Today’s photo is of a resting New Zealand fur seal/kekeno in the Tonga Island Marine Reserve.

The eight hectare Tonga Island is the second largest fur seal breeding colony in the top of the South Island. The island is also home to breeding blue penguins, sooty shearwaters, a broadleaf forest and shrublands.

On Monday the Minister of Conservation announced that Tonga and Pinnacle Islands in Abel Tasman National Park will become specially protected areas to protect breeding colonies of New Zealand fur seals.

The decision means public access to these islands will not be allowed except by permit to prevent disturbing the seals. Permits to land on the islands are only likely to be issued for scientific research and monitoring or iwi cultural purposes.

Photo by Sarah Beall.

Beautiful Great Barrier Island Aotea is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, but in October 1894 it was the site of one of New Zealand’s worst shipwrecks with around 130 lives lost. Jackie Breen from the Heritage Team tells the story.

The SS Wairarapa was a well-known steamer on the Auckland–Sydney route, carrying 65 crew and 170 known passengers plus an unknown number of last minute walk-on passengers.

SS Wairarapa

Homeward bound for Auckland, the ship was making record time when it encountered dense fog after rounding North Cape, at noon on 28 October. The fog continued into the night, the new moon contributing to near zero visibility.

Good reputation, bad decision

The captain, John S McIntosh, was known as safe and competent so many passengers chose to travel with him. In spite of this, a later court of enquiry would lay blame for the disaster squarely with McIntosh. On the fateful evening, contrary to best practice and misgivings from the crew, McIntosh maintained a fast clip of 14 knots through the dark and foggy night.

Unfortunately, the ship was well eastward of its intended route- a combination of taking the wrong course from the Three Kings Islands, and not adequately adjusting the course for the vagaries of local currents. This, combined with the fast pace through the fog, doomed the vessel.

A few minutes after midnight the Wairarapa slammed into the cliffs near Miners Head, on the northern coast of Great Barrier Island.

The wreck of the SS Wairarapa at Miners Head

Chaos in the dark

Water flooded in through a hole in the ship’s side. Many of those on board slid off the listing deck into the sea; others were swept away into the pitch black night by heavy seas. Horses, sheep and cargo were also swept overboard, adding to the confusion and danger.

Only two life-boats were successfully launched, rescuing 50 people. The other boats were smashed or swamped. A lucky few had life jackets and some stronger swimmers made it to the shore.

Some passengers and crew left onboard clung to the rigging or climbed to the bridge. At dawn, an intrepid steward swam ashore with a line tethered to the ship, along which about 50 people were hauled to safety. These survivors huddled on rocks, trapped below vertical cliffs, for more than 30 hours while the third officer and two of the crew set out to seek help from local iwi, Ngāti Rehua, at Katherine Bay.

A painting showing the wreck of the SS Wairarapa

Islanders assist

Ngāti Rehua’s assistance in rescuing survivors and providing hospitality until they could be transported back to Auckland was crucial, as was their help in recovering bodies  and providing land for a temporary base camp and a burial site at Onepoto. As news spread, European settlers on the island also assisted with billeting of survivors and recovery and identification of bodies. For the purpose of burial two arms, two legs, and a torso constituted an individual.

Survivors and rescuers of the shipwreck.

Police, local volunteers, and fellow survivors worked together to recover, identify and bury those who perished. Those that were unidentified or unrecognisable due injury or shark mauling were buried in mass graves at Onepoto and Tapuwai Point. These are peaceful and picturesque resting places, with a view of the sea and surrounded by a white picket fences.

Many families on the island were presented with tokens of appreciation from the Union Steamship Company acknowledging their assistance and selfless actions.

Auckland alerted

News of the shipwreck took 3 days to reach Auckland (arriving at 3am on 1 November) as the island’s only regular contact with the outside world was via a weekly steamer, the SS Argyle.

The Argyle returned to Great Barrier to help collect bodies, a grim job that lasted 19 days. By 15 November, 81 had been recovered; 60 were buried on Great Barrier and 21 transported to the mainland.

