss 5 1 4 10 Accident 3 2 10 1 16 Incident 2 1 1 3 7 10 4 14 1 1 3 33

Accident/Incident/Near Miss Type 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Vehicle Equipment Slip/Fall/Branch Impact Aggression Rescue

Near Miss Accident Incident

2.3 Opportunities for Improvement An Improvement Team has been established in December to review the data and look for improvement to reduce Slips/Falls.

MAUNGATAUTARI RESERVE COMMITTEE OPERATIONAL REPORT OCT-DEC 2020

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3. Visitors Visitors YTD to 30 DEC 10000 7954 7620 8000 6573 6903 6736 6000

4000

2000

0

2020 2019 2018 2017 2016

December forecast visit numbers 1557. Actual 2630.

December visitor numbers bucked the trend of earlier months with numbers up by 3% for December. (1525 v 1493 in 2019). There were 209 visitors to the locals day on Saturday 5th December 2020.

Overall visitor numbers are YTD 17% down from 2019, (7954 in 2019 v 6573 in 2020)

This is accounted for with international visitors reduced from 19% of the total to just 1% of the total. Independent tour operator numbers suffering greatly from lack in International visitors, with 501 YTD in 2019, nil YTD in 2020.

Education programme numbers are also down YTD, however a very active school programme in the last few weeks of term 4 has seen YTD numbers ahead of target, 1389 in 2020.

Visitors from the Greater Waikato area account for 56% of the YTD NZ visitors, Auckland 15% of visitors & Bay of Plenty 8%. These ratios are very similar to 2019.

4. Projects

Project Update 4.1 Education Centre. • Paua Architects are waiting competitive quotes from building contractors. • MEIT has received the following reports: o Geotech o Storm water and wastewater design o Electrical design o Structural Engineers o Fire Safety Design.

4.2 Toi-Ohomai • Awaiting draft MOU from Toi Ohomai. Apprenticeship

5. Recommendations That the Maungatautari Reserve Committee receives this report. Phil Lyons CEO.

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Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari

Biosecurity Risk and Pathway Management Plan

2021 – 2026

Prepared for the

Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust

January 2021

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Bibliographic reference: Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Biosecurity Risk and Pathway Management Plan 2021-2026. Report prepared by Better Biosecurity Solutions Limited for Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust.

Prepared by: John Simmons and Peter BBS Project No. Russell - Better Biosecurity 1246/20 Solutions Limited (BBS)

Reviewed by: Peter Russell Approved for release

Status: FINAL Version No: 3 Issue date: 13th January 2021

Reading and using this report

The Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust (MEIT) has developed this Biosecurity Plan for its Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari operation, in conjunction with the following agencies and people:

• Mana Whenua - Poto Davies, Aaron Barnsdall • SMM staff and volunteers • Department of Conservation – Nigel Binks, Andrew Styche • Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research - John Innes • Waipa District – Kristina Barnes • Waikato Regional Council - Amy Satterfield, Kate Richardson.

BBS and MEIT thanks all those who have contributed their valuable knowledge to this Plan. This report should be read together with the Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Restoration Plan 2019- 2029 for a better understanding of the wider project scope.

Disclaimer: This ‘desktop’ feasibility report has been written by Better Biosecurity Solutions Ltd (BBS) under contract to Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust (MEIT). It is intended to, within the limitations of the project scope, provide accurate and adequate information on the subject. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information in this document is accurate, BBS accepts no responsibility or liability for error or fact omission, interpretation or opinion which may be present, nor for the consequences of any decisions based on this information. The authors have exercised all reasonable skill and care in the preparation of this information and accept no liability in contract tort, or otherwise, for any loss, legal prosecution or enforcement action, damage, injury, or expense, whether direct, indirect or consequential, arising out of the provision of the information. It may not be reproduced or copied, in full or in part, without the permission of MEIT.

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Table of Contents

Page Executive summary i 1. Introduction 1 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Purpose of the plan 5 1.3 Scope 6 1.4 Duration and review of the plan 8 1.5 Definitions of Biosecurity for this plan 8 1.6 Other relevant legislation 10 1.7 Components of the Plan 11 2. Pest Pathways Into Maungatautari 12 2.1 Risk profiling 12 2.2 Determining significance and probability criteria 13 2.3 Risk analysis of actual and potential pests and pest pathways 13 3. The Biosecurity Plan 17 3.1 Aim, goals and objectives 17 3.2 Goals and objectives 18 3.3 Management measures (and other actions) 20 4. Recommendations 43 5. References 47 APPENDICES 458 Appendix 1: Pests and pest pathways identified 458

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Executive summary

The Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust (MEIT, or the Trust) has initiated a review of the first Biosecurity Plan (the Plan) which was operative for the period 2015-2020, to help safeguard translocated indigenous species and protect the overall integrity of Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari (SMM) against introduced invasive organisms.

The Trust invited bids from contractors with biosecurity expertise to review the Plan. The contract was awarded to Better Biosecurity Solutions Ltd. Within the project scope the Trust required that the existing plan be audited, and the revision examine several areas:

• Identify and analyse risk pathways (current and new). • Are biosecurity best practices being followed? • Stocktake of issues and advise any changes necessary. • Consider recent disease incursions and ramifications for SMM operations.

Maungatautari is unique to New Zealand, providing a large (3,239 ha. inside the pest fence), forested ‘mainland island’ sanctuary for many of New Zealand’s threatened and vulnerable species (birds, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, plants and fish). SMM is managed by a community trust (MEIT) comprising landowners, iwi, and local residents. The Trust was formed to ‘remove, forever, introduced mammalian pests and predators from Maungatautari, and to restore to the forest a healthy diversity of indigenous plants and animals not seen in our lifetime’. Iconic species now flourish behind a 47 kilometre long pest-proof fence which excludes all mammalian predators, except mice.

However, it’s challenging design and location on undulating to steep terrain surrounded by farmland provides many pathway opportunities for pests to invade. This document - Biosecurity Risk and Pathway Management Plan (BRPMP) presents the second Biosecurity Plan, the framework of which is developed under three guiding principles of biosecurity - prevention, detection and response. By necessity it focuses on the highest risk threats to the project. For the Plan to be effective the Trust, MEIT staff and volunteers and funding partners (DOC, Waipa District Council and Waikato Regional Council) need to be actively engaged with each other to implement measures to ensure the highest standards of biosecurity risk management.

Other than the obvious priority on maintaining the integrity of the pest proof fence, the Plan addresses primarily pathway-based biosecurity risks. A pathways approach aims to reduce the risks from a range of potential invasive species and modes of access into or onto Maungatautari. The focus is on reducing risks from activities such as: nursery and depot operations, fence maintenance and inspection work and the threat of pest plants invading from neighbouring land. The success of Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari has seen visitor numbers grow, which in turn has created greater expectations and presents a different set of potential pest pathways.

Managing the biosecurity risks from the various SMM activities requires the rigorous application of precautionary processes and operating procedures. However, the biggest biosecurity threats facing the Trust will be continuing to exclude the ‘worst’ of the 13

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mammalian pest species so far eradicated (e.g. possums, mustelids, feral cats and rats) and maintaining the reliability of the fence surveillance system.

The overall goal of the Biosecurity Plan is to eliminate or mitigate where possible the risks of pests and diseases impacting on Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari. This aspiration is backed by a series of specific goals:

• Ensure no predators/herbivores enter the Maunga via the pest proof fence.

• Implement appropriate surveillance and monitoring methods to ensure the predator/herbivore free status is maintained.

• Have a state of preparedness for any incursions, or threats, to the integrity of the Maunga.

• Make general biosecurity hygiene and awareness foremost in the minds of staff, volunteers and visitors to the Maunga.

The key actions in implementing the Plan are summarised below.

❖ Targeting effort - to the highest risk pathways and natural pest invasion sources, determined through biosecurity risk profiling and based on the significance of each harmful organism or pest pathway and the probability of it occurring.

❖ Coordination - continue to seek harmonious relationships with all adjoining landowners and sound working relationships with key regional and district agencies with biosecurity responsibilities and capabilities. SMM will continue to seek out and use specialist advisors on different biosecurity related matters and utilise the various biosecurity fora to maintain currency with national/regional biosecurity issues and to promote the Biosecurity Plan and the wider project (an important role for the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel - STAP).

❖ Detection (surveillance) – maintaining the integrity of the fence through the existing surveillance system and the monitoring/detection programme will continue to be the two most important biosecurity activities of the Trust. The Plan recommends a review of the mammalian monitoring programme and the development of measures to determine the success of the reviewed monitoring programme. The current monitoring programme has been in place for a number of years and would benefit from a specialist panel to review current practices in light of technological advances in monitoring techniques. New aids such as infrared trail cameras, audio recorders, and potentially the redesign of monitor line layout and frequency would be beneficial.

❖ Social marketing – develop or enhance a targeted social marketing programme, aimed at increasing staff and volunteer knowledge; and visitor appreciation of risks through a variety of posters, signage, web-based tools and videos.

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❖ Prevention: - Continue to maintain an immediate and appropriate response capability in the event of fence breaches (including carrying out fence maintenance), - Develop and implement a pest plant specific plan for Maungatautari, - Continue with screening of all species translocations prior to movement, and - Implementation of pest prevention standards for nursery and depot activities (including full wash-down facilities) and separate measures are identified specifically for Tautari Wetland.

❖ Responses (for new to Maungatautari organisms) – develop a protocol to be activated in the event of ‘new to Maungatautari pests’ being discovered, where a response may be beyond the capability of MEIT to respond. This should also include what practices and procedures need to be implemented if an emergency such as a pandemic lockdown, fire, or civil emergency occurs that impacts upon the MEIT functioning.

❖ Responses (for existing organisms) – adopt industry best practice for the control of known pests and follow the prescribed fence breach and response (Pest Risk Management Plan) requirements.

❖ Research – to reduce uncertainty around Maungatautari biosecurity issues, MEIT staff should progress national networking with Sanctuaries Aotearoa and Sanctuaries of NZ Inc (SONZI) to share best practice approaches. The Trust should be aware of and support increased New Zealand wide pest research which will benefit Maungatautari, and the Trust should actively promote research specific to Maungatautari, through leveraging of funding from Grant agencies.

❖ Performance management and reporting: - Maintain databases of all biosecurity activities so that reporting to stakeholder groups can be undertaken, and to enable collation of data for analysis both spatially and temporally. - Examine the potential to provide on-line access to stakeholders to interrogate MEIT datasets for biosecurity information such as breach incidents, incursions responses etc. - Continue to liaise with research providers to identify biosecurity monitoring opportunities including those that support baseline biological information for the main mountain. - Through the social marketing programme, develop a targeted survey of Maungatautari ‘users’ to gauge behavioural change over time.

The 2020 Covid-19 pandemic has made the Biosecurity Plan ‘even more real’ – to be able to operate the surveillance systems and implement appropriate risk management procedures in a locked down state proved challenging. The measures must be moderated against the many uncertainties that exist in understanding how biosecurity incursions could impact on Maungatautari, for example perceived versus actual threats of Argentine ants and the impacts of a number of possible avian and plant diseases.

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Much will depend on the appetite of MEIT staff and volunteers alike to juggle the many priority tasks and implement more rigid practices into their daily work. This group are the ‘eyes and ears’ of the project and as the ‘SMM first responders’ their functions under this Plan will likely widen, necessitating increased planning and training.

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1. Introduction

1.1 Background

The Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust (MEIT, or the Trust) initiated the development of a customised Biosecurity Plan (the Plan) for its Maungatautari Ecological Island1 (Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari) project in 2015. The Plan was developed primarily to reassure stakeholders and the Trust that when iconic native species are released on Maungatautari they will remain secure against biosecurity threats and that the overall biodiversity values of the area will be better protected from exotic incursions. Biosecurity-risk activities carried out in running the overall operation were covered, for example, the nursery operation, vehicle movements from the depot and adjacent landowner actions.

In mid-2020 MEIT instigated a review of the 2015 Plan and required that it be audited and that several areas be examined, such as identification and analysis of risk pathways (current and new), determining whether biosecurity best practices were being followed, taking stock of new issues (and advise changes as necessary) and consider recent disease incursions and ramifications for SMM operations.

Maungatautari (3,239 ha inside the pest fence) is a native forest-covered andesitic volcanic cone (797 m asl) – refer Figure 1. ‘The Maunga’, as it is often referred to as, is located in the central Waikato basin, south-east of Cambridge and is surrounded by grazed farmland. Much of the mountain contains mature and intact podocarp/broadleaf forest. It is one of New Zealand’s flagship conservation projects and is managed by a community trust (MEIT) through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) arrangement with the proprietors of the land.

Maungatautari is unique in that it is surrounded by a 47 kilometre pest-proof fence (Figure 2), to keep the forest free from mammalian predators and herbivores (other than mice on the main mountain), pests and livestock from getting over, under or through it. The aim of the project is to allow the forest to regenerate and to restore the area to a pre-human habitat. The large size and quality of the overall ecosystem makes it viable for self- sustaining populations of many different animal, plant, fungi and other groups of species, that would have been on Maungatautari before humans arrived, which have all but disappeared from other forested areas in New Zealand.

Maungatautari offers a sanctuary for many of New Zealand’s most endangered or vulnerable species (e.g. brown kiwi, takahe, kokako, rifleman, kaka, saddleback, , tuatara, giant weta, banded kokopu and Hochstetter’s frog), most of which have had staged introductions since the fence was completed in 2004. Future release plans include kakapo and rock wren, among others, which means maintaining the integrity of the fence, the overall ecosystem and the associated operation in perpetuity.

Biosecurity and pest management related work is one of the most important and costly activities undertaken by the Trust.

1 The terms ‘Maungatautari Ecological Island’ or just ‘Maungatautari’ used in this plan refer to the same overall project. ‘Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari’ refers to the overall visitor experience and operation at Maungatautari.

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Figure 1: Schematic overview map of Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari showing the key features. Image source: MEIT.

Figure 2: The pest-proof fence. Photo courtesy of WRC.

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The pest-proof fence is the world’s longest of its type and runs through steep terrain in parts, crosses 42 streams, and provides access via many pest-proof access gates to adjoining landowners. The main perimeter fence design incorporates specially designed water gates allowing for the movement of water and freshwater wildlife without allowing pests in. It also has fish tunnels to allow large fish to move freely past the gates. However, the challenging design and scale of the fence, and associated activities, provides a number of potential ‘pathways’ of pest spread.

Before construction of the perimeter fence, two trial areas (the northern enclosure of 35 hectares and southern enclosure of 65 hectares) were developed to prove that: (1) a pest- proof fence could be constructed and maintained in a tall forest environment and (2) to test pest eradication and monitoring techniques.

