WRCT VOLUNTEERS

Working together for healthier streams and river through community participation and kaitiakitanga News, views and information on the sustainable management and biodiversity restoration of the Whau River catchment

Kia ora koutou - Greetings to you all

Find us on Facebook August 2020

Ecological Restoration: Volunteers Clearing Weeds on the Kurt Brehmer Walkway

Volunteer teams have been working hard this month to clear exotic weeds from the Kurt Brehmer Walkway. Madeira vine was rampant at five different spots on the walkway giving our volunteers lots to do. This South American species of succulent vine has fleshy leaves and thick aerial tubers, which make it a very hefty liane. It smothers trees and other vegetation and can easily break branches, even bringing down entire trees leaving gaps in our established native plantings. Volunteers have removed vast amounts of tubers in efforts to control this weed. On our last weed control session, we also found and removed 72 empty bottles of vodka at one location.

Ecological Restoration: NZ Biosecurity Services helping at Honan Place Esplanade Reserve

NZ Biosecurity Services carried out their chainsaw practice at Honan Esplanade Reserve. Staff cleared dead wattles and other fallen dead trees getting the area ready for future mulching and planting. The exercise carried out by NZ Biosecurity staff was planned to provide them with onsite training on the use of chainsaws and Health & Safety procedures. Great to get the area cleared ready for the summer mulching season. All going well the area will be planted out during the 2021 planting season.

36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: [email protected] W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 1 Biodiversity Survey: PART 1 - Become a ‘Community Scientist’

Do you want to become a ‘Community Scientist’? We need people to help us collect data for our biodiversity survey. The survey will create baseline data for the locations of native and weed plants within the Whau River Catchment. The more observations taken of these plants the more we can understand where these plants occur. We can compare the results to other data to establish what invasive weeds are present and how far they are spreading. Collecting data on the location of native plants will assist us with knowing where and what species are thriving within the Whau River catchment. The more observations made, the more we can understand about the wildlife within our area. This will lead to a better understanding of where restoration needs to take place. Last year there was over 1000 observations made. We are hoping to do better this year. If you want to assist us with collecting data for our biodiversity survey, please contact Justine email: [email protected] or phone 021627864. Also, check out the ‘community science’ event in the events section.

Environmental Education: Stream water testing

Do you want to know how healthy your local stream is? Come and join us at a stream water-testing event near you. We look at the stream from a holistic perspective. We assess the streams overall visual appearance; what macroinvertebrates live in the stream and test for specific chemicals present in the water. Did you know that the bugs living in your local stream can give an overall picture of how healthy the stream is? Some macroinvertebrate are more sensitive to pollutants and habitat changes than others. A healthy stream will have a mixture of sensitive and non-sensitive species as different species play different roles within the stream ecology. So the more diverse the species are, the healthier your stream is. If you would like to find out more about your local streams health, why not attend a stream water-testing event near you. Please contact Justine email: [email protected] or phone 021627864.

Photo – Damselfly (Margaret Griffen Park)

WRCT Community Plant Nursery: Individual volunteers wanted to help in the nursery

The WRCT Community Plant Nursery has many plants, which need to be potted up, and we could do with some help to get through them. There is enough space for a few volunteers at any one time to join us. Thanks to those people who have already helped, you have made a big difference. The plants that have been re potted are now growing well and will be ready to be planted out next year. Each plant assists with: filtering the runoff water from pollutants, nutrients and sediments; filtering air pollutants; absorbing the excess Carbon Dioxide in the atmosphere; providing shelter and food to the wildlife; stabilising the soil; provide herbal medicines and adding aesthetic value. Plants are essential, which makes our nursery a focus of importance. From the beginning of this year, the Community Nursery is open to volunteers who would like to participate in the growing and propagation of native plants, which are specific to the Whau River catchment.