Despite its remote location, news of the wreck gained international attention, dominating newspapers in New Zealand and Australia, and running for two days in the London Times.

Digging graves for unidentified victims

Pigeon post stamps

Pigeon post – the world’s first airmail

The 3 days it took for the news of the wreck to reach Auckland highlighted Great Barrier’s isolation, and led to the introduction of Great Barrier’s pigeon post in 1896. This was the world’s first regular airmail service with stamps.

Up to five messages were carried by a pigeon. One named Arie carried the first message on 29 January 1896, flying to Auckland in less than an hour and three-quarters. The fastest pigeon, Velocity, had a record 50 minute flight time, averaging more than 125 km/h.

Things to do

There are several walks and tramps of varying length and difficulty to enjoy on Great Barrier, including two short beach walks to the cemeteries that DOC manages for their heritage values – Onepoto Historic Reserve and Tapuwai Point Historic Reserve. There’s also a mountain bike track, bird watching, fishing and hunting.

If water is more your thing you can swim, kayak, canoe, snorkel and dive – at a depth of 4–15m the wreck site is a popular dive attraction. Or just relax in the hot pools!

Great Barrier Island

Further information

• SS Wairarapa Graves: Heritage assessment
• Genealogy roots website – The most up-to-date passenger list, with details of survivors and links to crew lists and history.
• Te Papa: Great Barrier Island pigeon-gram service

If you enjoyed this heritage story, check out Disaster on the Rimutaka Incline

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile Jo Mead, Community Ranger in Franz Josef.

Holding a kiwi

At work

Some things I do in my job include:

A large part of my work is statutory, such as processing concessions and assisting with Resource Management Act approvals. This work opens up a wide range of opportunities to talk to various community members and businesses. When I monitor concessions I can sometimes find myself in glorious sunshine in fabulous locations. When I have time, I help drive agreements with community initiatives over the line, often finishing work started by others in my office.

Successes so far include a short cycle/walkway enabling safe recreation off the highway, a wetland restoration featuring Okarito and Lake Wahapo, and everything in between. I’m now working with another group on a far more ambitious plan to extend the West Coast Wilderness Trail all the way to Franz Josef.

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by:

Helping locals to protect biodiversity or restore degraded sites and enabling recreation opportunities that suit families. The process of managing concessions can also demonstrate how closely linked the environment and economy are.

The best bit about my job is:

I work in one of the most spectacular environments in the country. Landscapes range from glacial mountains to sandy coastline, all crammed into a 20 kilometre wide strip. This brings me into contact with some very interesting people too. Being an avid gardener, I can call the whole region ‘my backyard’, so there is plenty to do.

The Waiho River teaches respect for Mother Nature.

The most awesome DOC moment I’ve had so far is:

Hiking up to Alex Knob with my mates Annie and Ester with just a little bit of snow left. Or, it might have been the time I was allowed to release a young rowi into the Okarito sanctuary – the first time I had touched a live kiwi in daylight.  Working with Te Runanga o Makaawhio, it was a day to be treasured. Also scary and awesome was when the Waiho river flooded in May; how stupendously powerful is water!

The previous DOC employee who inspired me is:

Now-retired Alison Dorrian, of Mangaweka. Although she often had reason to, she never swore! In fact, the whole team was pretty cool – we sought out and destroyed old man’s beard and white bryony along the cliffs of Rangitikei River. Their sheer joy for working in the environment was infectious, and I have brought that with me. Now I pursue gorse.

Searching for old man’s beard on the cliffs of the Rangitikei River

On a personal note

Most people don’t know that:

I am digitally impaired. It’s true – when I was a small child, I put my finger where it did not belong. You see, in those days the family hand-milked four cows and separated cream from milk in a hand powered, geared machine. My father had removed the back cover to repair the cogs, and failed to replace it by the time my older brother did the milk. Curious little Jo put her finger in to see what would happen, the tip of the index finger disappeared into the greasy cogs, Mum threw her bemused child into the Bedford and ‘flew’ up to the hospital. I learned that preserving jar rubbers do not work for compression (perhaps that was Mum’s lesson), Bedford trucks are awesome, and nail varnish looks silly on my hand.

