PATRON: RUUD KLEINPASTE PO BOX 48-232, BLOCKHOUSE BAY, AUCKLAND 0644 NEWSLETTER WWW.LITTLEBARRIERISLAND.ORG.NZ ISSUE 38 NOVEMBER 2017 FROM THE CHAIR I hope you have all had the chance now to watch the 11-minute approved funds for research into the genetics of Hauturu’s hihi video prepared for the Trust by NHNZ and generously funded by population. The fieldwork has now been carried out and we will the Becroft Foundation. It is free to view on YouTube – “Little have a report to share with you in due course. Barrier Island: New Zealand’s Ark” – and is a great heart- The Conservation Management Plan for Te Hauturu-o-Toi was lifter for those of us that love NZ’s unique natural heritage. approved by the Ngäti Manuhiri Settlement Trust and the Auckland I would like to welcome our newest trustee, Shane McInnes. Conservation Board and released in October (see page 4). Shane was a ranger on Hauturu for several years, but now Finally thanks to all our supporters, many of whom have given has a land-based job and a young family and is keen to give generous donations of time or money towards ensuring that something back to the island. The Trust is keen to benefit from Hauturu remains the jewel in the crown and the exemplar for his expert knowledge of the island as well as his youth and all other restoration goals around New Zealand. enthusiasm. Lyn Wade – Chair Sadly we acknowledge the passing of a previous trustee, Geoff Drew, who had retired from the Trust last year after many years as the accountant (see page 7). Congratulations to our newsletter editor Kate and partner IN THIS ISSUE Sam on the safe arrival of a new wee daughter, Indigo. Rangers report ���������������������������������������������������������������������������2 Keith Gell, DOC Conservation Services manager for the Gulf Islands, spoke to our July meeting about his role. We also had Old friends and new faces ��������������������������������������������������������3 Tom Trnski, Head of Natural Sciences at Auckland Museum, Hauturu’s new rangers ��������������������������������������������������������������4 to our October meeting to talk about marine reserve possibilities Te Hauturu-o-Toi Conservation Management Plan�����������������4 for the Hauraki Gulf. Käkäpö and kauri breeding link ����������������������������������������������5 Weed work continues on the island with assistance from Trust- A dream come true �������������������������������������������������������������������6 sourced funding. Our thanks go to Foundation North and the DOC Community Conservation Fund for this welcome support. A deep connection ��������������������������������������������������������������������7 The Trust has been working towards offering small amounts Parkinson’s rätä �������������������������������������������������������������������������8 of funding to assist with research on the island. We recently ‘Island Invasives’ conference: Hauturu on the world stage ����8 HAUTURU ISSUE 38 1 RANGERS REPORT August and early September were mostly taken up with preparation for the weed season and a response to the spread of the plant pathogen myrtle rust. Polly went off to the main- land for a couple of weeks to train and help with response at infected areas, and on the island we identified unaffected rätä, pohutukawa, kanuka, manuka, and ramarama that we could potentially collect seed from early next year. WEEDS The recruitment of the weed team went smoothly and so far the team has covered good ground with the number of weeds declining compared to last year. To date only seven climbing asparagus have been found this season – two of them were adult but not old enough to generate seeds. The number of pampas found has been significantly lower than last year, with no seeding adults found to date. The team is making good progress on the number of plots that have to be covered this year. HIHI The hihi team of five was on the island from 5 to 13 October to look at genetic diversity and sperm viability in the hihi population on the island. The birds caught had blood samples taken, with sperm samples taken from the males. A total of 36 hihi were caught in mist nets to determine similarities or differences between sites on the island. Samples were taken from Pohutukawa flat (6 birds), East Cape (6 birds), and the bunkhouse and valley track/Hamilton track junction areas (24 birds). 