36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: [email protected] W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 2 Biodiversity Survey: PART 2 – Kereru Bird Count

The kereru count is coming up on the 17th to 27th September. Would you be interested in joining in the survey? All you need to do is take a photo of the bird and download it onto the iNaturalist website or download the iNaturalist app and take a photo. Check out this link for more information on how to download the app, or this link to find out how add an observation. The kereru count is a project already set up on the iNaturalist website. All you need to do is add the project ‘Great Kereru Count 2020’. Check out this link for more information about how to add the project on the app. For more detail about the Kereru, count check out this website. The Whau River Catchment is organizing a bird count event with a representative from the Forest and Bird. If you are interested in assisting this event or wish to learn more about carrying out a five-minute bird count, come along to the event. Contact Justine for more details [email protected]

Native Plant of the Month: Karo (Pittosporum crassifolium)

Karo is a small tree or shrub, native to New Zealand. Its general distribution is in the top half of the North Island. Now it is naturalized throughout New Zealand, Norfolk Island and Hawaii. Mature trees can grow to 5 meters. These early colonisers grow well underneath tall deciduous trees and can withstand high winds and salt sprays. Dark red flowers and grey-green leaves. The flowers provide nectar from November to December. These flowers develop into seedpods, which split to expose sticky seeds. The birds easily spread these seeds and in some areas south of its natural range it has become a pest plant.

Native Bird of the Month: Fernbird (Bowdleria punctata)

The fernbird is an endemic species and their population is declining throughout New Zealand. They have been spotted at wetlands in Harborview – Orangihina Reserve, Te Atatu Peninsula and Pollen Island (around the outlet of the Whau River). The colony survives despite introduced predators such as mice, rats, mustelids, hedgehogs, cats and dogs. The main concern is the invasion of their native scrubland and reed bed habitat by aggressive exotic weeds. Weeds need to be removed and replaced with fernbird friendly restoration plantings. The bird belongs to a group of small invertebrate eating songbirds that characteristically have loud calls. They are regarded as an indicator species of the ecological health of New Zealand wetlands. Ninety percent of our wetlands no longer exist due to farming and urban developments. So it is critical that we can provide predator free habitat to help halt their decline.

Photo taken by Duncan Watson

36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: [email protected] W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 3 Insect of the Month: New Zealand Praying Mantis (Orthodera novaezealandiae)

These native creatures are ‘at risk’. According to Dr Holwell’s research, the native male praying mantis is easily wooed by the South African praying mantis irresistible erotic scent. They lack the in-built (evolved) caution the South African males have. Unfortunately, it does not end well for the wooed native mantis. Not only are they unable to mate, they are killed and eaten by the exotic female. Roughly, 70% of the native praying mantis are killed and eaten by the introduced Mantis. To save the native species, we need to get rid of the foreign praying mantis. Putting them in a freezer is the recommended approach. How can we tell the difference? The South African species are much larger. The females often have large, swelling bellies and the necks on both the females and males are narrower than their heads. Whereas the native species have necks nearly as thick as their bodies.

Pest Plant of the Month: Chinese Knotweed (Persicaria chinensis)

Chinese Knotweed is a threat to our native plants and forest as it can rapidly grow and smoother them. This perennial bushy vine can regenerate quickly from small plant fragments and can spread via contaminated gardening tools and machinery such as lawn mowers. This plant is used in Chinese medicinal products. It may be grown within the community for medicinal purposes without knowledge of the associated problems it can cause. Chinese Knotweed has been found growing in Canal Road, Avondale where Auckland Council contractors are controlling it. If you see this plant growing anywhere do not try to control it yourself as it may cause more spread. Please contact the Council and they will arrange control of the plant at no cost.

Pest of the Month: Chromatist causing the Kauri dieback disease (Phytophthora agathidicida)

An ancient fungus-like organism causes kauri dieback disease; however, it is not a fungus, but a chromist. It belongs to a group of organisms know as a water mould that lives in the soil and infects the kauri roots by damaging the tissue that carries nutrients and water within the tree. Without nutrients and water, the tree eventually starves to death. Currently there is no proven cure or treatment and nearly all kauri trees infected die. What we do know is the disease spreads through soil through dirty footwear, animal equipment and vehicles. A pin size of soil is enough to spread the disease. Within the Whau River catchment area, Rahui-Kahika reserve has kauri trees present. This reserve is closed to protect the kauri trees from people introducing and transporting the water mould to the kauri trees present.