These enclosures proved highly successful and now exclude all pest animals, including mice. The southern enclosure is the focal point for visitor access, which is complemented by the adjoining Tari Wetland of 3.4 hectares, home to iconic takahe and tuatara. Two thirds of the wetland is fenced in its own pest free enclosure, to the same standard as the main mountain, while the balance of the wetland is within the main mountain. These three areas have separate biosecurity requirements from the main mountain. Other MEIT assets to consider for biosecurity risk purposes include the nearby nursery (e.g. potted plants, potting mix) and storage depot (e.g. vehicles, tools, fence sections), and the visitor and education centre (e.g. rodents and ants and a focal point for visitors when they first arrive).

Adding to Maungatautari’s uniqueness is that it is a community driven project, with a large number of volunteers (291 at October 2020) and a small team of staff and contractors. The restoring forest environment and many successful translocations of iconic species means that Maungatautari is now a major tourist attraction. It also allows an educational experience for schools and visiting groups and for science and research to enhance understanding of New Zealand’s unique biodiversity values. However, being so accessible to such wide and varied groups of people increases the pathway opportunities for pest spread.

Key biosecurity challenges Keeping ‘traditional’ animal pests at bay has been the main focus of the Trust since 2004. In that time 13 of 14 mammalian pest species have been eradicated in stages from the main mountain (inside the fenced area), including: hedgehogs, cats, Norway rats, ship rats, , ferrets, weasels, possums, rabbits, hare, deer, pigs and goats.

Mice are the only introduced mammal known to remain on the mountain and while mouse eradication is technically feasible it is not currently a cost effective option for the Trust. There is no evidence to suggest that uncontrolled mouse populations will be problematic in the long term, however it is important to reinstate mice population assessments on a regular basis (see also section 2.1).

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The following graphic (Figure 3) illustrates on a large scale some of the biosecurity challenges for the project (e.g. generic locations of pedestrian gates, monitoring lines, quad/vehicle track). It also shows the location of the two enclosures (blue and purple), the Tautari Wetland (yellow) and a QE2 block on adjoining private land (green) .

Figure 3: Graphic of the key Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari management elements and structures (as at 2015). Image source: reproduced courtesy of WRC.

Current risk management measures include:

• electronic surveillance around the perimeter, • continual monitoring of the fence and pest status inside the sanctuary, • pest control outside the fence and vigilance and guardianship actions by adjoining landowners.

The pest-proof fence has a 24 hour monitored electronic surveillance system to detect breaches, damage from overhead trees and branches, failure of pedestrian or water gates or failure of the fence itself. Once a month the fence line is inspected in detail. At regular intervals especially following storms, the risks of trees and other forest debris falling onto the fence or blocking streams and culverts (thereby creating pest pathways) are assessed by the fence team. To illustrate what the Trust is ‘up against’, between 2017 and 2020 there were 125 recorded incidents or breaches related to the pest proof surveillance activity (refer to section 2.1 for details). Other biosecurity related work carried out by staff and volunteers includes periodic pest plant/weed control.

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The pathways approach to biosecurity is concerned with preventing the establishment of pests on Maungatautari in the first place rather than responding after a pest has arrived, become established and then discovered. This approach is much more effective than expending significant resources treating an incursion with no certainty of success, hence profiling of the perceived and actual risks is an important first step. As part of the risk profiling process (section 2), consideration is given to answering two key questions: 1. If a non-native organism is detected, or an adverse natural human related action occurs, what is its significance and how urgent is the need to address it? 2. What is the probability or likelihood of the detection or event occurring?

Land tenure and guardianship of Maungatautari Ownership of land and responsibility inside the fenced sanctuary is complex. Approximately one third of the fenced area is in private freehold title or is multiple-owned Maori land. Two thirds of the area is public conservation land (PCL), called Maungatautari Scenic Reserve, and in recent history was referred to as ‘Crown managed land vested in Waipa District Council’ (WDC). A Reserves Committee facilitated by Waipa District Council (WDC) currently administers the reserve.

Running parallel is Te Hapori o Maungatautari, an entity that came into force with the settlement of the Ngati Koroki Kahukura (NKK) Deed of Settlement in 2012 and the resulting NKK Claims Settlement Act 2014. Te Hapori o Maungatautari is the Crown land proprietor of the reserve and is made up of four iwi (Ngati Haua, Raukawa, NKK and Waikato-Tainui). The Mayor of Waipa District is also a member, representing the interests of the wider Waipa community. Under this change the reserve is now deemed community land, instead of Crown land, however the provisions of the Reserves Act remain.

MEIT is made up of three Mana Whenua representatives, three landowners representatives and three community trustees.

1.2 Purpose of the plan

The purpose of the Biosecurity Risk and Pathway Management Plan (BRPMP, or the Plan) is to:

• Identify the current and possible future risk organisms, and risk activities carried by the Trust that may impact on the integrity of the Maungatautari operation.

• Document mitigation steps to overcome or reduce the risks.

• Outline the need and requirements of MEIT to respond in the advent of incursions and breaches, including identifying training opportunities.

• Examine climate change risks, identify potential incursions that may threaten the Maunga and prepare contingencies for the future.

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• Facilitate discussion at an operational level that maintains up-to-date standard operating procedures (via an Operational Plan and other protocols) as clear guidelines for staff and volunteers.

The primary audiences for this Plan are the staff and volunteers, associated with the Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari operation. This Plan is also written for key stakeholders and funding partners who interact with the SMM operation daily and whose actions will contribute to the ongoing pest-free nature of the whole operation.

1.3 Scope

The Biosecurity Risk and Pathway Management Plan takes a ‘natural invasion’ and ‘pathways of spread’ approach to biosecurity, where different management measures that aim to reduce or prevent the introduction or spread of pests can be applied to pathways or potential pathways, or to control naturally invading pests.

At the time of reviewing the 2015-2020 Plan New Zealand was in the recovery phase of the global Covid-19 pandemic. This global phenomenon illustrated the necessity for border surveillance, strict border control, surveillance testing and contact tracing. Covid-19 provided an excellent analogy for the Maunga – careful control of what and who enters the sanctuary and to be able to contact trace if any unwanted organism gains entry.

What was in scope for the Plan review

• Perusal of the MEIT Restoration Plan to familiarise key objectives and risk factors. • Desktop review of MEIT Biosecurity Plan and examination of other sanctuary plans. • Develop a table of potential improvements as talking points for review. • Meeting with CEO and key MEIT staff to undertake a stocktake of the current Plan to ascertain what is working and what needs to be altered/ updated/ added to meet the anticipated needs for the Trust over 2021 – 2026. • Interview key staff from Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, DOC, WRC and WDC to ascertain their views on efficacy of current Plan and suggestions for improvements. • Recommendation on how mice could/should be managed. • Engagement with iwi representatives facilitated by the Trust to collate Maori views of biosecurity needs for the Sanctuary. • Develop up the key issues identified to cover– climate, hygiene, increased tourists, aging fence, social media and need for new technology/methods (e.g. detection methods, sniffer dogs, remote sensing, new traps, lures and toxins). • Test issues via discussion with CEO and key staff and agree on what the content of the revised Plan should look like. • Make recommendations of policy changes and actions to improve the current Plan. • Prepare a draft Biosecurity Plan 2021-2026 and submit for CEO and Trust Board to consider.

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Pest pathways into Maungatautari can either be human induced activities (e.g. vehicles/equipment contaminated with seeds or ants) or occur naturally (e.g. avian diseases, fence breaches). Some potential pests, such as myrtle rust (which reached New Zealand during the period of the previous Plan) can be spread by human (from infected cuttings) or natural means (windblown). If it were to establish, its impact on Maungatautari rata and kanuka/manuka may be significant.

Naturally invading pests that impact on Maungatautari (at vastly different levels) include: rats, possums, mustelids and feral cats, which can freely roam the outside perimeter of the fence trying to penetrate inside, and extends to nuisance birds (e.g. mynas and rosellas) which have uncontrolled access to the whole mountain, through to wind borne seeds of pest plants such as pampas and some exotic vines.

The Plan sets out goals and mitigation measures, including where relevant biosecurity standards to be met which are tailored for Maungatautari (‘Maungatautari biosecurity standards’). There is no prescription for what a Biosecurity Plan of this nature should contain but a standard could be attained via collaboration with other fenced sanctuaries.

Biosecurity at Maungatautari has several similarities with many offshore island biosecurity requirements. Island biosecurity is almost exclusively focused on pest spread through human activity pathways. However, protecting Maungatautari is more complex in that being terrestrial and more easily accessible, incursions are equally likely to be natural or human induced and arguably may occur more frequently. To make the best use of resources and existing practices, some generic concepts of offshore island biosecurity plans have been considered in the development and subsequent review of this Plan.

The BRPMP acknowledges that there are existing projects and programmes run by the Trust to manage pests and pest pathways. The Operational Plan of the Biosecurity Plan contains detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for key mitigation measures identified, such as dealing with fence breaches and incursions. It is recommended that ‘Maungatautari biosecurity standards’ are developed and included as part of this plan (e.g. standards for operating the nursery, and for any importation of materials or equipment into the Sanctuary) or will be developed as required through the implementation of this plan. It is noted that DOC SOPs on control for many pest species are now quite dated.

The BRPMP is written based on a collaborative approach by stakeholders to manage Maungatautari’s unique environment and operation. It has been developed with input from MEIT trustees, Mana Whenua, local/regional/central government, research providers/experts and adjoining landowners, an indication of the wide support for keeping pests and unwanted organisms out of Maungatautari.

In the course of review discussions with key stakeholders the following issues were identified to be addressed in this Plan - climate change and potential impacts from more intensive storms, droughts, resilience of species, offering refugia to other threatened species, increased risk of fire, developing connections for biodiversity corridors in all directions (e.g. a Halo around the Maunga), adopting new technology for monitoring, surveillance, and education on biosecurity threats. As a consequence of the Covid-19

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pandemic the Trust should review procedures to be followed for surveillance to remain effective in a lockdown situation.

While the Trust will lead the implementation of the BRPMP, it is anticipated that the various stakeholders, utilising their specific areas of expertise and influence will:

• Identify synergies and improvements to existing programmes and procedures,

• Share information of relevance to the Biosecurity Plan, and

• Promote the overall intent of the Biosecurity Plan.

1.4 Duration and review of the plan

This Plan is the second iteration of the original Plan, and covers a nominal five year period 2021 to 2026, after which it should be comprehensively reviewed to ensure it is still relevant for the Trust and key stakeholders.

However, given the dynamic nature of biosecurity, where new pest incursions or pest incursions into new areas can occur at any time, operational activities involving biosecurity prevention or control measures should be reported upon and reviewed annually (via an annual review of the Operational Plan). It is unlikely that the need for a BRPMP will decline, rather different measures and requirements will continuingly need to be tailored to reflect evolving situations. This Plan will remain a ‘living document’.

1.5 Definitions of Biosecurity for this plan

Context ‘Biosecurity’ encompasses the measures taken to protect valuable biological systems from the harmful effects of introduced pests and diseases. ‘Pests and diseases’ include: introduced plants, animals, invertebrates and micro-organisms. Under the right conditions a range of pests from all these pest groups could cause significant ecological impacts on Maungatautari.

At a practical level, biosecurity is the exclusion, eradication or effective management of the risks produced or imposed by pests and diseases to the economy, environment and human health. Biosecurity at Maungatautari is more than just controlling pest organisms, it includes pathway management and managing the actions of people.

‘Exclusion’ in a Maungatautari context means different things. It refers to the prevention of pests from establishing in an area or place (e.g. climbing spindleberry is not currently known on the mountain and it would be important to prevent it ever establishing). Exclusion also relates to the pest proof fence (Xcluder™) which excludes mammalian species from the sanctuary. The inside perimeter of the fence is constantly monitored to ensure pests cannot get into the sanctuary area.

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‘Eradication’ also has more than one meaning for Maungatautari. The Trust has successfully eradicated many pest species from the enclosed mountain area. However, if for example Argentine ants were detected having arrived in nursery equipment, all efforts would be made to eradicate the incursion before they could spread into the sanctuary.

For some pests or diseases it will never be practicable to exclude or eradicate them (e.g. gorse seeds have a very long seedbank life and gorse is prevalent through the whole country, pampas seeds can blow up to 25km in wind, and rodents and mustelids will be forever present outside of the sanctuary attempting to breach the perimeter fence).

Prevention of many airborne pest plant seeds self-introducing, or airborne pathogens, would be impossible to manage. In these situations, once detected, the objective would be to ‘effectively manage’ the risks, for example through containment measures, or where practicable reducing infestations or populations overtime, or instigating buffer areas to help shield the values to be protected from the full impacts, through to carrying out advocacy and social marketing initiatives.

Biosecurity responsibilities The Biosecurity Act 1993 (BSA) guides pest management in New Zealand. It has three main purposes:

• To prevent new pests (or unwanted organisms) from entering the country,

• To manage pests that are already established in the country, and

• To manage pathways of pest spread.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is responsible for managing/mitigating pre-border biosecurity risks (e.g. enforcing standards for importation of coco peat fibre at the overseas exporting port) and undertaking responses for new to New Zealand pest incursions (e.g. Queensland fruit fly). Regional councils/unitary authorities are primarily responsible for managing pests already established in New Zealand and are management agencies for the development of regional pest management plans (RPMPs). RPMPs determine which organisms are legally declared pests, which in turn triggers a range of different management responses.

The Waikato Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) 2014 -20242 includes a number of pests where the Waikato Regional Council (WRC) is responsible for control (e.g. dama wallaby, alligator weed) and others where land occupiers are required to control the pests (e.g. rabbits, woolly nightshade), based on risk assessments, affordability, cost/benefit analyses, likelihood of success and other BSA derived criteria.

Some well-established, widespread, nuisance pests such as ship/Norway rats, jasmine and tradescantia have no legal pest status under the Waikato RPMP, therefore there is no requirement for land occupiers to control them and no expectation on WRC to fund control

2 Refer to www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/Council/Policy-and-plans/Regional-Pest-Management-Plan/RPMP/. Note: the RPMP is under review as at November 2020 and a new Plan is to be proposed in early to mid-2021.

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work. However, they are listed as ‘advisory pests’ in the RPMP3 and control is promoted on a site-led basis across the region, carried out by willing communities where local control initiatives are deemed most appropriate to protect a site. Other weeds (e.g. oxalis and convolvulus) have no status at all but can still be controlled by the same willing parties above, at their cost.

Under a 2012 Biosecurity Act amendment, regional authorities and other parties have the ability to develop targeted pathway management plans to enable better control of pest spread or potential pest spread. In the future some of the biosecurity actions undertaken now by MEIT or proposed to be undertaken under this Plan may be subject to requirements of regional pathway management plans.

MEIT has responsibilities for site-specific pest control, at two levels:

• Mandatorily as a land occupier, being bound by the provisions of the Waikato RPMP (e.g. if a declared pest, such as woolly nightshade, is found on Maungatautari or surrounding land occupied by the Trust land then the Trust is responsible for its control), and

• Voluntarily as a sanctuary manager. MEIT has objectives to control a range of pests and pest threats for the successful operation of the SMM project. There is no regulation or compulsion for MEIT to control the majority of the pests currently managed, other than via an MOU with Waipa District Council.

The prevention and control of pests is the Trust’s most expensive and time consuming activity, along with fence maintenance.