Re-enactment of how I lost my finger tip

My happy place is:

In the forest. Any forest.

In my spare time:

I potter in the Okarito Nursery, or explore the many tracks and beaches along the coast.

If I could be any New Zealand native species I’d be:

Fungi. Talk about networks! No organism does it better than fungi. No forest exists without it – oh, to be so useful. I like stinkhorns for their outrageously fraudulent tactics for distribution.

Stinkhorn

Before working full time at DOC:

I was self employed mowing lawns, designing and planting or maintaining gardens, and completing my degree in Ecology. During that time, I worked summer break weekdays along the Rangitikei River destroying old man’s beard, weekends mowing lawns, and studying full-time during semesters. It nearly killed me but was well worth the effort. The views and the forests were so energising and the teams I worked with were awesome too!

Deep and meaningful

Climbing to Alex Knob at Franz Josef Glacier

My favourite quote is:

“If you think small things cannot make a difference, try going to sleep with a mosquito in the room” (Anonymous). It sums up my approach to conservation or any committee enterprise: your vote does count – or – we can clear those weeds one metre at a time.

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given is:

“Ask for help.” People will not think any less of you for it. Better yet: “Ask and ye shall receive” is so much more outcome-oriented.

In work and life I am motivated by:

A deep abiding curiosity for life, and enough pride to do it (life) well. I expect I will only have one go at it, and would like people to celebrate my life.

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is:

Do it one step at a time. When many ordinary people do small things often, it adds up to a great deal. So, have a crack at what interests you, and do not worry about the scale of the problem in front of you.

Question of the week

If you could know the answer to any question, besides “what is the meaning of life?” what would it be?

Why do people insert an apostrophe in a plural word which is not possessive?

By Jennifer Ross, Community Ranger on Stewart Island/Rakiura

“Why would you do that?” is one reaction I got when I told people I had walked the Rakiura Track in one day. Others were more positive and said “well done” or some other verbal equivalent of a high five.

Why would I do that? Because my friend Claire Simpkin asked me to, it sounded like heaps of fun and it was for a good cause.

The entrance to Rakiura National Park

Claire came up with the Rakiura Track Challenge as part of Orphans Aid International’s “Challenge for Change” Week. She had done quite a bit of planning including looking over the maps in detail and doing training walks in Invercargill. I had been driving a car around Oban for three weeks and doing very little walking – everyone trains differently.

We decided to start very early and stuck to that plan. I picked Claire up at 6 am. It was still dark out. Claire had unfortunately left all of her amazing, pre-planned food on the ferry the night before and we were leaving to start the track too early to be able to get it. She made do with food from her host’s pantry which seemed to fuel her just fine.

We started the track at Lee Bay at 6:30 am and as we began our walk, the sun rose above the horizon and light crept over the land and sea. The birdsong was beautiful and we were the only ones on the track.

Walking along the beach

When we hit Little River the tide was so low we could easily walk the beach route. After leaving the beach and climbing the stairs we heard something in the bush on the right side of the track. We stopped, listened and looked. A flash of brown feathers appeared and Claire asked me if it was a weka. We didn’t have to wait long before a large female kiwi poked her beak out from behind a crown fern and walked toward us on the path. This was the first time Claire had seen a kiwi in the wild and what a treat to see in daylight and right on one of our Great Walk tracks. The kiwi walked toward us before skirting around us through the bush and continuing along the path. This is the second time I’ve seen a kiwi walk along the Rakiura Track and it still cracks me up.

Daytime kiwi spotted!