36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: [email protected] W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 4 The Whau River Catchment Trust Restoration Projects

The 2020 Planting Season is ending and we only have a small number of plants left to be planted. Due to a relatively dry winter, the ground is rapidly drying out. The next important focus is for support from our Volunteers to help keep the weeds down around the new plants and our previous year’s plantings. As the weather warms up and the day length gets longer the weeds appear, so early action makes the work easier. One of our key methods of early stage weed control is heavy mulching which suppresses weed growth and retains moisture in the soil over the summer months. We look forward to your continued support.

YOU Can Make a Difference - Show your support for the local environment through our Givealittle Page

The work of the WRCT / FOW can now be supported through Givealittle. It is now possible for you to personally make a financial contribution, supporting the ongoing good work already underway helping to protect the Whau River, and for the continued restoration of wildlife habitats within the Whau River catchment. Money raised will go towards the purchase of ecosourced native plants, weed control, litter bins, and generally help with supporting volunteer restoration events for 2020-21. Thank you to all those people who have already made a donation.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION

Givealittle Donation Facts

Plants cost on the average around $4.50ea to buy at trade price. So 10,000 plants will cost around $45,000. Some of the plants WRCT use are funded by Auckland Council, but all additional plants we need have to be purchased or grown by WRCT. Can you help by supporting our Givealittle campaign for the WRCT to grow or purchase native plants for our restoration sites? Replacing weeds with natives and restoring wildlife habitats back to the River. The cost to prepare a site before planting and then to maintain it weed free for 2-3 years costs a significant amount of money. As Volunteers can only do so much, the rest of the job often requires experienced Council approved Contractors to help manage a site.

Donations & Other Ways to Support the WRCT/FOW

As a charitable Trust WRCT/FOW relies on the generosity and goodwill of individuals, corporates and funding organisations so we can keep doing what we do so well – improving the natural environment of the Whau River catchment for everyone to enjoy now and in the future.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO FIND OUT MORE

If you or anyone you know would like to donate goods, services, time or make a financial donation or a bequest, please contact Gilbert at [email protected] or phone 09-827 3374. We would love to hear from you and discuss how you can help! CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION

36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: [email protected] W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 5

Exclusive FOW Quality Supporters Apparel – Sweat Shirt for FOW Volunteers

How about supporting FOW by purchasing a FOW Sweatshirt for the changeable spring months and look the part when you come out to help.

Crew sweat, raglan sleeves. Heavy weight, 350 GSM 80% cotton, 20% polyester, anti-pill fleece. Neck and sleeve cuff ribbing, pre-shrunk to minimise shrinkage - Different colours available $52.95 incl. GST https://fow.printmighty.co.nz/products/fow-sweatshirt

Help promote the work of FOW. You can now buy quality Friends of the Whau T-shirts, Sweat Shirts, Hoodies, Singlets, Raglan Shirts, Canvas Bags and other apparel to show your support for Friends of the Whau. A portion of the sales will go to Friends of the Whau Support Friends of the Whau http://fow.printmighty.co.nz/products.

Biosecurity: JOIN THE PEST FREE WHAU PROJECT

Our vision is one where native birds and other wildlife can flourish, and everyone works together to support our natural heritage. We are focused on making the Whau River Catchment. Pest Free by 2050.

We are committed to eliminating the possums that shred our native trees, the rats and other predators that eat native baby birds and eggs and the weeds that strangle the native bush.

Some of our volunteers have begun pest monitoring, and setting out traps. Our strategy to support our native wildlife by removing pests will require a partnership between the community, businesses, schools and central and local government.