1.6 Other relevant legislation

Other key Acts which guide the activities of the Trust include the Conservation Act (1987) and the Wildlife Act (1953). The Conservation Act provides the Department of Conservation (DOC) with its key mandate to operate. Its purpose is to promote the conservation of New Zealand’s natural and historic resources. One of the key activities of DOC is arresting and reversing the decline of indigenous biodiversity by managing threatened species and ecosystems on PCL, including taking account of biosecurity considerations under the Biosecurity Act. The Trust is required to work closely with DOC in the management of all indigenous species under its ecological island operation.

The Wildlife Act deals with the protection and control of wild animals and the management of game birds. Under the provisions of the Wildlife Act most species of wildlife, native or introduced, are protected. Part 5 of the Act covers a range of provisions, including authorising and permitting translocations of animals or birds (e.g. relocations of riflemen to Maungatautari from elsewhere in New Zealand). Translocation of iconic species and their subsequent management is a core activity of the Trust. Biosecurity risk considerations play a role in species releases and proactive/reactive pest management is strongly associated with species ongoing management.

3 Many of the plants in this advisory category are nationally banned from sale, propagation and distribution.

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1.7 Components of the Plan

Section 1 has provided a background to the Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari project and the BRPMP and summarised the main biosecurity issues facing MEIT.

Section 2 profiles the pest and pathway risks, using specific criteria developed for the Plan, and summarises the key risks to focus on in a general priority order.

Section 3 outlines the broad goals of the Plan, set within the three guiding principles (prevention, detection and response), then details the different actions to be implemented (referred to as management measures) depending on the situation. To achieve the goals of the BRPMP numerous activities need to occur, primarily instigated by MEIT through its various staff and volunteer groups. These actions fall into the broad categories depicted in Figure 4, which basically shows that the scope of the Plan includes all of the elements below.

Coordination

Social Marketing

Risk Surveillance Measures Response Long-term profiling measures to prevent measures for management of arrival of new to pests already new pests Maungatautari established in the pests Maungatautari area

Research

Performance measurement

Scope of the Biosecurity Plan

Figure 4: Components of, and actions required through, the Maungatautari Ecological Island Biosecurity Risk and Pathway Management Plan.

The timing of implementation of the different components will be determined largely by the operational calendar for MEIT activities and subject to resource availability, both through internal capacity and across the stakeholder partners who have contributed to this Plan.

Recommendations (including some immediate next steps) are made in section 4, and key references listed in section 5. Appendix 1 covers detailed risk assessments for a wide range of threats.

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2. Pest Pathways Into Maungatautari

2.1 Risk profiling

To ensure that the information collected on biosecurity risks to Maungatautari is reflected in management activities, detailed pest and pathway information is gathered and any knowledge gaps identified. This process is referred to as risk profiling. The purpose of risk profiling is to identify the actual and potential biosecurity threats to the project and analyse then rank each threat if possible in priority order, based on the significance of each threat and the probability of it occurring.

Through necessity, some of the analysis has been undertaken at a ‘desk-top’ level and some pests have been grouped together, where clearly, they have a low impact (e.g. exotic pest birds). The profiling, impact analysis and ranking exercise carried out in this section supports all four goals, as outlined in section 3.1, primarily through focusing effort on the highest risk pathways and pests.

From an analysis of breach information recorded and collated by MEIT staff over the past three years (2017-2020) data can be summarised as follows (note: that this data relates to the pest proof fence surveillance activity):

• Mouse capture within cells -15 • Pest sighting -2 • Weasel capture -5 • Hood damage - 9 • Fence breaches - 47 • Rat capture -15 • Rat tracking - 13 • Other - 3 (Pedestrian gate ajar etc). • Culvert open - 16

What this data indicates is that the fence breaches, hood damage and culvert breaches are the incidents that create the risk of incursions. It is apparent that predators are constantly patrolling the pest proof fence seeking access routes. This makes the prompt response to a breach alert so important. As vegetation within the sanctuary is managed to reduce the risk of windthrow and branch fracturing, the incidence of breaches through this means should reduce over time. There are so many large trees within the fence however, that this risk can never be wholly mitigated.

When data from all incursions is analysed it illustrates the species incidents and the magnitude of how vulnerable the fence is. The following data summarises the numbers of tracking and trapping captures recorded Jan. 2015 to Oct. 2020:

• Trapped (weasel -10; ship rat -36; Norway rat -3; mouse -8) • Tracked (mainly mice – 574).

This indicates the propensity of mice on the main mountain showing up in tracking tunnels, and surprisingly the distribution of weasels over the Maunga. The question arises as to whether weasels have a breeding population within the sanctuary, or are they all via incursions from the surrounding farmland? After an intensive detector dog sweep of the Maunga in November 2020 (part of a DOC led training programme) there is good evidence there are no weasels resident inside the fence. It is encouraging that no stoats have been

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detected or trapped within the sanctuary over this period. Regarding mice, however, it is important that the Trust re-establishes annual mice monitor lines using the DOC protocols4 in order that trend monitoring of population densities are tracked. It is assumed that populations are seasonally variable but static year to year. The impact upon invertebrate species may be significant in some localities, but with no data to support this contention it is an area in which more information is needed. Overseas research indicates that any introduction of burrowing bird species such as petrels may be severely impacted by mice populations and localised mice control would be essential.

In terms of risk assessment this information supports the need for a review of monitoring techniques to see if additional tools can provide more insight and knowledge on the incursions, and subsequent dispersion on the mountain. For example, the increased application of trail cameras and the emerging (Kiwi Rescue) image recognition tool are two options. The application of ClassifyMe software using artificial intelligence for species identification via automatic secure digital (SD) card processing is another concept. There is also a possibility of investigating mustelid and rat monitoring using acoustic recording (potentially in collaboration with Landcare Research and Predator Free 2050).

2.2 Determining significance and probability criteria

With regard to the coloured graphic below, Table 1 has been developed to help understand the significance of pest incursions onto the Maunga, as they impact on the:

• Translocations of iconic species, • Reputation or mana of the project, and the • Overall Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari visitor experience.

The table shows: High (based on immediate impacts), Medium (impacts over time) and Low (little or no impact) categories, with a placeholder category for uncertainty. A range of pest and pathway examples are shown where appropriate to illustrate the statements made.

Table 2, following, sets out probability criteria with statements made on the likelihood of pest and H pathway incidents occurring, considering

presence/absence and time-based factors, also using

M High, Medium and Low categories. e

cance

L

2.3 Risk analysis of actual and potential Signifi pests and pest pathways Significanc L M H Given the ease of access, high usage and the terrestrial nature of Maungatautari, there are many Probability pathway opportunities for pests. Appendix 1 contains

4 https://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/science-and-technical/inventory-monitoring/im-toolbox-animal-pests-tracking- tunnel-indices-of-small-mammal-abundance.pdf

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an extensive table detailing each pest/taxa (or group of pests), their impacts, significance and probability rankings and summarises possible mitigation measures. The coloured graphic prior helps with analysing the relative rankings of the risks or risk groupings identified. The highest biosecurity risks are those with high to medium/high rankings (red squares), medium risks (yellow squares) and low to low/medium risks (green squares).

Table 1: Significance criteria

High Medium Low Uncertain

1. May immediately kill or May at any time kill or remove individual remove individuals of threatened or common or widespread translocated species native species. (birds, reptiles, fish, amphibians, bats and (e.g. weasel/) invertebrates).

(e.g. avian diseases,

mustelids)

2. May immediately affect May in time limit the establishment of a populations of valued May restrict dominance Some potential, threatened or native species if allowed or species occupancy in threat identified translocated species to establish (e.g. plague the long term, but: but substantial (birds, reptiles, fish, skink), uncertainty about amphibians, bats and a) not immediately, the significance or invertebrates). OR reputational b) little or no effect on damage. (e.g. ship rat, Norway May in time invade the key species, rat fence or culvert forest interior and alter Place pest or damage due to storm vegetation or be c) little or no significant pathway on a event) expensive to remove. or relevant damage to ‘watch list’ and (e.g. climbing the reputation or mana research as spindleberry) of the project, or appropriate.

d) little or no effect on 3. May immediately and May in time damage the overall project and seriously damage the reputation or mana of visitor experience. reputation or mana of the Maungatautari

the Maungatautari project.

project. (e.g. nuisance bird (e.g. roadside weeds species, deliberate (e.g. deliberate fence allowed to advance ungulate releases) damage) towards and into the sanctuary)

4. May immediately impact May in time impact on on the overall visitor the overall visitor experience. experience if not addressed. (e.g. serious wasp infestations) (e.g. deferred fence maintenance)

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Table 2: Probability criteria (likelihood)

High Medium Low Uncertain

1. The organism is known The organism is known The organism is not Some potential to be in the ecological to be in the country or known in the country threat identified, district, and it is wider Waikato region (but it may be in but substantial inevitable it will access (but not known locally) neighbouring countries). uncertainty about the mountain and it is a short to the likelihood of immediately or within a medium matter of time an adverse event short period (months/years) before it In the event of a new to occurring. (hours/days) of the arrives in the ecological New Zealand incursion a fence being district and is in a response would be compromised. position to impact on the nationally coordinated. Place pest or mountain in some way. pathway on a (e.g. weasel) ‘watch list’ and (e.g. Argentine ant) research as appropriate. OR OR OR

2. The pathway action is The pathway action is of The chances of the such that pests could a medium to long term pathway spread access the mountain nature and is dependent opportunity is small and immediately or within on other negative it is unlikely to be a hours/days as soon as an actions occurring, at a realistic or potential opportunity presents similar time, to threat. itself and an organism is eventuate. present. (e.g. soil creep/erosion (e.g. untrimmed foliage over time of the pest- touching on either side proof fence of the fence). foundations)

There are nine groupings of pests identified in Appendix 1. Many are split into those species present in New Zealand (and are either known in the district or in other parts of New Zealand) and those species not known in New Zealand and their effects are uncertain. Twelve pest pathways are identified, including one natural pathway (vegetation growth) and 11 human induced pathways. They are all colour coded regarding overall risk/threat to the Maunga.

Highest ranked actual or potential pests/pathway threats are highlighted (red) and include:

• fence damage through storm events; • all mammalian predators outside of fenced area (e.g. possum, ferret, stoat, weasel, ship rat); • tree canopies and vegetation touching either side of the fence; • faulty fence components and mechanisms; • adjoining landowner actions and potential for sabotage; • vehicle movements into and around the sanctuary; and

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• mice on the main mountain (predation on invertebrates).

Damage to the fence and its mechanisms represents the greatest pathway opportunity, along with tree canopy growth connecting above the fence. The numbers of mammalian pests outside the fence that may try to breach it and enter are also a constant threat. This analysis confirms the strong emphasis the Trust puts on managing fence breaches and ensuring its integrity through dedicated inspection, maintenance and pest monitoring activities.

Medium ranked biosecurity threats are highlighted (yellow) and include:

• pest plants – introduced climbing vines and invasive trees and shrubs; ground cover spp selaginella, tradescantia • materials and supplies; • increased visitor numbers; • wasps, Argentine ants and plague skinks; • visitors (and staff/volunteers) unwittingly bringing in pests; • fence damage through wear and tear, including land subsidence/erosion; • public/private access roads up to mountain; and • internal tracks and roads.

Lowest ranked biosecurity risks are highlighted (green) and include:

• equipment/tools; • other mammal species (e.g. goat, deer, pigs, rabbits); and • exotic birds.

Uncertain biosecurity risks are highlighted (grey) and include:

• pathogens (avian / plant diseases) may be significant but the probability of them entering the Maunga is mostly unknown; • birds absent from the region and vagrants that may self- introduce; • insects unknown in New Zealand, including four ant species • Darwin’s ant which is present, and • named exclusion pest plants which are not in the region; • fire from either outside fence or inside fence from chainsaw, vehicle etc; and • spray drift from adjoining property (this risk is not directly related to biosecurity).

Figure 5: Mahoenui giant weta enjoy freedom on the Maunga without pests. Photo supplied courtesy RNZ.

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3. The Biosecurity Plan

3.1 Aim, goals and objectives

The overall aim of the Biosecurity Plan is to eliminate or mitigate where possible the risks of pests and diseases impacting on the Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari operation. The desired outcome of the Biosecurity Plan mirrors in part the mission and purpose of the Trust:

To share the Mauri and Mana of the Maunga

Plainly put, biosecurity is everyone’s business. To remain effective, biosecurity needs to be forever. There are three guiding principles to consider in achieving the aim:

➢ The need to identify invasive pests and pest pathways and put in place practical measures to prevent new invasions from occurring,

➢ Identifying suitable surveillance measures to enable detection of invasive pests, and

➢ Establishing and evaluating response measures for new to Maungatautari pests and established pests, respectively.

The aim and overall outcome of the Plan are supported by four goals:

1. The primary goal is to ensure no predators/herbivores enter the Maunga via the pest proof fence.

2. The second goal is to implement appropriate surveillance and monitoring methods to ensure the predator/herbivore free status of the Maunga is maintained.

3. The third goal is to have a state of preparedness for any incursions, or threats to the integrity of the Maunga.

4. The fourth goal is to make biosecurity hygiene and awareness foremost in the minds of all staff, volunteers and visitors to the Maunga.

Goals (with key objectives) are further expanded on in section 3.2.

Practical, workable systems need to be established that ensure potential threats to Maungatautari are clearly identified, understood and communicated to all Maungatautari staff, volunteers and visitors. Response methods, for new or long term pests must be considered in full knowledge that threatened species are present and that harm cannot come to them. Threatened species vary across the mountain, control measures will need to vary also.

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Figure 6: Kaka are thriving at SMM. Photo courtesy of Horizons Regional Council.

3.2 Goals and objectives

Goal 1: Ensure no predators/herbivores enter the Maunga via the pest proof fence.

• Fence maintenance protocols are observed, incursion detection and responses are immediate, results are recorded, and protocols are observed. Responsibility lies with the Operations Team Manager (as with the following activities).

• Regular fence inspections are conducted, access gates, pedestrian gates, earthworks/fill, culverts and watergates are inspected and maintained in 100% pest proof condition.

• Vegetation inspections are conducted systematically, and any risk situations are scheduled and implemented in a timely manner.

• Any adjoining landowner practices that may pose a threat to the fence or the sanctuary’s integrity are immediately brought to the attention of the CEO via an incident report.

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• Regular inspections of the northern enclosure fence to ensure tuatara burrowing does not compromise the pest proof status.

Goal 2: Implement appropriate surveillance and monitoring methods to ensure the predator free status of the Maunga is maintained.

• Ensure that the surveillance and monitoring systems adopted are being applied in the appropriate manner, and that results are recorded and analysed in a timely and accurate way. Responsibility lies with the Operations Team Manager.

• It is vital that materials are always on hand for monitoring to be undertaken without impediments, and that personnel undertaking the work are fully briefed on the importance of timing, recording, accuracy and thoroughness. Next to the fence security the monitoring is the most important facet of MEIT’s success.

