Open Space $7.50 MAGAZINE OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH II NATIONAL TRUST ISSUE 78 | MARCH 2010 International Year of Biodiversity | Focus on Coromandel | Diversity of Covenants Regional Representatives Contents Far North Greg Blunden Ph 09 407 1119 [email protected] 3 International Year of Biodiversity Kaipara Nick Matich 9 4 Event: High Peak Station Ph 09 439 8932 [email protected] Whangarei Nan Pullman 5 Diverse Canterbury habitats Ph/Fax 09 434 3457 [email protected] 6 Focus: Coromandel Northwest Auckland Dan Godoy Ph 09 521 3208 [email protected] 10 Connectivity in a working landscape South Auckland Lynda Fleming Ph 09 238 5739 lfl [email protected] 12 Diversity of covenants Coromandel Hamish Kendal 11 14 Know your natives: Olearia shrubs and moths Ph 07 866 0770 [email protected] Waikato Rex Webby 16 Celebrating achievement: Dedicated people Ph 07 825 2250 [email protected] 19 Archaeological sites: Coromandel Waikato East – Taupo Hamish Dean Ph 021 741 222 [email protected] 20 Fencing: Gisborne and Tararua Waitomo – Otorohanga Malcolm Mackenzie 22 Research: Forest fragments Ph 07 873 7728 [email protected] 21 Bay of Plenty Maggie Bayfi eld 24 Pests: Wilding pines Ph 07 312 5356 mbayfi [email protected] 26 Fragments Gisborne Malcolm Piper Ph/Fax 06 867 0255 [email protected] 27 Covenants update Hawke’s Bay Troy Duncan 29 Trust people Ph 06 844 3838 [email protected] Taranaki Neil Phillips 30 About QEII Trust Ph 06 753 6433 [email protected] 32 In the community: Kaharoa Kokako 29 Central – Manawatu John Williamson Ph 06 328 6851 [email protected] Tararua Bill Wallace Helping you protect the special nature of your land Ph 06 376 7796 [email protected] Wairarapa Trevor Thompson QEII Trust helps landowners to protect signifi cant natural and cultural features on Ph 06 372 5870 [email protected] their land. Features include: • Landscapes • Forests and bush remnants Wellington Peter Ettema • Wetlands • Tussock grasslands Ph 04 970 0324 [email protected] • Cultural sites • Streams Nelson – Tasman • Coastlines • Geological features Philip Lissaman Ph 03 526 6114 [email protected] • Archaeological sites • Wildlife habitats Marlborough Tom Stein Landowners throughout New Zealand voluntarily protect nearly 93,500 hectares of Ph 03 574 2978 [email protected] their land through QEII registered covenants (or protection agreements). QEII Trust also helps by contributing funds for covenant projects and advising landowners on North Canterbury Miles Giller managing their covenants. Ph/Fax 03 313 5315 [email protected] QEII Trust also owns 29 properties, which collectively protect 1,686 hectares South Canterbury Rob Smith of signifi cant habitat. Most of these have been gifted to the Trust. Eff ective Ph 03 689 7735 [email protected] stewardship of these properties is greatly assisted by local communities and management committees. West Coast Mike Copeland Ph 03 789 7709 [email protected] COVER PHOTO The Queen Elizabeth II National Trust (QEII Trust) Monitoring the condition of a kiwi chick at is a statutory organisation independent from Coastal Otago Rob Campbell Jean and Duncan Macky’s covenant near Government and managed by a Board of Directors. Ph 03 439 4333 [email protected] Whangarei. See page 12 for more about QEII Trust is a registered charitable entity under the this covenant. Charities Act 2005. Registration number: CC28488. High Country Dr Brian Molloy Photo: Malcolm Pullman Ph 03 348 1077 [email protected] Board of Directors Chairperson: Sir Brian Lochore, Masterton Waiau Catchment Mark Sutton Deputy Chairperson: Yvonne Sharp, Kerikeri Open Space™ is published by the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust, Ph 021 540 814 [email protected] Bernard Card, Porirua PO Box 3341, Wellington 6140, New Zealand. Edward Ellison, Otakou Southland Graeme Watson Level 4, FX Networks House, 138 The Terrace, Wellington James Hunter, Porangahau Ph 03 230 4843 [email protected] ISSN 1179-3880 (Print) ISSN 1179-3899 (Online) Jo Ritchie, Helensville Phone 04 472 6626 Fax 04 472 5578 For details of the QEII Trust Regions, From outside Wellington 0800 4 OPENSPACE (0800 467 367) Chief Executive: Margaret McKee see CONTACT US on Design Toolbox Creative Editor Loralee Hyde Phone 04 472 6626 www.openspace.org.nz Email [email protected] www.openspace.org.nz Email [email protected] 2 Magazine of the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust Issue 78 | March 2010 News and Events Biodiversity is life Biodiversity is our life 2010 is the International Year of Biodiversity which celebrates life on Earth and the value of biodiversity. Biological diversity – or biodiversity – means the number and variety of all plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystems on land or in water where they live. It is estimated New Zealand has more than 80,000 native animals, plants and fungi. Although we have one of the most diverse areas of biodiversity in the world, we also have one of the highest percentages of threatened species. Hawkins Tim Photo: QEII covenants help to safeguard New Zealand’s biodiversity by protecting our unique natural heritage in perpetuity for future generations to enjoy. This Open Space magazine celebrates the diverse habitats ‘QEII is uniquely and wildlife protected by covenants and the inspired and dedicated people who work together to protect our rich biodiversity. placed to advance The images in the 2010 International Year of Biodiversity logo refl ect aspects of the world’s biodiversity: fi sh, the protection water, birds, people and plants. in perpetuity Natural features Olearia odorata of threatened protected by QEII shrubland in covenants include forest Central Otago environments on was protected on remnants, wetlands, Oliverburn Farm in private land. Protecting shrublands, grasslands 2009. See page 14. and threatened species and enhancing our habitats. biodiversity involves Rare and threatened Kaharoa Kokako us all: landowners, native species are Trust monitors protected by QEII the threatened the community and kokako (Nationally covenants on private Vulnerable) near government. land throughout New Rotorua. See page Zealand. 32. By working together, our generous QEII works with so many The wide range of inspired and passionate people committed covenantors and their people who are creating to protecting our biodiversity keen supporters are a legacy for future is celebrated on helping to protect generations. pages 16-18. New Zealand’s unique natural features When required, The signifi cant covenants are fenced to Snowdon wetland forever.’ exclude stock from bush in Canterbury has been protected – Sir Brian Lochore and wetlands. This helps for 25 years. See QEII Chairperson to improve water quality page 5. in catchment areas. For more details, visit the International Year of Biodiversity website www.cbd.int/2010/welcome or Department of Conservation www.doc.govt.nz Issue 78 | March 2010 Magazine of the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust 3 News and Events Classic open space covenant in Canterbury with significant ecological and landscape values Over 100 covenantors and representatives from Environment Canterbury, Selwyn and Hurunui District Councils, Fish & Game and the Department of Conservation enjoyed a visit to High Peak Station in the Windwhistle-Lake Coleridge area on 18 November. They were invited for lunch with QEII directors and staff and for a walk through the 94ha covenant that has protected a braided shingle riverbed, sedgeland, tussockland and shrubland on the station since 1996. Settled in 1856 and owned by the Guild family since 1973, High Peak Station is a 3,676ha high country farm and private game estate in the Malvern foothills running 3,800 deer, 6,000 sheep, 550 cattle and 1,100 game animals. Sir Brian acknowledged the contributions QEII covenantors make, saying in his time as chairperson he has been fortunate to meet many generous people who have protected New Zealand’s natural Photos: Loralee Hyde and cultural features in perpetuity. ‘James and Anna Guild are typical of the landowners who look after their land for future generations,’ he said. James Guild explained how the fl ats along the Selwyn River protected by the covenant are valuable assets in the farm production system, particularly for lambing. ‘Light grazing helps to control exotic grasses and we make sure stock don’t damage the banks,’ he said. ‘The covenant management plan is a highly pragmatic way of conserving the natural vegetation.’ Miles Giller, the local QEII representative, described the covenant’s signifi cant ecological values. ‘Protecting this outstanding landscape is a wonderful example of why QEII was established and a testament to the vision of those who drafted the open space protection legislation,’ he said. Top left: Sir Brian Lochore and Miles Giller welcomed covenantors and other guests to the gathering at High Peak Station. Middle left: The High Peak Station covenant protects a classic landscape of terminal moraine in a glacial valley. James Guild explained how the area is managed to enhance conservation values along with farm production. Bottom left: Guests enjoyed a walk through the covenant that protects grey scrub species including matagouri, Muehlenbeckia ephedroides, the nationally threatened Olearia lineata (pictured), O. bullata and the native broom Carmichaelia torulosa. Inset photo: Ian Platt For more about the High Peak Station