We need to bring people on board in their homes, their streets, and their workplaces as well as in our reserves by providing information and fostering a spirit of collaboration amongst neighbours to do their bit to control rats, possums, and other animal and plant pests.

Contact us if you can help and would like to get involved email [email protected] OR phone 09)627-3372.

Kids’ Corner: Quiz

1) What pest is 2) What large native 3) What bird likes to 4) What tree known for eating tree can grow on eat nectar? provides nectar native trees to cliff faces? to the nectar their death? feeding birds? a) Kiore a) Nikau palm a) Banded rail a) Puriri b) Possum b) Pohutakawa b) Tui b) Totara c) Hedgehog c) Silver fern c) Fantail c) Nikau d) Weasel d) Totara d) Weka d) Rimu *Answers are at the end of the ENews

36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: [email protected] W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 6 Community Science –Te Whau Biodiversity Survey 2020

The ‘Te Whau Biodiversity Survey 2020’ is in action on iNaturalist. Last year there was 1000 observations added to the iNaturalist app by people in the community. This year we want to double the number of observations. We need you to help us by taking photos of the animals and plants you observe in your backyard or in your local park. It is easy to do. Just download the iNaturalist app onto your mobile phone and start taking photos for 2020. It is a great opportunity to get out and go for a walk while in lockdown. Why not involve the kids. It is a fun way to learn about what plants and animals live in your local area. For more details and regular updates, follow progress in more detail on our Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment.

Just go to iNaturalist https://inaturalist.nz/pages/mobile_apps_nz if you need more information on how to use the iNaturalist phone app. The project recommenced in January 2020 and will run until the 31st December 2020, thanks to support from the Trusts Community Foundation and Whau Wildlink.

Join the iNaturalist Te Whau Biodiversity Survey - https://inaturalist.nz/projects/te-whau-biodiversity-survey-2020.

ALTERNATIVELY

Send an Email to - [email protected].

36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: [email protected] W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 7 WRCT Pest Free Whau: Be part of the effort to see the Whau River Catchment Pest Free by 2050

Kids’ Corner: Quiz answers

1) possum; 2) pohutakawa; 3) Tui; 4) Puriri

36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: [email protected] W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 8 UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY

Further details on our Website and Facebook Page

ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION

Day Date Time Site Thursdays Ongoing 10am -12.30pm Rosebank Peninsula. Check with Sandra [email protected] for location each week

Sunday 27-Sept 10am-12pm TBC Saturday 10-Oct 12.30pm-2.30pm Te Whau Day Out Archibald Park Sunday 25-Oct TBC TBC EE&A / COMMUNITY SCIENCE

Day Date Time Site

Saturday 12-Sept 10am-12pm Community Science – Kurt Brehmer Walkway. One space left. Collect data for a good cause. If interested please call or text Justine 021627864 or email [email protected] Sunday 20-Sept 10am-12pm Community Science – this event is full Tuesday 26-Sept 10am-12pm Stream water testing – Waikumete Cemetery. If interested please call or text Justine 021627864 or email [email protected] Saturday 3-Oct 10am-12pm Community Science – TBC - Collect data for a good cause. If interested please call or text Justine 021627864 or email [email protected] Tuesday 13-Oct 10am-12pm Stream water testing –TBC - If interested please call or text Justine 021627864 or email [email protected] Sunday 18-Oct 10am-12pm Community Science – TBC - Collect data for a good cause. If interested please call or text Justine 021627864 or email [email protected] Saturday 31-Oct 10am-12pm Stream water testing – TBC - If interested please call or text Justine 021627864 or email [email protected] Saturday TBC 10am-12pm Bird Count – event TBC - If interested please call or text Justine 021627864 or email [email protected] YEAR ROUND EVENTS