• An independent audit and review of the monitoring design, practice and technology employed (ideally) within the first year of this plan will prove beneficial. Most of the practices have been used without substantial change for many years, and it will be valuable to test the protocol.

Goal 3: Ensure a heightened state of preparedness exists for any incursions, or threats to the integrity of the Maunga.

• Ensure that response plans are in place and able to be activated at any stage. Close liaison with Emergency Management personnel at Waipa District Council and Incursion response staff at MPI is necessary so that respective parties are aware of capabilities and activation procedures. Responsibility rests with the Operations Team Manager.

• MEIT protocols and SOP’s must be kept current and personnel are fully aware of their individual responsibilities in relation to responses.

• Communication with all parties involved is constant, that materials are on hand and ready to be deployed and that volunteers are engaged and fully briefed.

• Landowners must be aware of the immediacy of an incursion so that access issues do not prevent a rapid response.

Goal 4: Make biosecurity hygiene and awareness foremost in staff’s minds, and all volunteers and visitors to the Maunga.

• Responsibility rests with the CEO to instil biosecurity awareness as a fundamental principle of MEIT’s way of working.

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3.3 Management measures (and other actions)

3.3.1 Co-ordination

Staff, volunteers and stakeholders will work together to implement the Plan, develop synergies and share and promote the key messages to those people/organisations also involved in Biosecurity

MEIT will provide oversight and coordinate implementation of the Plan, including delivery of many of the operational activities identified in the following sections. Supporting a cooperative approach to biosecurity management in Maungatautari will require participation of the various parties in meetings when appropriate. Consultation and advice from stakeholders and other agencies (e.g. research providers) on particular matters that arise relevant to the Plan will continue to be sought.

Specific management measures are summarised in the table below.

Responsibility Actions Comments (feasibility/costs)

CEO/ Encourage other mainland island ecological The aim is to identify programmes to Trustees projects to promote development of a support or widen the Biosecurity Plan’s Biosecurity Plan within their organisations for goals. their projects, through sharing of ideas and initiatives outlined in this plan.

Biodiversity team Maintain relationships with appropriate DOC DOC has responsibilities for enhancing staff on any biosecurity related wildlife or biodiversity on Crown land and conservation matter relevant to the implementing the Wildlife Act regarding Maungatautari project. translocations.

Biodiversity team Maintain relationships with DOC, WRC and Regional biosecurity leadership rests WDC staff on any local/regional/national primarily with WRC. Biosecurity and Biodiversity related issues – particularly status changes of various pest organisms (actual and potential).

Biodiversity team Via specialist advisors to the project and Seek early advice on possible mitigation through MPI advisories, keep up-to-date with steps and implement preparedness likely pathogens and bird diseases and related planning where appropriate (e.g. myrtle issues which may impact on the project. rust is a significant potential threat).

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Trustees/ Investigate establishment of a community This idea was mooted when the project Biodiversity team mustelid/rodent trapping programme around commenced. Technology has moved high risk areas outside5 of the pest-proof fence, on, so too may wider community to reduce densities of these pests which could interest in tackling this project. Effort impact in cases of fence breaches. could initially focus on high risk areas, (e.g. areas with breach history, around Note: At the time of writing, Predator Free problem culverts etc). Cambridge had commenced planning with MEIT to create more synergies between the two projects, such as pest free corridors between the Maunga and the town.

Trustees/CEO Maintain positive and harmonious relations Regular communications and seek to with all adjoining landowners in a meaningful resolve disputes without compromising and practical way. project goals.

Biodiversity team Maintain regular dialogue with WRC pest Public roads and margins of forest plant contractors regarding the various pest provide a key vector for exotic weeds to plant issues and weed status outside of the be introduced. Develop an annual main mountain which may impact on its inspection with WRC of risk pathways. biodiversity values.

3.3.2 Social marketing

Reduce the risk of pests and diseases adversely affecting Maungatautari by changing peoples (staff, volunteers, landowners and visitors) attitudes and behaviours.

The purpose of a social marketing programme would be to change behaviours by increasing awareness of the risks invasive organisms pose to Maungatautari and encouraging people to take specific actions to avoid introducing risk organisms. Social marketing to promote voluntary behaviour change is desirable because Maungatautari is a large, publicly accessible area with at least 20 different pest pathways potentially affecting the Maungatautari operation. Enforcement of bylaws is generally viewed as undesirable, being too costly and difficult.

Using social marketing to change behaviour is incremental and cannot be expected to immediately change the behaviour of users. A social marketing programme would aim to increase:

• Awareness of general biosecurity issues and the risks introduced organisms pose to Maungatautari (e.g. a Pest Plant ‘Dirty Dozen’ to look out for and report).

• The positive use of human behaviours which prevent introductions to Maungatautari.

5 High risk areas include habitat and corridors likely to facilitate pest access to the fence, sites of repeated breach incidents, and culverts.

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• Awareness of the measures being undertaken to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species (e.g. specific signage around searching bags for stowaways), and

• Awareness of how to identify unwanted organisms and how to report detections. www.iNaturalist.nz is a smart phone based application for bio-recording, plant identification etc. The recent development of a phone app Findapest (www.findapest.nz) should be investigated as a tool for staff and volunteers to use when encountering something unusual or unknown. Both apps will be an invaluable resource for staff and volunteers.

Key messages The key messages to be promoted through a programme would include:

• How to identify introduced organisms by observing any unusual or unfamiliar species (and how to report/ what to do about it).

• What the community stands to lose if the fence is compromised in any way.

• Encouraging the use of MEIT’s website or reception to make reports, and

• Ensuring bags, clothing, equipment, vehicles and materials are checked for stowaways and contaminated material (e.g. soil) before coming to Maungatautari.

Target audiences The social marketing programme would target the following groups:

• Staff and contractors involved in day-to-day work • Volunteers who regularly go into the main mountain • Other occasional volunteers less involved in day-to-day activities • Members of the Trust, who may visit on occasion • Mana whenua • Adjoining landowners • Visitors – independent travellers and tourist groups • People attending special events that wouldn’t ordinarily visit Maungatautari • Environmental groups, and • Schools and tertiary institutions.

Delivery mechanisms Social marketing messages can be disseminated in many ways, including codes of practice and through traditional media. Codes of practice are a non-regulatory tool for encouraging desired behaviours. In remote locations, where compliance with regulatory measures is difficult to enforce, it is critical to work with users to identify practical and reasonable measures to reduce biosecurity risks.

Other media that could be used include:

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• Upgrading of visitor entrance and ticketing area, ‘forcing’ people to go through one entry point to the southern mountain facilities.

• Brochures and posters – in reception area, on visitor routes, nursery, depot.

• Articles in stakeholder publications, local community newspapers (e.g. , Cambridge, Tokoroa).

• Signage – at reception, the wetland and two enclosures, along with physical equipment and boot cleaning stations.

• MEIT and Sanctuary Mountain websites, and

• Direct mail (to all adjoining landowners).

Management measures This Plan outlines a simple but targeted social marketing campaign for people who interact with the Maungatautari project in some way – see table below. It could be achieved at a scale and cost relative to the need.

The majority of other social marketing management measures relate to prevention methods, which are discussed in fuller detail in section 3.3.4. Biosecurity components of social science surveys could also be simply designed to determine changes in awareness and behaviour over time (this is discussed in section 3.3.7 ‘Performance Measurement’).

Responsibility Actions Comments (feasibility/costs)

General Develop a biosecurity social marketing Implementation of this social marketing Manager/marketing campaign targeted especially for programme can be as big or small and advisors ‘Maungatautari’s whanau’ that leverages targeted as deemed appropriate but off the ideas and initiatives of national will require MEIT to work with a campaigns. number of agencies. It would be an ideal project for a post graduate university student to undertake.

A key element could be development of a code of practice for visitors.

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3.3.3 Surveillance

Expand survey activities and increase capability among staff and volunteers to provide for enhanced early detection, via active and passive surveillance. Outcome sought: Surveillance programmes increase the chance of detecting pests sufficiently early to enable eradication or control and should involve volunteers and stakeholders in a way that builds awareness and support for the project. (Note: the focus of this section is heavily weighted to pest animals - predators and herbivores - but is widened to include other threats).

The main purpose of surveillance is to detect potential pest species early on to enable effective eradication or control efforts. Hence, surveillance needs to be aligned with incursion response strategies, for example, surveillance should target likely points of introduction where active response to new invasions would be seriously considered. The key measures in this section include physical fence surveillance and the pest monitoring programmes, which are closely linked with prevention measures, in the case of breaches, as outlined in section 3.3.4. Other MEIT operational / standard operational procedures (SOP) documents contain full details of these vital activities carried out by the Trust (such as the Operational Plan for the given year, SOP for fence breach responses and SOP monitoring protocols.

Surveillance within and around Maungatautari needs to be a combination of active and passive surveillance. Active surveillance is where predetermined, targeted survey work is carried out to detect risk organisms, for example the intensive mammalian monitoring undertaken inside the sanctuary. Passive surveillance relies on staff/volunteers and the general public who are “out and about” to notice and report risk organisms that are new to an area.

Active surveillance Opportunities to undertake surveillance either as a specific project or as a ‘tag on’ to other work, for example, regular fence monitoring, will need to be identified. Specific, contracted surveillance for ‘all of Maungatautari biosecurity’ could be undertaken, if required, but this type of surveillance can be costly and investment would need to be prioritised against other investments such as prevention activities. Training of volunteers on surveillance methods, coordinated by MEIT staff, would be beneficial. It is essential that those undertaking surveillance activities are aware of which organisms are of concern and how to report detections.

Passive surveillance A surveillance guide for use by “non-experts” that includes an uncomplicated but standard methodology for surveillance is recommended to assist in raising public awareness of the impact of risk organisms and training in the recognition of pest species. Surveillance effort should focus on a target list of recognised pest species, and an attempt to detect any organism that is unusual or unfamiliar. Achieving the right level of surveillance is the key, balancing cost and capability against risk and opportunity. The most effective line of defence for the Trust will be active management of high risk and known pathways and pests.

Key management measures / surveillance proposals are summarised in the following table which provides specific (ongoing) advice on surveillance needed for key risk areas.

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Responsibility (active) Action s Comments (feasibility/costs)

Fence team Fence surveillance:

(a) Maintain the 24 hour monitored Fence surveillance is the principal and most vital surveillance system to detect action the Trust carries out. MEIT has a breaches, damage caused by comprehensive fence surveillance, monitoring overhead trees/branches and failure and maintenance programme to maintain the of pedestrian/water gates, integrity of the project.

(b) Quarterly inspect the entire fence line on foot to ensure the fence remains in excellent functional condition, and any pest plant establishment is documented.

(c) At least monthly and during/after storm events, inspect and assess the risk of trees/forest debris falling onto or otherwise impacting on the functionality of the fence.

Culverts and watergates require a scheduled monthly check, and inspection whenever Operations staff passing deem it necessary.

Fence hood integrity is important as faults are hard to pick up and provide ready access for predators.

Fence and hood lichen and moss treatment is required on a regular basis to reduce deterioration of fence components. Spraying needs to be scheduled annually / biennially.

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Biodiversity Pest monitoring - maintain an Keeping grass and other vegetation controlled team/STAP appropriate mammal tracking (tunnel around the inside of the pest-proof fence is volunteers monitoring) network within the critical to ensure the monitoring tunnels work as sanctuary area to monitor for pest intended. presence (see comments opposite): The monitoring routine follows a consistent Readers are referred to MEIT internal process, being baited with peanut butter, a rat, procedures to do with pest animal cat or mustelid lure, and left in place for one monitoring. week.

Care should be taken in linking any animal (a) On a four weekly cycle, cards are detected to a fence breach. It is often difficult to placed inside each fence line tunnel, directly pinpoint the specific cause and effect. around the enclosures, in the two enclosures and Tautari wetland It is crucial to retain the current infrastructure of tunnels, tags and track markers so that the track network can be utilised for monitoring at any stage. Some (b) In February, May, August and new tracks off ridges may be necessary to cover October, cards are placed in all diverse habitats for pest detection. tunnels across the ‘whole of the mountain network’, and This detail highlights another pertinent issue for MEIT – the necessity to programme and budget (c) Cards are collected after a week to for regular track maintenance. It is an enormous allow expert assessment of any task for volunteers and needs to be done potential mammal tracks. Through systematically with high quality track marking this pest surveillance programme the and data recording in the GIS system. There are ongoing pest free status of the many benefits from having a good track network reserves will be monitored and any - biosecurity is a primary one. biosecurity or fence breaches identified.

NOTE - This Plan proposes that an expert panel be formed to review the adequacy of monitoring for the project, with expertise from other sanctuaries, Landcare Research, DOC and Predator Free 2050.

Biodiversity Develop and implement an ‘in-house’ Commercial properties follow set protocols for team/volunteers ant surveillance programme that ant detection by placing bait/lure at regular enables detection of high risk ants spacings around edges of buildings and risk (Argentine, Darwin’s) during spring areas. and summer, that focuses on six key places – those areas that need The same approach could be used for the six risk protection from ants (main entrances areas described. to the two enclosures, including the aviary within the southern enclosure and Tautari wetland) and the two most likely source/distribution areas (the nursery and vehicle/storage depot).

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Biodiversity During the spring/summer growing The current WRC pest plant contractor team/pest plant season, a dedicated pest plant team undertakes an informal surveillance programme contractor/ (comprising WRC contractor, MEIT and liaises with Waipa District Council regarding volunteer reps) undertake a whole of mountain roadside maintenance. This approach relies on a (around the margins and out to 2- more formalised input from all the parties, 3km) weed/pest plant surveillance (including a dedicated pest plant MEIT exercise, targeting public roads and staffer/volunteer) and regular, targeted private tracks/races leading to the surveillance of known and likely risk areas and mountain. pest plants. See also prevention measures (section 3.3.4) regarding other proposed pest plant initiatives.

Responsibility Actions Comments (feasibility/costs) (passive)

MEIT staff/ Encourage staff/volunteers to step Responses, if any, will be considered by the volunteers up their surveillance, observation and Biodiversity team on the observed or potential reporting of things that are ‘out of the impacts. A recording system will need to be ordinary’ for Maungatautari, established. including:

• wasp nests establishing in or close to high use areas for Of concern for the visitor experience would be visitors. wasp nests establishing in the two enclosures, • nuisance birds, where they especially near the main public entrances, in and may harass native birds around the wetland and the visitor centre, during spring nesting season, nursery and depot. or starling colonies creating nest cavity competition, and • diseased, dead or dying plants/trees.

Biodiversity Develop a Maungatautari specific Includes a target list of recognised pest species team surveillance training programme to look out for – those present on the mountain around risk organisms, to enable and those not yet known but high potential. Has implementation of the above ‘out and close links with social marketing and prevention about’ (above) activities, including objectives, including, increasing the overall what to look out for and how to capability to respond to incursions. accurately report detections.

3.3.4 Prevention

Implement management measures to prevent human assisted and natural means of introducing risk organisms to Maungatautari.