We were buzzing with energy after that encounter! What a fantastic start to our day. Walking along Maori Beach we saw kiwi and deer prints in the sand. Shortly after the Maori Beach swing bridge we reached the turnoff to North Arm Hut. I pulled out a thermos of chai hot chocolate and Claire ate one of her salmon sandwiches. We sat and talked about the next stage of our walk as it was one we were both unsure about. I walked it two years ago and remembered it being hard. We packed up and got going.

We started calling the sections day one, two and three since most people take three days to walk the track. This got progressively more hilarious as the day continued. “Day two” had us roaming through beautiful forest filled to the brim with moss and ferns. We climbed our first real hills and walked across many helpful bridges over picturesque rivers. With good conversation and company, before we knew it we were jumping for joy at the half way buoy. This section took much less time than we had expected.

Bridge crossing

Seeing the sign to North Arm Hut stating it was five minutes away was another highlight. We stopped there for lunch and while we did try to eat outside at the picnic table built for giants, the sandflies were relentless and we decided inside would be best. We were right. After half an hour of eating, relaxing and being slightly amazed at ourselves for making it that far we set a departure time of 12:15pm and stuck to it.

Rest stop at North Arm Hut

Then there was “day three”. We had lost a lot of our initial enthusiasm and our legs were getting tired. We started walking in a purposeful, head down marching style and planned one small break in two hours. We took our break on a bridge over a wide stream and sat down slowly and tenderly, groaning about our knees and hips. We ate snacks, got up and walked on. And on and on and on.

Claire on the track

I knew it wasn’t far when we reached Kaipipi but it seemed to take forever. We finally reached the Ryan’s Creek turnoff and were ten minutes away from completing our goal.

Claire and I reached Fern Gully, took a watch photo with the track sign as proof of our arrival time and collapsed. Our 30 kilometre adventure took a total of 8 hours and 45 glorious minutes. Walking the Rakiura Track in one day is long but doable and mostly enjoyable. We felt like we’d accomplished so much and ended up raising $1,050 for Orphan’s Aid International.

Selfie time!

Thank you to everyone who supported us, whether it be through kind words of encouragement leading up to the event, hugs of congratulations after we finished, cold hard cash donations or a pickup from the end of the track.

By Fiona Gordon, Biodiversity Ranger DOC.

The Wairua River Government Purpose Wildlife Management Reserve (or Wairua River Reserve for short) is one of two main wetland areas remaining in the Hikurangi catchment, feeding into the northern end of the Kaipara Harbour.

It is home to a number of threatened plants including the nationally vulnerable heart-leaved kohuhu, and the Hikurangi swamp hebe – which, up until recently, had only been found in this catchment. A very special plant indeed!

Weeds like the chinese privet and wandering willie are a big problem for these threatened plants; out-competing them for light, and preventing their seeds from germinating by forming dense carpets on the forest floor.

The weeds threaten to dominate the reserve – changing the wetland structure and limiting the suitable habitat for our awesome native wetland creatures like the black mudfish and the Australasian bittern/matuku.

Last month, we tackled the woody weeds as part of a wider Living Water project (in partnership with Fonterra) to control transformer weeds in what is one of the best remaining wetlands in the Hikurangi catchment.

Help from NorthTec students

On October 13^th, armed with loppers, saws and secateurs, 14 students from NorthTec’s Conservation and Environmental Management program and their tutor, Tanya Cook, headed out to the reserve to help give our threatened plants a fighting chance.

The work is part of an annual event in partial fulfillment of the student’s pest management studies. All day long, the students toiled away, with the help of our DOC rangers (Marie Jordan, Miriam Ritchie, and myself) sawing and pasting, pulling and dragging, to clear the forest understory of privet.

The NorthTec team after a successful day weeding.

Volunteer Wednesday

The following week, reinforcements from the DOC Whangarei Volunteer Wednesday program came out to continue the charge. Nine hardy volunteers joined the island weed team (Dan Cowan, Deane Williams, and Piper Douglas), Ranger Fiona Watson and myself to continue to tame the privet jungle.