Date / Time Event Who Site All of 2020 Planting, plant releasing, All Welcome Kurt Brehmer Walkway Contact us for a date and Mulching and Clean-ups (Contact Sandra) and Rosebank Peninsula time to suit you [email protected] East All of 2020 Community Science: All welcome All of the Whau River Te Whau Biodiversity (Contact Justine) Catchment Survey (iNaturalist), [email protected] Stream Monitoring (Waicare), Bird Counts All of 2020 Predator Control – helping All welcome Rosebank Peninsula Contact us for a time & to check our trap lines (Contact Justine) date to suit you particularly on Rosebank [email protected] Peninsula. All of 2020 Community Plant Nursery All welcome Blockhouse Bay Rec. Contact us for a date and (Plant Propagation) (Contact WRCT) Reserve time to suit you By arrangement. [email protected]

36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: [email protected] W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 9 Regular FOW Volunteer Opportunities (Subject to C-19 Restrictions)

*Due to C-19 restrictions under Level 2, outdoor Volunteer activities are limited to groups of 10 people until further notice.

Thursday Morning Friends of the Whau Volunteers: Meet every Thursday to work on a range of sites and tasks, learning more about our Whau River catchment as well as getting the job done. Get in touch with Sandra if you would like to be added to the email list for this informal group. Sessions run 10am – 12.30 noon. Phone 021 295 0302 or email Sandra at [email protected]

Weekend Friends of the Whau Volunteers: Due to popular demand, if you are busy during the week, we now have more opportunities for you to join us on the weekends. Session times will vary to fit with the calendar, so check first with Sandra; where possible we will keep them to mornings 10am – 12pm. All are welcome to get active helping us looking after our streamsides with a range of tasks and sites. Check out our Website and Facebook page for details, drop Sandra a text on 021 295 0302, or email [email protected] to find out what’s happening at future events.

WRCT Internships 2020: The WRCT has volunteer Intern positions currently available. Internships may be part- time or full-time. A typical internship lasts between 1 and 4 months but can be shorter or longer.

The two primary types of internships are:

o Work experience internship: Most often, this will be in the second or third year of the school period. The placement can be from 2 months to one full school year. During this period, the student is expected to use the things he/she has learned in school and put them into practice. This way the student gains work experience in their field of study. The gained experience will be helpful to finish the final year of study.

o Research internship (graduation) or dissertation internship: students who are in their final year mostly do this. With this kind of internship a student does research for the Trust. The Trust can have something that we feel needs researching, or the students can choose a topic themselves. The results of the research study will be put in a report and often will be presented.

Another type of internship growing in popularity is the virtual internship, in which the intern works remotely, and is not physically present at the job location. It provides the capacity to gain job experience without the conventional requirement of being physically present in an office. The internship is conducted via virtual means, such as phone, email, and internet communication. Virtual interns generally have the opportunity to work at their own pace.

Please contact Gilbert Brakey at [email protected] for further details.

Stay in touch with us via Facebook and our website for more events and latest details.

For lots more info go to our website at http://whauriver.org.nz/

Contact the WRCT office for further details phone (09) 627-3372 or email [email protected].

36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: [email protected] W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 10

Contacts

To contact the WRCT Office – Phone the office on 09)627-3372 or email [email protected]

To contact Atu Fanguna – Office Administrator phone the office or 021 839 187 or email [email protected]

To contact Gilbert Brakey – Chair / Manager phone the office or 0274 378867 or email [email protected]

To contact Sandra Maclean – Ecological Restoration Coordinator phone the office or 021 295 0302 or email [email protected]

To contact Justine Newnham – Coordinator phone the office or 021 627 864 or email [email protected]

We gratefully acknowledge the support of Auckland Council RENH, Foundation North, Department of Conservation and The Trusts Community Foundation, Sustainable Business Network, The Trusts (West Auckland).

Auckland Council: Whau Local Board, Auckland Council Parks (Central West), Healthy Waters & the Environmental Services Unit.

Companies: TreeWorx Ltd & the Rosebank Business Association.

If you no longer wish to be on this email list, please reply with 'remove from list' in the subject

36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand P: 09 627-3372 E: [email protected] W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment 11