Biosecurity prevention measures in this section are focused on two key activities, which are closely linked, preventing invasion through fence breach response efforts and fence maintenance. The key actions are summarised in the following tables. Separate but complementary documents contain full details of these vital activities carried out by the Trust.

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Other key pest prevention measures outlined include; pest plant management initiatives (e.g. writing a pest plant specific strategy or incorporating it within this Plan) and managing all pest pathway aspects of operational activities, namely the nursery/depot and wetland, including the part vehicles play in these activities. Three case studies are included that focus on the importance of the three areas and summarise specific pest prevention proposals tailored for each area.

This section has especially close links with the proposed social marketing programme outlined in section 3.3.2 of the Plan.

Key pest prevention proposals are summarised in the table below.

Responsibility (active ) Actions Comments (feasibility/costs)

Fence team Fence breaches and pest prevention The detection of a fence breach or fence measures: damage by the monitored electric surveillance system requires immediate response. (a) Maintain an immediate and appropriate response capability This response takes the form of a 24 hour, seven among MEIT staff for each and every day a week duty person roster system, including breach regardless of time of day and a duty cell phone and document satchel weather conditions, containing all relevant response plans and key contact details. It also acknowledges that any (b) Respond to all fence breaches predator incursions are most likely to happen at within 90 minutes of notification, night.

(c) Maintain 6m separation at all Note: Fence breach SOP identifies the detailed times between tree canopies/limbs steps to be carried out. where they may overtop the fence on both sides, to prevent opportunistic All breach responses need to be tempered with access to the sanctuary by predators, Health and Safety caveats – there will be and situations that preclude or delay responses until daylight etc. (d) Ensure that no vehicles are parked closer than 4m to the fence, except where actual fence section repair or replacement needs to occur.

Fence team Fence maintenance (including gates Removal of lichen growth on the canopy hood and culverts). Ensure monthly and ensuring no gaps in the fence mesh are surveillance is carried out on all wider than 6mm are some of the measures to components related to the fence to prevent pest invasion. ensure wear and tear is effectively managed and implement replacement Culvert grills deteriorate and require measures as soon as it is practicable. replacement.

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Biodiversity Develop and implement a Maungatautari is free of the worst pest plants in team/ comprehensive Maungatautari Pest the region. It is important that this status is Consultants/ Plant Management Plan, as a maintained. A standalone but linked pest plant WRC pest plant complementary ‘sub-plan’ to this plan will need to incorporate and expand on the team Biosecurity Plan. The Plan’s three mitigation measures contained in this Plan. main objectives are based on: Components of the pest plant plan would cover: • Establishing a specific ‘weedbusting group’ to drive the • Site description, map implementation of the Plan; • Goals of property/site • How weeds could impact on site/goals • Prevention – of new pests • List the present and potential weeds establishing; and (and their likely pathways) • Prioritise weeds/weed categories • Pest management of pests • Weed management plan/management already established. methods, and • Weed hygiene requirements (to Key aspects to consider include: prevent spread).

Prevention Help and support from Waikato Regional • Overall focus on treating the Council’s pest plant team (and local contractor) Maunga (and a 2-3 km buffer is crucial, as is dialogue and relationships with around it) like a country’s border. Waipa DC roading managers. Roading activities • Weed mapping exercise, via GIS (e.g. imported metal) and maintenance (e.g. analysis, and current and likely mowing of road side verges) vector vegetation pest distributions mapped; spread. • Active surveillance – regular dialogue with WRC and WDC and The top 12 pests include: pampas, woolly wider buffer surveys (measures nightshade, wild kiwifruit, tutsan, alligator weed, outlined in section 3.3.3). wild cherry, Japanese honeysuckle, wild ginger, • Awareness programme created – old man’s beard, climbing spindleberry, e.g. writing up a ‘dirty dozen’ list tradescantia and yellow bristle grass. Himalayan of pest plants to promote and honeysuckle, gorse, privet, blackberry and survey for (as part of a wider list ragwort also require significant control. or organisms on a ‘watch list’). Note: the Waikato Regional Pest Management Pest management Plan was undergoing a 10 year review at the time of this writing this Plan. The new RPMP will • Direct control of weeds (e.g. be notified in March/April 2021, and will help blackberry) to maintain fence shape the pests to focus on and other responses. integrity using physical and chemical control methods. Volunteers/staff involved in any pest plant control work using herbicides will need to hold • Working with adjacent and maintain at least the Growsafe Introductory landowners and roading (or equivalent) certificate (preferably an managers on direct pest control. advanced certificate).

• Utilising biological control agents (where available) to manage intractable pests in difficult to access areas, such as broom, gorse, tradescantia.

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All users of the Undertake pest pathway prevention Refer to Case Studies 1-3 in this section for more nursery, depot measures associated with the detail. and wetland. nursery and depot activities and the wetland operation, focusing on:

• advocacy opportunities, including signage, and • adhering to new proposed hygiene standards around cleaning, storage and disposal).

Biodiversity Continue with dedicated screenings Species should be screened pre-transfer to team of all translocations made for exotic reduce the risk of transferring potential bird diseases which could be spread pathogens. The process is outlined in DOC’s to existing bird populations. ‘SOP for Health Management of Terrestrial Vertebrates Protected under the Wildlife Act’.

Case Study 1: Nursery operation

Background

MEIT volunteers established a nursery operation (Figure 7) to provide plant material for the Maunga some 10 years ago. The purpose of the nursery is to provide for the revegetation of areas previously weed infested or in pasture (e.g. the gorse paddock near the end of Maru Road and the Tari wetland area).

Native seedlings are propagated both off- site (typically at the properties of volunteers) and at the nursery. The nursery operation involves re-potting seedlings to bigger pots using potting mix brought to the site. Pots and planter bags are generally all recycled and come from all manner of donated sources.

Figure 7: Inside the nursery. Photo source P. Russell, 2015

Biosecurity risks Possible pathways of pest spread exist through:

• the potting mix - plague skink6 eggs (Figure 8) could be readily transferred from the mix to newly potted plants to the wetland;

6 Formerly known as rainbow skinks.

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• recycled pots/planter bags (Figure 9) could contain Argentine ants or other undesirable invertebrates, such as white tail spiders/eggs; and

• potted seedlings – could be harbouring plant diseases or other pathogens.

Figure 8: Look out for small white eggs (plague skinks) in building supplies and potting mixes. Photo source: from NZGIA website

Figure 9: Stacked, empty pots, MEIT nursery. Photo source P. Russell, 2015 Risk mitigation objectives

The overall goal is to reduce the risk of pests and risk organisms entering and becoming established in the nursery, then in turn accessing the mountain through numerous pathways. There are two objectives:

(1) To engage with staff/volunteers, using appropriate behaviour changing measures, to maintain ‘internal quarantine’ procedures at all times, and

(2) To keep the site, stock and overall operation free of pests and diseases through preventative and early detection actions.

Management measures:

• Develop simple on-site advocacy avenues for nursery users (e.g. signage, posters). Key messages to include:

- be aware of the possible biosecurity threats, - use only reliable and/or certified suppliers, - check regularly, keep all equipment clean of soil and other debris, - report anything pest related that looks out of place, new or unusual.

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• Ensure that all volunteers involved in the nursery operation are made aware of and adhere to the following standards.

• All donated pots and planter bags are to be inspected and cleaned with a disinfectant solution on arrival, and any foreign matter removed and put in rubbish container (with secure top) and disposed of off-site.

• Install boot and footwear cleaning equipment with a Trigene sprayer )at the depot / nursery.

• Only bagged potting mix should be obtained and once opened bags be inspected for any foreign material (e.g. eggs or live animals. Opened bags should be tightly sealed again or disposed of accordingly off-site.

• The nursery floor should be swept clean of soil/debris at the end of each day worked.

• All pots, mesh, shade cloth and timber associated with the nursery operation are to be stored inside and in a clean state (preferably on a concrete base, raised off the ground and under cover).

• Observe plant hygiene, do not plant out any seedlings that look diseased or otherwise unhealthy looking. Remove and dispose of these plants in sealed containers and take off-site.

• Participate in nursery certification schemes to assist managing biosecurity risks.

Case Study 2: Vehicle and storage depot

Background The Trust operates out of a depot and compound area on Tari Road, 300m away from the visitor centre and southern enclosure. The depot is used as a storage area for vehicles and equipment, including three ‘Maggots’ (tracked dump trucks) and a digger, all of which are used periodically inside the perimeter fence. Also stored there are replacement sections of the pest-proof fence and related supplies (including timber and gravel for track maintenance), herbicides, equipment, a washdown pad, pest control equipment, and adjoining is the nursery building, propagation and hardening off hardstand shade area.

A separate leased storage depot in Cambridge is also used, for meetings, to store excess pest control materials (for use during a breach response, including traps, used monitoring cards and other sundry gear) and 4WD vehicles used by the pest monitoring team. An area is also set aside there for volunteers to utilise (e.g. analysing monitoring cards, small building projects and maintenance.)

Biosecurity risks Possible pathways of pest spread exist through:

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• Stowaway rodents, wasps and ants able to enter the compound, the buildings and/or vehicles and reside in or on equipment like fencing material and gravel,

• There is no instilled culture apparent in, or concentrated effort made by, depot/vehicle users to check their vehicles and equipment prior to entry into the sanctuary and there are minimal pest control measures carried out in the vehicles themselves, and

• Staff and volunteers’ vehicles travel far and wide and can pick up seeds/soil in tyre treads and bring them to Maungatautari. There is no vehicle wash down procedure, so pathways exist for weeds and pathogens to establish in the sanctuary. All tracked vehicles should be regarded as potential high threat pathways for soil, seeds and pathogens.

Risk mitigation objectives The overall goal is to reduce the risk of pests entering the depot, then in turn accessing the mountain through numerous pathways. There are three objectives:

(1) To engage with staff/volunteers, using appropriate behaviour changing methods, to maintain ‘internal quarantine’ procedures at all times (e.g. boot cleaning procedure), as such measures will reduce the risk of plant diseases such as Phytophthora spreading.

(2) To provide depot features that assist with mitigation of biosecurity threats (e.g. established traps, bait stations and tracking tunnels, decontamination facilities, poison storage), and

(3) To keep the compound, materials, depot buildings and vehicles pest-free using similar preventative and early detection measures used to maintain the integrity of the sanctuary.

Management measures – for the depot complex:

• Incorporate suitable footwear and vehicle washdown/decontamination facilities, including high pressure hoses, drainage/collection area and debris disposal system, where consideration of ease of use and easy access are paramount for users. Boot cleaning setup - Jacson Cube (image at right) https://www.cleanboots.co.nz/jacson-cube.

• A standard rodent/ant detection network should be established around the compound, and buildings with regular (monthly) pest monitoring carried out.

• All MEIT vehicles operating out of the depot should have suitably fitted/maintained bait stations (inside and in the engine compartment) for control of rodents, and

• Ensure that an adequate area is set aside in the depot complex for the safe and secure storage of poisons/toxins/herbicides (and PPE) and that a suitable area for mixing herbicides and washdown is provided.

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Management measures – for the depot users:

• Ensure that all staff/volunteers involved in the depot running and related operations are made aware of and adhere to the biosecurity standards outlined,

• Develop simple on-site advocacy for depots users (e.g. signage, posters) regarding the need for biosecurity standards to be maintained at all times. Key messages are: - be alert to the possible biosecurity threats of ones actions and the consequences of complacency, - while still in the depot, physically and systematically check all vehicles for pests or pest organisms, on a daily basis - before entering the perimeter fence ensure all vehicles are clean of any foreign matter by washing tyres/tracks down with high pressure hose - keep all equipment clean of soil and other debris - report anything pest related that looks out of place, new or unusual.

• Where practicable all materials should be stored inside the depot. If storage outside is required, materials should be elevated up off the ground to allow air passage,

• Only gravel from reputable suppliers should be sourced, where they can show that biosecurity risks are being adequately managed, and material is free of weed seed,

• The depot floor should be swept clean at the end of each day worked, and all rubbish disposed on a weekly basis,

• Implement a training programme for relevant staff/volunteers on the safe and effective use of herbicides and pesticides, with an expectation that all users will have (for herbicides) at least Growsafe (or equivalent) basic certification.

Case Study 3: Tautari wetland

Background The 3.4 hectare Tautari wetland (Figure 10) is a significant part of the Sanctuary Mountain experience, with liberated takahe and tuatara present, as well as self-introduced tieke (saddleback) and other birds from the main mountain. It is close to the visitor centre, affording easy access and is frequently entered for guided tours and casual visits.

According to an ecological report Tautari Wetland Vegetation Plan (K. Denyer, December 2013) the site is fully stock proof and mammalian predator-proof, including mice. Monitoring along the inside of the perimeter fence is more intensive than for the main mountain, due to the high visitor numbers, potential threats to the vulnerable species present and relative ease of monitoring.

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Figure 10: Tautari Wetland. Photo source via Denyer report.

Biosecurity risks Possible pathways of pest spread exist through:

• Natural incursions of weed species (e.g. existing seedbanks before restoration occurred, windblown or other natural means).

• Human induced weed incursions via contaminated equipment, vehicles/machinery and clothing.

• Accidental animal pest stowaways through visitors, revegetation activities and equipment, and

• Animal pest incursions as a result of fence breaches.

Risk mitigation objectives The overall goal is to reduce the risk of pests and diseases entering and becoming established in the Tautari wetland. There are two objectives: (1) To better engage with visitors regarding the threats their actions could cause, and (2) To develop better prevention measures, primarily through increased hygiene checks at the nursery and depot and stepped up surveillance for weeds.

Management measures: • Internal pest monitoring, while constantly assessed, is currently deemed adequate.

• Weeds are generally under control but require constant surveillance and control of any new infestations, especially: blackberry, barberry, Himalyan honeysuckle and

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Spanish heath7. Surveillance should be maintained in the surrounding farmland as part of overall increased vigilance to ensure pest plants such as tutsan and alligator weed are prevented from establishing in neighbouring areas.

• Ensure that all staff, contractors and volunteers are aware of the need to inspect and clean or remove any obvious foreign matter from clothing and equipment before entering the wetland enclosure, through specific pre-work briefings and/or part of any site safety meetings.

• Ensure boot/shoe cleaning brushes and Trigene spray at the wetland entrance for visitors and staff to use prior to entry, maintained in good operating condition.

• Erect more specific biosecurity signage above cleaning brushes, requesting all people entering the wetland to check their bags for rodents, insects, seeds and any vegetation (Figure 11).

Figure 11: Stylised signage with potential key messages. Image source BBS Ltd.

7 Baseline weed monitoring was carried out by K Denyer in 2013 and is useful for monitoring of new infestations and checking on the success of control efforts.

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3.3.5 Responses for new to Maungatautari pests

Respond efficiently and effectively to new pests and diseases detected within Maungatautari.

In the unlikely event that a ‘new to New Zealand’ organism is identified at Maungatautari then MPI would assume a lead role in any management response, possibly in a joint role with regional biosecurity agencies, through a national biosecurity capability network (NBCN), or similar8.