After hours of hard weeding the teams made a sizable impact, transforming what was a dense privet grove into a open forest of twiggy divaricating natives (finding a number of heart-leaved kohuhu in the process!).

The area cleared by the Volunteer Wednesday team last year – free from privet and wandering willie.

Once the nasty privet had been removed, we were able to spray the wandering willie, giving our special plants the chance to germinate and grow. The site will be sprayed again in March to catch any regrowth before it becomes a problem again.

It ended in an amazing transformation! It’s always such a lift to have the help and support of the volunteers and NorthTec students. It’s a great opportunity for the teams to experience some of the special wetland systems right on our doorsteps, and awesome creatures they contain.

It gives us a real boost with our progress at this site, which is great for morale! It’s amazing how much you can achieve with many hands.

Living Water

Living Water is a 10-year partnership between Fonterra and DOC who are working with dairy farmers, iwi/hapu, conservation groups, schools and other agencies to improve the health of five key catchments in significant dairying regions throughout the country.

The initiative is about working to improve water quality and the sustainability, abundance and variety of indigenous biodiversity; native wildlife and plants in the five catchments.

War on Weeds

Hundreds of invasive weeds are smothering our native forests, wetlands and coastal areas, harming our wildlife and transforming our natural landscapes. We invite you to join with DOC and Weedbusters to fight this war on weeds. 

Today’s photo of the week if from the Croesus Track on the West Coast of the South Island.

This track is a beautiful walk into the landscape of the Paparoa Ranges with a variety of local vegetation and wildlife along the way.

On Sunday Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith announced a new 45 kilometre Great Walk as a memorial to the 29 men killed in the 2010 Pike River Mine disaster.

The Pike29 Memorial Track will be constructed from Blackball to Punakaiki, and will include part of the existing Croesus Track.

The track is scheduled to open at the end of 2018.

By Wayne Beggs, Biodiversity Ranger in Akaroa.

What did dryland coastal Canterbury forests look like before the weeds and pests invaded? That’s the question DOC Technical Advisor Anna Paltridge and I set out to answer.

The block overlooks Little River township and Wairewa/Lake Forsyth

We had been searching high and low for a block of native bush that we could fence and protect when we found exactly what we were after at Little River on Banks Peninsula.

This north-facing patch of pasture and regenerating bush overlooking Wairewa/Lake Forsyth had been on the market for a while when we stumbled across it. The price was right, probably because farmers were put off by the lack of permanently flowing water.

We were surprised when we took a walk around the property and saw how much forest remained. A highlight was a grove of six perfectly formed mataī trees and a large kahikatea that somehow missed being milled as well as regenerating tōtara.

Exploring the remaining forest

The bush was alive with forest birds including kererū, bellbirds, grey warblers, brown creepers, fantails, moreporks and riflemen. We quickly put in an offer and it was accepted.

As soon as the papers were signed we got in touch with the QEII National Trust and Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust to start working towards creating two covenants at what we call Tirowaikare. This patch of dryland forest has survived burning, milling and grazing, and we wanted to make sure that it will be protected from future threats long after we are gone.

Kererū

Since our purchase, ecological consultancy Wildlands have made a couple of exciting discoveries.

First, Brian Patrick spotted a moth not seen since 1935, flitting about in a clearing. The small yellow torticid moth Epichorista lindsayi was first described by entomologist Stuart Lindsay who collected five specimens in a day at Little River in 1928. He found another five over the next five years on Banks Peninsula, but these were the last sightings.

Yellow torticid moth

Then Melissa Hutchison found a mysterious undescribed Amanita noddy flycap fungus. Looking a bit like Gandalf’s wizard hat, it’s been found only twice before in the South Island and eight times in the North Island. Experts are baffled as to whether this frilly-looking fungus is a New Zealand native or an import.

Amanita noddy flycap

Our dream is to showcase what lowland forests of Banks Peninsula were like before the arrival of animal pests and weeds. The previous owner pointed the way to what could be done by covenanting half a hectare of forest with the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust. Ten years later, that area is flourishing and we’re extending that covenant to seven hectares. We’re also covenanting another six hectares with the QEII Trust.