34 of the captured birds were male and only two female. This is in part due to the fact that the females were sitting on nests at the time, and a good outcome as males were predominantly targeted. The hihi team is planning to come back in March to capture more birds and continue to research genetic diversity. – – – KAKAPO Four more käkäpö arrived on Hauturu in July, two new faces and two old friends (see story on next page). The annual transmitter change in September went well and all of the birds were caught on the first attempt and within the time allowed. There were two teams, and neither returned empty-handed on any of the catching days – a first since käkäpö returned to the island. All of the birds were in good or very good condition with most of the males being very heavy – which helped us to catch them as they were comparatively slow moving! The good weight of the males indicates that they are likely to boom. The beech and kauri seed count has not shown high numbers of flowers or cones, but there are some flowers and seeds forming. We’ll have to wait and see if any breeding occurs this season. The käkäpö team were once again key actors and ‘Lollywood stars’ in Liam’s movie-making efforts. Leigh was on Whenua Hou/Codfish Island helping with the käkäpö transmitter change and health check. She was excited to catch up with Mahli (the chick hatched on Hauturu in 2014 and named by the Supporters after Liam and Mahina) and see that she was in good condition and doing well, as was her sibling Tohu. Richard Walle From top: Leigh with Mahli on Whenua Hou, the hihi team at work, helicopter pilot Roger Stevenson helping release the new käkäpö arrivals. 2 HAUTURU ISSUE 38 RANGERS REPORT OLD FRIENDS AND NEW FACES On 10 July, four more käkäpö were transferred to Hauturu, on to father Mahli and Tohu in 2014, meaning Wendy is their bringing the total number to 14. The new arrivals included grandmother. two older birds who have been on Hauturu in the past, and The birds were released by the island rangers as well as Deidre two younger females, Tiaka and Tia, who have settled in the vercoe and Bronnie Jeynes from DOC’s käkäpö team, and iwi southwest of the island. representatives Fiona McKenzie (Ngäti Manuhiri) and Tane Davis Blades, an older male and prolific breeder – the father of 22 chicks (Ngäi Tahu). The birds were carried a short distance up the hill – was one of the ‘originals’, caught on Stewart Island and taken and released following a blessing by Tane and Fiona. to Hauturu in 1982. In 1999, he was transferred to Whenua Hou/ In a lovely symmetry, Warkworth-based helicopter pilot Roger Codfish Island. Blades’ winter home-range on Hauturu was near Stevenson flew the käkäpö to Hauturu. He had transferred Wendy Te Hue point and though he’s been away almost two decades, off the island in 1998 – and it was his father who originally took he seems to have settled back in the same vicinity. her there in his helicopter in 1982! The other older bird is Wendy, also a known breeder. She arrived Hopefully the addition of another successful breeding male and on Hauturu from Stewart Island in 1982, and was taken to Te Hoiere/ three more females will help answer the question sooner about Maud Island in 1998, then transferred to Whenua Hou in 2001. whether female käkäpö can successfully raise chicks on Hauturu Her home-range on Hauturu was near Track 20, and within one without supplementary food. week of transfer she was back in her old haunt. During her last stint on the island Wendy mated with both Bill and Ox and had several nests, eggs and chicks on Hauturu. Clockwise from below: Flightless birds in flight from Whenua Hou; iwi representatives Tane and Fiona accompany the käkäpö on the Two chicks disappeared from the nest, but Dobbie successfully helicopter trip; Tane and Fiona release the birds on Hauturu; fledged in 1991 with the aid of supplementary food. Dobbie went Wendy in her new home; prolific breeder Blades. HAUTURU ISSUE 38 3 Hauturu’s NEW RANGERS Hi everyone, Polly and Andre here. Not We arrived on Hauturu at the end of June sure where to start but the last place we and were straight into a flurry of activity left off might be best. Polly and I were with the planned release of käkäpö the the island rangers on Stephens Island/ following week. A highlight for us was a Takapourewa for the last three-and-a-half visit to Orau gorge with Pete and Kathy years. Stephens is around 20 times smaller to have a look at some weed sites, a very than Hauturu and is known for its seabirds imposing and special spot. and reptile fauna – it’s home to between The last few weeks have been quieter with 20,000 and 50,000 tuatara and many Richard joining Leigh and the kids for a millions of seabirds, including fairy prions. much-deserved break off the island. Prior to Polly’s focus on the island was mainly this Richard and I were focused on getting looking after the nursery, propagating the sentry stations running, me used to the 10,000 trees from seed a year to help with boat, and learning anything else I needed the restoration of the island.