It is most likely that any organism identified as ‘new to Maungatautari’ would already be established elsewhere in the Waikato region or country (e.g. myrtle rust). Depending on the nature and scale of any incursion, MEIT would likely take the lead role in the management or coordination of a response. In undertaking such a role, the Trust would consider:

• How the threat may affect Maungatautari’s threatened species, reputation or visitor experience,

• Seeking expert advice on the nature and potential of any threat,

• On a case by case basis, deciding on whether to respond to the threat or not,

• The capability of staff/volunteers to respond to any incursion, and

• Seeking assistance from regional agencies with biosecurity functions and capability (e.g. WRC, DOC and research providers).

Key management measures are summarised in the table below.

Responsibility Actions Comments (feasibility/costs)

CEO MEIT/ WDC Develop agreement for new to This agreement is recommended to be drafted in Reserves Maungatautari organisms, outlining: the first instance as a generic response to fit any Committee - relevant response frameworks and one of several pre-planned incursion scenarios. scenarios - potential parties and their roles and It should be an unadorned document but based responsibilities on the principles of MPI’s biosecurity response - decision making management system. - cost sharing arrangements, and - implementation and reporting processes.

CEO MEIT/Team Increase the ability of the MEIT staff May include involvement in basic leaders (biodiversity team and fence team) to incursion/response training techniques and respond to low level and manageable methods for ants and invertebrates, for new to Maungatautari organism example, to grow the Trust’s overall knowledge incursions. and ability to respond.

8 The NBCN approach is akin to New Zealand’s field team in the event of a biosecurity outbreak. It comprises agencies with biosecurity, and related capability, throughout the country and is coordinated by MPI.

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3.3.6 Responses for the control of widespread pests that may be able to establish in Maungatautari

Control established pests effectively and efficiently in Maungatautari (humanely and using best practice methods).

The focus of control of existing pests that could access the Maungatautari from the immediate surrounds concern:

• Managing fence breaches in the event of fence or systems failure. Section 6 of the Fence breach SOP contains the full standard operating procedure for dealing with these situations. Breaches remain the biggest threat to the integrity of the project, and

• Field operations focusing on maintenance of tracks and fence, monitoring and weed control. Monitoring SOPs outlines a typical operational procedure for these activities which are relevant all year round.

Key management measures are summarised in the table below. The above SOPs are contained in separate supporting operational documents.

Responsibility Actions Comments (feasibility/costs)

Biodiversity Adopt industry best practice for the There are many established tools for the control team control of all known animal and plant of a wide range of pest species. Most are pests that may invade Maungatautari. available online through DOC, BioNet, and council websites.

Biodiversity Follow at all times the specific Responses must be in place until the pests are team response requirements (trapping, adjudged to have been caught, left the baiting) for mustelids, feral cats, mountain, or determined not to be present. possums, rats, mice and other species, This is determined through six clear weeks as determined through incursion where no pests are detected or caught, and/or protocol and SOP’s. sweeps by an appropriate detection dog. As noted elsewhere, mice will not be controlled on the main mountain at present.

Detailed records will be kept of all incidents and events that result, or could have potentially resulted, in reinvasion.

Reponses and outcomes will also be recorded to ensure the development of a recorded history of incidents, responses and outcomes that can be used to refine and improve this plan, both in terms of risk management to avoid reinvasion and improved efficacy of any future responses to reinvasion.

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3.3.7 Research

Undertake or support research that: (1) reduces biosecurity ‘uncertainties’ for the Trust and (2) assists the Trust to prioritise the tasks outlined in the Plan.

Research in the context of this Plan should be viewed as a broad term covering the removal of uncertainty about key aspects of the Maungatautari project and how it could be managed more successfully or cost-effectively, to better achieve the vision. There are at least three ways this could be done: 1) Better national networking by technical and other staff; 2) Awareness of and support for generic pest and other research, and 3) Active promotion or implementation of research specific to Maungatautari.

Better national networking There are now over 70 ‘sanctuaries’ of various kinds in the country, including at least 24 pest-proof fenced sites, so there is a huge amount of activity taking place by diverse groups essentially doing what MEIT is doing. There are some accounts of ‘best practice’ in some settings (e.g. DOC has best practice guidelines for ship rat, possum and stoat control) but much knowledge remains outside the guidelines and new situations that are not covered by them are common. There are also poor practices occurring, so keeping current with what is happening around the country (via conference attendance) will be highly useful.

Awareness/support for generic pest research The Trust should be mindful of what relevant research is happening, and where, so that they can tell and reassure stakeholders that progress with new monitoring, trapping and poisoning tools, for example, is likely, even though at times it seems as if little or nothing is happening. Secondly, MEIT may be able to leverage involvement in research projects to its advantage, (e.g. mouse control, weasel detection or removal of scarce invaders, such as a single stoat). In this sense, Maungatautari has much in common with other fenced sanctuaries and offshore islands that are actually or mostly pest-free. These factors strongly steer the relationships and connections that staff should be having.

Research specific to Maungatautari Research questions that are highly relevant to Maungatautari that may not be addressed by generic national research should be made explicit and actively pursued by MEIT in partnership with research agencies and universities. MEIT should explore funding options whereby research funds can be leveraged to support students and other research options.

Key management measures are summarised in the following table.

Responsibility Actions Comments (feasibility/costs)

CEO MEIT, Strive to achieve better national Until there is improvement in cementing best Biodiversity networking opportunities through practice, key staff at Maungatautari must team leader attendance at key workshops, maintain contact and active collaboration with symposia and by other direct other sanctuary managers to ensure that best communication. use is being made of scarce resources.

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STAP / CEO Increase awareness of and support Finding better ways to detect and remove key MEIT for generic pest and other research. pests (e.g. ship rats, stoats and possums) is a national biodiversity research priority so isn’t something that the Trust or Maungatautari staff need to initiate. However, they should be mindful of what research is happening.

History shows that gains in pest control are incremental rather than moment defining and that these gains often remain unpublished for years. Having strong knowledge of what is and what is not actually known is critical. This requires sound relationships with researchers.

STAP / Actively promote (and implement as Priority topics include: Biodiversity appropriate) research that is specific team to Maungatautari, through leveraging a) Incursion behaviour of key pest , research funds from Grants agencies including density, behaviour and movements to support students and other outside and on the pest-proof fence and ways to research options. Collaboration with keep key mammals away from fence breaches Predator Free NZ may prove until they can be resolved, advantageous in accessing funding for research on forms of detections and b) Fence integrity – how to lengthen fence life monitoring for predator presence. and maintain its function and how to search for fence holes,

c) Behaviour of individuals of key pest species, particularly stoats and cats (because these two pests may cause the most damage in a short time if they gain entry), including interaction with detection devices,

d) Related to c), best layout and selection of pest mammal monitoring and removal tools inside the fence particularly for weasels. In this regard, Maungatautari shares the same challenges with other fenced sanctuaries and pest-free offshore islands, and

e) Impacts of pests (e.g. mice) on biodiversity. Note that biodiversity cannot be separated from biosecurity. If pests can be shown to be either important or unimportant threats to biodiversity, then this clarifies and prioritises how scarce biosecurity dollars should be spent.

f) Phytophthora spp presence and potential.

The priority list of topics above could be expanded. The above list necessarily focuses on pest mammal risks because they are known to have high significance. Ultimately, there is no end to the research possibilities that the Maungatautari project offers, ranging from pest plant threats to effects of Argentine ants on fledging success.

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3.3.8 Performance measurement

Evaluate the effectiveness of the Biosecurity Plan.

An indication of the effectiveness of management measures contained in this Plan can be achieved by monitoring:

• Frequency and severity of fence breach incidents. • Numbers of incursion responses that are required annually. • Level of adoption of hygiene procedures by staff and volunteers. • Recorded incidents of wasp and ant treatments within sanctuary. • Recorded incidents of detected pest species within depot and nursery areas. • Pest plant detections within and outside of the sanctuary – mapping and control. • Incidents of trapped predators within sanctuary.

Pest (and biodiversity) Monitoring Activities

Biological The overall purpose of biodiversity outcome monitoring is to measure and determine long term changes in ecosystem health as a result of pests being excluded from the Maunga and other enhancement activities that occur. Pest monitoring requires biological surveys to determine a baseline of organisms in different locations, then follow-up surveys to identify species population and compare changes over time.

Baseline biological data are available for the Maunga and the Tautari Wetland. Ongoing or follow-up surveys should target high use areas (the nursery, depot, wetland and the two enclosures, as these are the areas where newly introduced species are most likely to be observed. ‘Biosecurity’ is the output needed, ‘biodiversity’ reflects the outcome sought.

Additional information and data on Maungatautari may be able to be collected from research undertaken for other purposes, for example, biodiversity monitoring by MEIT as part of species liberation/recovery plans. Liaising with research providers and management agencies associated with Maungatautari (e.g. DOC, WRC and Landcare Research) to identify opportunities to include biosecurity baseline and follow-up monitoring (and related research) within their existing projects is also desirable.

Behavioural To determine if management activities are working it is important to know if people’s awareness of biosecurity risks is increasing and if people are changing their behaviour to reduce the risk. To make this assessment, social research such as user surveys may be useful. This research will help determine:

• Whether people’s attitudes have changed as a result of the social marketing programme, and

• If awareness is reflected in behaviour change, for example, checking bags, vehicles and materials automatically for stowaways and equipment before entering Maungatautari.

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4. Recommendations

The following points summarise key recommendations as a result of proposals and concepts outlined in this Plan. Some recommendations are essentially the immediate next steps to be actioned in the implementation of the Plan. They are presented in relative order of importance.

Goal 1: Ensure no predators/herbivores enter the Maunga via the pest proof fence.

1.1 Targeting effort to the highest risk pathways and natural pest invasion sources must continue to be the primary focus of the Trust.

1.2 Detection (surveillance) and maintaining the integrity of the fence through the existing surveillance system and the monitoring/detection programme will continue to be the two most important biosecurity activities of the Trust.

1.3 Prevention of incursions and continuing to maintain an immediate and appropriate response capability in the event of fence breaches (including carrying out fence maintenance) is essential.

1.4 Responses (for existing organisms) by adopting industry best practice for the control of known pests and following the prescribed fence breach and response (Pest Risk Management Plan) requirements.

✓ Ensure fence maintenance protocols are observed, incursion detection and responses are immediate, results are recorded, and protocols are observed.

✓ Install a systematic network of trail cameras as part of incursion response procedures, and investigate the application of ClassifyMe software using artificial intelligence for species identification, by March 2023.

✓ Regular fence inspections are conducted, access gates, pedestrian gates, earthworks/ fill, culverts and watergates are inspected and maintained in 100% pest proof condition.

✓ Vegetation inspections are conducted systematically, and any risk situations are scheduled and implemented in a timely manner.

✓ Any adjoining landowner practices that may pose a threat to the fence or the sanctuary’s integrity are immediately brought to the attention of the CEO via an incident report.

✓ Regular inspections of the northern enclosure fence to ensure tuatara burrowing does not compromise the pest proof status. The Trust could consider the installation of a mesh ground sheet inside the Northern Enclosure fence along the northern boundary to mitigate burrowing and consequent access for pest species. The alternative is more rigorous close inspection on a regular basis.

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✓ Continue to advocate with Predator Free 2050, WRC, DOC and WDC the need to investigate a large (up to 5km) predator free buffer around Maungatautari, as part of a future, enhanced Predator Free 2050 funding bid for the Waikato basin area. This outcome would greatly reduce ‘predator pressure’ on the perimeter fence. (Note: WRC Long Term Plan submission to be made by MEIT during early 2021).

Goal 2: Implement appropriate surveillance and monitoring methods to ensure the predator free status of the Maunga is maintained.

2.1 Reinstate, at least annual mice surveys across the SMM area following the DOC monitoring protocol, commencing 2021. Existing mouse monitoring lines should be recut / reopened and used accordingly. This information is the first step in enabling the STAP to make scientifically supported recommendations on how mice are to be managed (see also 2.6 below).

2.2 An independent audit and review of the mammalian monitoring programme and the development of measures to determine the success of the reviewed monitoring programme.

✓ Senior management (through the STAP) convene an expert reference group to review all monitoring protocols used on Maungatautari, (before December 2021) to ensure they include latest best practice and take advantage of technological improvements made over the last five years.

✓ Advocate for new and/or further mustelid and rat research (e.g. acoustic recording capabilities could be investigated) as opportunities arise. Note: not a core role for MEIT to lead. 2.3 Develop a comprehensive pest plant prevention and management strategy for Maungatautari for annual implementation, in collaboration with WRC.

2.4 Ensure that the surveillance and monitoring systems adopted are being applied in the appropriate manner, and that results are recorded and analysed in a timely and accurate way.

2.5 It is vital that materials are always on hand for monitoring to be undertaken without impediments, and that personnel undertaking the work are fully briefed on the importance of timing, recording, accuracy and thoroughness. Next to the fence security the monitoring is the most important facet of MEIT’s success.

2.6 Through the STAP, toxin use on the Maunga needs to be addressed (e.g. how diphacinone is used). Internationally there is a lack of adequate toxins for mouse control. New Zealand is at the forefront of pest control applications, however for effective mice eradication there is a reliance on brodifacoum, diphacinone, cholecalciferol and coumatetralyl. Mice display more susceptibility to first generation anticoagulants in multiple oral intakes rather than single larger intake, however resistance to diphacinone does arise.

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Mice appear more susceptible to second generation anticoagulants, particularly brodifacoum.

Goal 3: Ensure a heightened state of preparedness exists for any incursions, or threats to the integrity of the Maunga.

3.1 Responses (for new to Maungatautari organisms) requires the development of a protocol to be activated in the event of ‘new to Maungatautari pests’ being discovered, where a response may be beyond the capability of MEIT to respond. This should also include what practices and procedures need to be implemented if an emergency such as a pandemic lockdown, fire, or civil emergency occurs that impacts upon the MEIT functioning.

3.2 Coordination - continue to seek harmonious relationships with all adjoining landowners and sound working relationships with key regional and district agencies with biosecurity responsibilities and capabilities.

3.3 Research – to reduce uncertainty around Maungatautari biosecurity issues, MEIT staff should progress national networking with Sanctuaries Aotearoa and Sanctuaries of NZ Inc (SONZI) to share best practice approaches.

3.4 Ensure that response plans are in place and able to be activated at any stage. Close liaison with Emergency Management personnel at Waipa District Council and Incursion response staff at MPI is necessary so that respective parties are aware of capabilities and activation procedures.

3.5 MEIT protocols and SOP’s must be kept current and personnel are fully aware of their individual responsibilities in relation to responses.

3.6 Communication with all parties involved is constant, that materials are on hand and ready to be deployed and that volunteers are engaged and fully briefed.

3.7 Landowners must be aware of and reminded of the immediacy of an incursion so that access issues do not prevent a rapid response.

Goal 4: Make biosecurity hygiene and awareness foremost in minds of staff and all volunteers and visitors to the Maunga.

Awareness

4.1 Responsibility rests with the CEO to instil biosecurity awareness as a fundamental principle of MEIT’s way of working.

4.2 Install biosecurity hygiene measures (e.g. equipment cleaning and boot wash stations) at the depot/nursery and southern enclosure, with appropriate signage and awareness for staff and visitors to use them. Effective boot cleaners required at both ends of the ‘Over the Mountain’ track, to be installed.

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4.3 Implementation of specific pest prevention standards for nursery and depot activities, e.g. importation of gravel and plant potting mix.

4.4 Development or enhancement of a targeted social marketing programme, aimed at increasing staff and volunteer knowledge; and visitor appreciation of risks through a variety of posters, signage, web-based tools and videos.

Performance management and reporting:

4.5 Maintain a database of all biosecurity activities so that reporting to stakeholder groups can be undertaken, and to enable collation of data for analysis both spatially and temporally.

4.6 Examine the potential to provide on-line access to stakeholders to interrogate MEIT datasets for biosecurity information such as breach incidents and incursion responses.

4.7 Continue to liaise with research providers to identify biosecurity and biodiversity monitoring opportunities that support ecosystem integrity (and enhancement) on the Maunga.

4.8 Through the social marketing programme, develop a targeted survey of Maungatautari ‘users’ to gauge behavioural change over time.

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5. References

ClassifyMe: A Field-Scouting Software for the Identification of Wildlife in Camera Trap Images, 27 December 2019, Greg Falzon et al. Animals 2020, 10,58; doi:10.3390/ani10010058

Innes, J and Millar, R. 2020. Fencing kakapo inside Maungatautari: options, benefits, risks. Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research Ltd, Contract report LC3661.

Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust 2015. Maungatautari Ecological Island Biosecurity Plan 2015–2020. 80 p.

Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust 2019. Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Restoration Plan 2019–2029. Prepared by Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research: for Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust. 99 p.

Speedy, C and McLennan, J. 2013. Review of Pest Monitoring and Incursion Response Operations Maungatautari Ecological Island (Contract Report).

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APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Pests and pest pathways identified

Table showing full range of pests and pathways relevant for Maungatautari, their impacts and potential mitigation measures.

Key: H= high, M = medium, L = low and U = uncertain. Colour coding: reflects the overall significance and probability matrix (section 2.3) Higher risk pests or pathways = red, medium risks = yellow and lower risks = green. Unknown/unattributed = grey.

Significance Probability Pests Issues and impacts (H,M,L,U) (H,M,L,U) Potential mitigation measures

1. Introduced birds Introduced bird impacts include: preying on native Anecdotal and speculative There are 37 species species/seeds, disrupting pollination, vectoring pathogens and observations would suggest that of introduced birds in diseases, competition for food, nesting and roosting sites and there are little or no impacts NZ, Forsyth et al. hybridising with native species. Bird dynamics are poorly from the majority of exotic birds, 9 (2002) . Some species studied and the impacts of exotic species on community despite the H ranking, which is are expanding their processes are difficult to determine without experiments. The because many species are range and there is a absence of scientific proof means that conservation impacts already widespread around risk of further species are unknown or speculative. Maungatautari. establishing as escapees from aviaries.

(a) Widespread birds Includes: chaffinch, blackbird, hedge sparrow, thrush and spur- L H Nil – none required present - no expected wing plover. effects

9 Forsyth, D.M; Cowan, P.E.; Veltman, C.J. Tansell, J. 2002: Introduced birds as conservation pests in New Zealand - a discussion paper. Landcare Research Contract Report LCO102/083.

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(b) ‘Nuisance birds’ Impacts include: possible disease vectoring, competition and Nil – ongoing bird counts and present – may have reducing the visitor experience through harsh and unpleasant observations will identify any some effects calls. Includes: L H worrying trends in bird (generally low level) • myna and starling – parasites and nest cavity competition, behaviour or populations. • introduced parrots – e.g. eastern rosella, Indian ring-neck parakeets, sulphur crested cockatoo. May overtime Passive surveillance watching for compete with native parrot species and could be disease changing trends. vector risks. (c) Birds absent from E.g. rainbow lorikeet and red-vented bulbul that are in NZ but Passive surveillance – advise the region in the wild not established in the wild. L M MPI/DOC if issues arise. but on a national watch list Rainbow lorikeets may be kept as pets but it is an offence to Rainbow lorikeets are unwanted release them. They are regarded as a pest because they organisms under the Biosecurity compete with native birds for food, particularly with honey Act and are managed under the eaters such as and bellbird. They also compete for nest sites National Interest Pest Responses with cavity nesters such as kaka and may carry avian diseases. (NIPR) initiative.

(d) Birds – vagrants Unknown species but the most likely candidates would likely that may self- ‘blow across’ from Australia (e.g. kites and swallows). U U Passive surveillance. introduce from overseas 2. Introduced flying The German wasp is a successful invader of disturbed Wasps would also impact on the insects environments and natural ecosystems. It establishes large experience for visitors and nests and the workers efficiently exploit food resources such as would be deemed safety hazards nectar and insects, which native fauna depend on. for staff and volunteers. German wasps are difficult to control as a (a) Common and The common wasp has been nominated as one of the world’s M H new colony can be established German wasps worst invaders. This species impacts on conservation, forestry, from a single inseminated beekeeping, horticulture and human activities. In addition to female. causing painful stings to humans, they compete with birds and other insects for insect prey and sugar sources. They will also Active surveillance and direct

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eat fruit crops and scavenge around rubbish bins and picnic control around high visitation sites. areas when appropriate. (b) Asian and Asian paper wasps can occur at high densities of more than Australian paper 200 nests per hectare and 6,300 wasps per hectare10. The M H Active surveillance and direct wasps potential impact of such high densities of both these wasps on control around high visitation native ecosystems is a concern, although the full extent of this areas when appropriate. impact requires further research. Asian paper wasps prey mainly on invertebrates, especially caterpillars, and are capable of consuming c1kg per hectare per season of invertebrate biomass. They also compete with other insects for nectar and honeydew resources. (c) Other known E.g. giant willow aphid. Recently identified in NZ but well introduced insects distributed throughout much of the country. Produces honey U U Passive surveillance present in NZ dew deposits which attract wasps in significant numbers. Full impacts of this species is currently unknown. (d) Other potential E.g. lesser banded hornet, median wasp and yellow flower MPI should be contacted for insects not present in wasp. These three species of wasp are not yet established in updated information about NZ New Zealand and have not been declared as pests. However, these species. Likely to be on a their establishment is considered to be imminent (MPI U U national ‘watch list’. information) and the public need to be aware of them. If they were to establish, these wasps would prey on native flies and moths and be in direct competition with native nectar feeding birds for honeydew resources.

Hornets feed mainly on insects, consuming a large number of them during the nesting season. They also feed on nectar, tree sap and fruit. They are a direct competitor for honeydew. Preferred habitats are forest margins and forest clearings. The

10 Clapperton BK 1999. Abundance of wasps and prey consumption of paper wasps (Hymenoptera, Vespidae: Polistinae) in Northland, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Ecology 23, pp 11- 19.

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yellow flower wasp is a parasite of scarab beetles and for this reason scientists are concerned that it may pose a risk to native beetles. Currently very little is known about this species. Median wasps are considerably larger than common and German wasps, with a distinctive reddish-brown colouring. They construct small nests in trees or shrubs and under the eaves of buildings. A single male median wasp was found in Raglan in 2002. 3. Introduced Of most concern would be introduced ants (Argentine and These insects are unlikely to get ground based Darwin’s). Argentine ant colonies are notably dense and fast into Maungatautari without insects – ants growing, producing large numbers of aggressive and human assistance but it is industrious workers. They produce multiple queens that bud M M possible. (a) Ants present in NZ off to form new colonies, and have a wide dietary range, allowing them to spread quickly and easily. Their capacity to invade native systems and displace native species, as Active surveillance and adhering demonstrated in Hawaii, California and South Africa, means to sanitation standards around they are listed as one of the world’s 100 worst invasive species. nursery and depot operations. There are numerous confirmed sightings of Argentine ants in the Waikato region. Darwin’s ant has the potential to be a major pest in New Zealand. The impact of Darwin’s ants on native ecosystems is unknown. They are known in NZ but not the Waikato region. (b) Ants not present E.g. red imported fire ant, little fire ant, tropical fire ant and in NZ yellow crazy ant. These four species of ant are listed as U U MPI should be contacted for unwanted organisms but are not established in New Zealand. If updated information about they were to establish they would prey on native invertebrates these species. Likely to be on a and compete with native nectar feeding birds for honeydew national ‘watch list’. resources. They would also pose a serious risk to people through their painful stings or formic acid spray. In the event of

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any incursion, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) would be the lead agency for any management of the species. 4. Introduced E.g plague skinks (formerly called rainbow skinks) and alpine Passive surveillance. lizards and newts. Plague skinks are clever stowaways and can easily make amphibians their way undetected (as eggs) in building supplies e.g. potting Adhering to sanitation mix and other building supplies. By attaining large numbers conditions for nursery and (a) Present in NZ, not over a short time, they are able to occupy and take over M L-M depot operations. known in valuable native skink habitat and out compete them for food. Maungatautari Social marketing messages Alpine newts exist in the wild in the region and are voracious with staff and volunteers about predators, including amphibian and fish eggs and larvae, effects these animals on aquatic invertebrates and small vertebrates. This makes them biodiversity values. high risk to endangered NZ frogs. They can also harbour pathogens and parasites that could spread to endangered Passive surveillance – advise endemic amphibians. MPI/DOC if issues arise.

(b) Lizards and A vast array of possible species, which is beyond the scope of U U Passive surveillance – advise amphibians not this Plan to identify. MPI/DOC if issues arise. present in NZ

5. Introduced pest Maungatautari mountain is currently free of most of the worst It is vital that those pest plants plants – spread pest plants in the region. One of the biggest risk areas is the not yet established never do, through natural Tautari Wetland. but some pests are close by. biological means There needs to be more focus on pest plants. A pest plant (a) Absent from the Pests considered potential biodiversity threats to management plan for MEIT is Waikato region and Maungatautari (based on the Waikato Regional Pest U U recommended. included on a Management Plan exclusion pest list) include: bat-wing passion regional watch list of flower, fringed water lily, horsetail species, hydrilla, kudzu vine Passive surveillance through ‘exclusion pests’. and marshwort. increased training of staff and volunteers of what to look out

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for. (b) Present in the E.g. Exotic climbing vines. The highest threat plants of concern Passive surveillance through region but absent for the forested main mountain would be exotic climbing vines. increased training of staff and from Maungatautari Climbers not known in the area and every effort should be volunteers of what to look out made to keep them out11, include: M M-H for. • climbing spindleberry, • cathedral bells, Would be a central part of the • Chilean flame creeper, pest plant management plan. • moth plant, • mignonette vine, and • mile-a-minute.

Other pest plants, e.g.: alligator weed, tutsan, woolly nightshade, wild ginger, wild cherry, privet and the knotweeds could become established on MEIT occupied land around the margins of the fence where they would vigorously out- compete and eventually dominate native plants. (c) Present in and Exotic climbing vines. There are many possible risks climbers, around some of which are known close to the mountain, such as: Passive surveillance through Maungatautari at • wild kiwifruit vines, increased training of staff and differing densities • Japanese honeysuckle, volunteers of what to look out • old man’s beard, and M M-H for. • banana passionfruit. Would be a central part of the pest Managers/volunteers have on occasion sought advice on plant management plan. various other existing weeds, including: ragwort, thistles, woolly nightshade, tradescantia, Himalayan honeysuckle, blackberry, ring fern and selaginella (African club moss), which seem most problematic.

11 Information sourced from B Elliot, Pest Plant Contractor for Waipa zone of the regional council.

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6. Pathogens - The short lifecycle and explosive reproductive rates of most Continued health checks on all bacteria, viruses, or disease organisms means that prevention of spread is an species translocations carried other micro- important aspect. Many pathogens exist that could impact in out by the Trust is required. organisms that can some way on the Maungatautari project. Pathway management is a well- cause disease recognised tool in disease Disease risks for birds include viruses, bacteria, fungi and management. Comprehensive protozoa. Some are known to be widely spread in NZ and pose hygiene and disease (a) Avian and little threat (e.g. kiwi babesiosis, spread by ticks). Some are U U management practices must be reptilian diseases known to cause management and disease issues, such as kiwi observed to maintain bird present in NZ coccidiosis (spread kiwi to kiwi), and salmonella (via sparrows). health: Some are known to be in NZ but pose high threat (e.g. PBFD in pet or wild parrots that could affect kakapo). • Surveillance – any dead birds/ lizards/ tuatara Poultry diseases, bird pox and avian malaria could potentially checked, sent for Post have major consequences for the sanctuary project if iconic mortem at Wildbase Massey bird species contracted these diseases. The aviary is the chief Uni if fresh enough. Reports pathway into Maungatautari and there are many other bird kept and reported to DOC. diseases to be aware of. Some diseases are tested for prior to Disease screening liberation, others are present in wild populations, others could procedures for sick birds and be brought in. The aviary is low risk currently (as at 2020). for translocations. Health checks on actively managed Lizards and tuatara are also threatened by disease including wildlife (takahe, kiwi) and fungal infection (brown spot or PA)12. opportunistically e.g. surveys. Sick wildlife sent to Hamilton Zoo.

• Pathways – wild birds/ lizards are the most likely pathway.

12 Detection of Paranannizziopsis australasiensis in tuatara ( Sphenodon punctatus ) using fungal culture and a generic fungal PCR | Request PDF (researchgate.net)

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Potential other pathways are from translocations (moderate to low risk as sick animals are not transported, and must be disease screened). Other pathways include people (footwear, clothing). (b) Avian diseases not Some diseases are of high threat but not yet in NZ (e.g. U-H U Unknown currently present in NZ bornaviruses in parrots, HPAI) and would be managed by MPI if there was an incursion in NZ.

7. Mammalian Includes: mustelids, ship rats, possums and feral cats. Infra-red Fence breach and response predators – outside photography and other observations have periodically protocols followed at all times fenced areas spread detected these species trying to access the sanctuary. and updated with best practice through natural methods as appropriate. biological means Animals in this group represent the highest threat to the integrity of the project, being predators of all bird species, and Detection monitoring will exploit any weakness in fence structure and surrounding programme followed at all times vegetation (e.g. during/after storm events and tree canopies in and updated with best practice contact) to gain entry. methods as appropriate.

Coordination and sharing of knowledge with DOC and other sanctuaries. Research – nationally and specific to Maungatautari. (a) ferret13 Mustelids are typically found in pastoral habitats including TBfreeNZ has ceased vector fertile pasture, grassland, tussock, scrubland and the fringes of control (possums and ferrets)

13 All of the rankings in this section are the result of some straightforward desktop analysis and known basic facts, without detailed reference to wide-ranging scientific studies or rigour.

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nearby forest. Ferrets and stoats are more numerous in the H M in the areas north and south of Waikato region than weasels. Ferrets and stoats are Maungatautari15, which means considered to be the ‘ultimate predators’ in New Zealand’s that no further control is unique natural environment. Ferrets feed mainly on small planned in these areas. This mammals - possums and rats in forests and at forest margins. situation could create more pressure on the fence during Ferrets also eat a variety of bird species14, reptiles (geckos and breaches as pest densities skinks), weta, beetles and other invertebrates. Their greatest slowly build up. impact on native species occurs when their primary prey (rabbits and rodents) becomes scarce. Adverse effects of Advocate with WRC for a wider ferrets on New Zealand’s native fauna have been confirmed for 5 km predator buffer around a number of bird species (including kiwi, penguins, wading the Maunga. birds and passerines), lizards and invertebrates. (b) weasel Ferrets and stoats are more numerous in the Waikato region M H Advocate with WRC for a than weasels, which are quite scarce. However, weasels have wider 5 km predator buffer been trapped at Maungatautari inside the pest-proof fence. around the Maunga. Because of their smaller size they tend to smaller prey items such as mice, small birds, lizards and insects, such as weta. (c) stoat The main prey of stoats are rodents, birds, rabbits, possums, Advocate with WRC for a insects (weta). Lizards, freshwater cray, carrion, eggs, and fish H H wider 5 km predator buffer are also taken. Stoats are a key predator of kiwi chicks in the around the Maunga. wild. (d) feral cat Feral cats can be defined as free-living cats that have minimal Advocate with WRC for a or no reliance on humans, and which survive and reproduce in wider 5 km predator buffer self-perpetuating populations. Feral cats eat mostly small around the Maunga. mammals such as mice, rats, rabbits and young possums but H H

14 Murphy EC, Keedwell RJ, Brown KP, Westbrooke I 2004. Diet of mammalian predators in braided river beds in the central South island, New Zealand. Wildlife Research 31, pp 631-639. 15 The last infected animal in this area was a ferret in 2010 but the conclusion was that this positive ferret was a laboratory mistake that gave a ‘false positive’ reading. Leading up to this current TBfree status was the final control work in the area north of Maungatautari in August 2009 and the south, last done in 2010. Both areas returned very low possum trap catch indices.

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also eat birds, reptiles, bats and insects. The greatest impact cats have on native biodiversity is through the predation of native birds and reptiles. In forests where rabbits are absent but rodents plentiful, rodents and young possums are likely to be common prey. (e) Norway rat Rats have been responsible for the extinction of a number of Advocate with WRC for a native species and continue16 to have a major impact on New wider 5 km predator buffer Zealand’s flora and fauna. Both species of rats eat seeds and M H around the Maunga. foliage, birds, eggs, invertebrates, snails and lizards. This means their impact on native species is two-fold – they prey on them and compete with them for food. Norway rats are poorer climbers than ship rats but will enter the sanctuary, if present, and there was major damage to the fence or culvert gates system. (f) ship rat The nocturnal ship rat is an excellent climber and is probably Advocate with WRC for a the most widespread mammalian predator in non-beech M H wider 5 km predator buffer forests on the mainland. Ship rats eat seeds, fruits, flowers and around the Maunga. other plant parts, which make up 80 per cent of their diet. Potential Predator Free 2050 However, insects (including beetles, moths, stick insects, opportunity. cicadas and especially weta) are always eaten when available. The detrimental effect of both rat species on insect populations is evidenced by research showing that rat control is followed by increases in insect abundance. (g) possum Possums impact significantly on the integrity of indigenous Probably the most studied ecosystems, from localised extinctions of possum-preferred mammal in NZ in terms of species, to canopy dieback and ecosystem change. In the M-H M-H biology and control methods. Ruahine Ranges in the mid 1990’s, for example, possums were found to be primarily responsible for the collapse of 75 See also ferrets above - per cent of the indigenous rata/kamahi forest. They have possum numbers in adjoining

16 Innes JG 2005. Ship rat. In: King CM ed. The handbook of New Zealand mammals. Oxford University Press, Melbourne. pp 187-203.

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caused local extinction of native mistletoe species and tree areas are low as a result of fuchsia from some native forest remnants. Possums also prey previous TBfreeNZ control on native bird species, through predation of both eggs and work. chicks.

(h) dog Farm dogs are ever present around the sanctuary perimeter Social marketing messages but are unlikely to get in without human assistance. H M-L with landowners about effects of dogs on kiwi.

8. Other introduced All of the species below are present in or nearby mammalian Maungatautari. They do not represent any likely threat as they animals cannot climb the fence and due to the fence design are unlikely to burrow under it. (a) rabbit/hare Occasional rabbit/hare have been a nuisance in the past but L L Nil – none required are now excluded.

(b) feral goat Feral ungulate densities immediately outside of the fenced Nil – none required area are very low (pasture land mainly). L L (c) feral pig Feral ungulate densities immediately outside of the fenced Passive surveillance around area are very low (pasture land mainly). If any pigs were able L L-M any deliberate releases. It is to enter the mountain the effects would be minimal compared extremely unlikely that they with the amount of habitat available. could access the sanctuary without human assistance. (d) feral deer Feral ungulate densities immediately outside of the fenced Nil – none required area are very low (pasture land mainly). L L (e) hedgehog Hedgehogs are mainly insectivorous but will eat any animal M L Trail cameras and trapping if substance and even some plant material. In forest or drylands detected, likely to be caught weta and grasshoppers are important food sources. in DOC 200, 250 traps. Hedgehogs also feed on mice, lizards, frogs, eggs and chicks of ground-nesting birds, and scavenge carrion. The effects of

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hedgehogs on indigenous fauna in New Zealand have not been quantified although they clearly have the potential to contribute significantly to the decline of numerous taxa, including threatened ground-nesting birds. Have been trapped within the pest-proof fence sanctuary area previously. 9. Resident mice Mice have been eradicated from the two enclosures, the QE2 Monitoring of effects and inside fenced area block and the Tautari Wetland but not on the main mountain. annual population density It is agreed that mouse eradication, while technically feasible, assessment required. is not cost effective for the Trust and attention may need to L H shift to managing adverse impacts over time as numbers Response – if they were to be increase. detected in the enclosures and wetland. Predation by mice may affect invertebrate communities at Maungatautari by reducing invertebrate abundance and Social marketing around why selectively removing larger individuals. Mice predation is not mice are left on the main thought to influence seedling regeneration or fungi abundance mountain and any impacts but could prey on bird eggs, thereby reducing the nesting they may have. success of small birds both in the forest canopy and lower down. At uncontrolled levels they could impact on seedling regeneration.

In the medium-long term mice densities may limit where invertebrates can be reintroduced on the main mountain, but they are likely to be less of a threat to vertebrate biodiversity than ship rats, feral cats and mustelids.

Pest Pathways Significance Probability (natural and human Issues and impacts (H,M,L,U) (H,M,L,U) Potential mitigation measures induced)

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1. Vegetation – The perimeter fence passes through areas that are forested on H M-H Active surveillance and mature forest tree either side of it. Large native trees grow on the mountain, the regular maintenance work, canopies canopies of which can grow increasingly outwards and over especially during and after touching/other and above the fence to touch neighbouring canopies. This the summer growing season, vegetation situation provides a pathway for ship rats and stoats to access but also assessment after the sanctuary, two of the worst predators of storm events. threatened/vulnerable birds.

Lower down, punga fronds also can have a habit of hanging over the fence but don’t trip the surveillance wire, thereby creating a bridge across the fence hood. Keeping vegetation off the fence is vital, so too is canopy separation. 2. People - visitors Maungatautari is an increasing tourist attraction, with a M-H M-H Social marketing number of events held each year. Visitor numbers will only opportunities on key risks to increase as further translocations are made and wider the project. marketing opportunities exploited. Maungatautari needs visitors to increase in order to raise revenue to enable it to Enhanced visitor entrance to operate effectively. More visitors bring more opportunities for ‘capture’ all visitors and biosecurity issues to arise, requiring more vigilance by tour ‘expose’ them to key guides, reception staff and increased signage and associated information and checks. messaging. Signage and physical Hitchhiker or stowaway pests (e.g. ants, mice/rats in or on activities to carry out – e.g. clothing, bags and footwear) are the likely pest pathways. Even boot scrubbing stations. disposal of fruit remnants in the bush could constitute a pathway for pests. Visitors will in the main be unwitting vectors. The chances of pest spread through these means is small but possible. Wilful pest releases by visitors are less likely.

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3. People – staff, Staff, volunteers and contractors collectively spend the most Social marketing volunteers and time inside and around the fence perimeter of any group of opportunities on key risks to contractors people. Their diverse and many functions create many the project. potential pathway opportunities, through vehicle movements M-H H (stowaways), moving materials and equipment (gravel for Passive surveillance in tracking), having muddy footwear and carrying day bags/packs. relation to each other’s bags To date there has been no comprehensive ‘all of biosecurity’ and footwear state. advocacy provided for volunteers, particularly, on the measures that can be taken to reduce the pathway opportunities that exist as a result of their activities.

4. People – adjoining There are 21 landowners who adjoin Maungatautari and share Active fence surveillance. landowner actions the pest proof fence or property boundary in some way. The Trust relies on the goodwill of all the landowners to protect the Maintain good relations with integrity of the fence and sanctuary. The ability to access the landowners through regular mountain via pedestrian gates while important to landowners H M-H liaison. creates a risk to the project if not operated correctly. Social marketing Pathways exist where the fence could be compromised as a opportunities on key risks to result of: (1) accidental damage that goes unreported (e.g. gate the project. left open, cattle beasts or farm machinery that get too close could do serious damage, shooting on properties could damage the mesh), or (2) wilful damage, including: purposefully releasing pests, cutting the surveillance wire or fence, or denying access. Impacts include allowing undetected pest entry, to prevention of maintenance being carried out.

MEIT has good relationships with landowners and works hard to maintain positive relationships. Access agreements (to the mountain via the pedestrian gates) between the parties are important and need to remain relevant and current.

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Landowner observations on the fence, pest issues/status and the overall project need to be encouraged.

5. Equipment - MEIT has a number of vehicles and quad bikes that are Active surveillance. vehicles regularly used to drive along and into the sanctuary area (e.g. Adhering to sanitation for weed spraying, pest incursion responses, fence inspections standards set for nursery and and maintenance). Also, there are at least three private M-H M-H depot operations – bait vehicles that are also used by volunteers and tracked dump stations in MEIT vehicles. trucks/diggers are regularly used in fence and culvert repair. Social marketing None of these vehicles are housed in pest proof areas, opportunities around including the MEIT depot and limited inspections are done messaging for volunteers prior to entry. Rodents and ants could stowaway inside or in who may enter the sanctuary the undersides of vehicles then drop off once inside the pest directly, without going via proof fence. Similarly, vehicles could also be pathways for nursery of depot. weed pests through seeds brought in in mud/soil on vehicle tyres and undersides/chassis. 6. Equipment - Other equipment used by MEIT staff and volunteers include L-M L-M Sanitation measures required other tools used in the overall operation (e.g. chainsaws, shovels, for the nursery and depot bags etc). Dirty and soiled machinery or equipment could operations to ensure provide pathways for pest plants and ants. equipment is clean prior to entry into any fenced area. 7. Fence damage – Fence breaches during storms represent the greatest actual H H Following fence breach weather related and potential threat and ultimate pathway opportunity for response procedures. events mammalian predators to compromise the project. Sections of fence can be destroyed or partially destroyed depending on the severity and size of the trees/limbs that fall.

Storm debris can also wedge open specially designed culvert gates and allow rats and mustelids relatively easy access. The biggest number of pest entries seem to come through culverts

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which are left ajar and not all culverts are linked to a surveillance system. 8. Fence failure - The scale of the fence and the steep to undulating terrain it is M M Active fence surveillance through wear and built on means that constant maintenance is required to monthly inspecting the whole tear/subsidence ensure that there are no gaps bigger than 6 mm (to keep out infrastructure in some detail. mice) anywhere along its length. Land subsidence, natural and after storm/erosion will move posts and create tension on fence components, providing potential gaps and pest Consideration needs to be pathways. given to depreciation of the fence asset and the eventual The fence is at least 16 years old and parts will require periodic replacement of it. replacement through wear and tear. Other issues such as build-up of lichen on the fence hood needs to be addressed through cleaning to stop the chance of mammals being able to get a foot hold over the rounded edge of the hood.

9. Fence failure – In total there are 44 pedestrian gates and 12 vehicle access H H Regular fence checks and through faulty gates around the 47 km perimeter and enclosures (more than testing of surveillance mechanisms 1 gate per fence kilometre). While they are purpose built and system is crucial to regularly checked there is always a chance they could maintain its integrity. malfunction. Any gate wedged open or left ajar would be very damaging for the project’s integrity. Similarly, if there was a malfunction with the surveillance wire along the fence hood it could compromise the fence and indirectly create potential pest pathways.

The alarm system is reliant on texting via the cell phone network so if the network fails then surveillance is severely compromised.

10. Roads/tracks – There are a number of public access roads (e.g. Hicks, Tari, L-M M Pest plant plan required for

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access roads to Maru) that run close to or right to the mountain’s bush edge, the whole operation. mountain as well as many private roads/tracks and races which extend to the bush. Roads are obvious vectors for traffic movement up Coordination and ongoing and down and also provide avenues for the spread of weeds dialogue with pest plant (e.g. yellow bristle grass and pampas through roadside mowing officer and wider biosecurity in particular). team of WRC and WDC.

Many potential pests could be unwittingly brought to the area Social marketing and the mountain through these means (e.g. vehicles parked opportunities around too close to the fence could allow a feral cat, for example, to messaging for adjoining leap into the sanctuary. The Pest Plant Contractor for the area landowners. is especially concerned about the spread of Japanese and Himalayan honeysuckle along roadsides. 11. Roads/tracks – There have been many internal tracks created for access and Pest plant plan required for internal walking for monitoring lines across the mountain. They vary from quad the whole operation. and quad/vehicle tracks, public walking tracks to roughly cut lines for volunteers M-H M tracks and roads to follow. Tracks are mostly vectors for the spread of weeds Social marketing and the relative openness allows a light well for pests to thrive opportunities around where ordinarily they wouldn’t survive. Pest animals could messaging for staff and also use tracks to spread. The impacts could be potentially volunteers using these greater than first thought as the public have free-range access routes, plus members of the to the main mountain. public who gain access to the ‘over the mountain’ walk. 12. Materials and Materials such as wooden posts and potting mix create likely Active surveillance of all supplies pathways for stowaway invertebrates, which once brought to material coming into the the depot or nursery can be unknowingly redistributed out to M-H M-H nursery and depot, correct the enclosures, wetland or main mountain. storage.

Gravel for external and internal roads/tracks is also a potential Sourcing supplies like gravel pathway for seed dispersal and it is important to know the and potting mix from reliable weed/pest status of sources of materials for all aspects of the providers.

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project. Social marketing opportunities and key messaging for staff and volunteers using these materials.

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