Nine years of regeneration on the left after stock excluded

It’s a big task that we’ve taken on. Many of my weekends are spent cutting weeds including barberry, hawthorn, boxthorn, sycamore and elderberry then smearing their stumps with herbicide gel.

Anna Paltridge and daughter Isla at Tirowaikare

My biggest worry is deer which I’ve seeing doing terrible damage in scenic reserves on Banks Peninsula. Anna and I opted to pay the extra for smaller-gauge fawn fencing, expensive but essential to protect our conservation investment.

The good thing is that we are getting a lot of help. Environment Canterbury granted us $65,000 towards building deer fences and $3000 towards weed control. This funding came from its Biodiversity Fund which distributes about $400,000 a year to on-the-ground actions to protect and restore biodiversity in Canterbury.

Weed busting

The QEII Trust gave us another $14,904 towards fences. Christchurch QEII representative Alice Shanks is helping set up monitoring and photo points so we can track our progress. We’ve also roped in a few friends to give us a hand with events like the Barberry Busters day that we’re hoping will become a regular event.

University students receiving a briefing before undertaking barberry control

University of Florida wildlife, ecology and conservation students have paid us a couple of visits. They said it was magical getting out in the field. Learning what it’s really like to conserve biodiversity was much more powerful than anything they’d learned in books, they said.

University of Florida students do some hands-on learning at Tirowaikare

There are plenty of rewards along the way, such as seeing the understorey return to the forest which turns yellow in spring with the flowering of many large kōwhai.

Thanks to all those involved in helping make this happen and for your continued support — our work at Tirowaikare has just begun.

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile Karlene Taylor, Personal Assistant and Administrator based in National Office.

At work…

Some things I do in my job include:

Primarily I provide administration support to the Communications Unit at National Office. Along with my business as usual tasks, I also organise the lunch time seminars, write the DOC in the news media round-up each Friday and recruit people for our ‘Jobs at DOC‘ blog posts— there is always plenty to keep me busy!

Buller Gorge on a recent South Island trip

This helps achieve DOC’s vision by:

Communication is a very important aspect to any workplace and our lunch time seminars provides staff the chance to share their work with colleagues. There is some really beneficial information that comes out of these seminars and it gives staff the chance to hear what people in other teams do.

The best bit about my job is:

The people I work with! The Communications Unit truly is an interesting space to be in. Prior to DOC I worked for the New Zealand Defence Force where I was in a totally different environment and culture. It has been fascinating so far learning about the communications world and how it works.

The awesome-est DOC moment I’ve had so far is:

Making new friends! As I have only been here for a short time and have come from out of town it’s always a little daunting starting somewhere completely foreign, but coming to DOC was possibly the best workplace to come to. Everyone was extremely welcoming and friendly and I can honestly say out of the 8 months I have been here I have met some wonderful people which to me is awesome.

Day tramp to Pencarrow lighthouse

The DOC (or previous DOC) employee that inspires me the most is: 

Difficult question as I have only been here for 8 months, however I find most of the people I have met so far really interesting, everyone has so many attributes to offer and are so interesting and knowledgeable in different ways.

On a personal note…

Most people don’t know that:

I used to be a marching girl! I marched in Wanganui teams from a young age through to my early twenties when unfortunately the teams in the region fizzled out. It was great fun and I got to travel all over the country with it, some teams even went international.

My happy place is:

I love the beach! There is just something so calming and relaxing about listening to the waves crashing in and having your toes in the sand and the feeling of wow I am on the very edge of the country. It has always been a place that gives me joy and when I am there with my children and loved ones—bliss!

Last summer at Himatangi beach

My greatest sporting moment:

I was working for the Air Force and was selected to represent the Air Force team at inter-services netball where we played against the Army, Navy and sometimes Police teams. I was selected three years running and had great tournaments and heaps of fun!

In my spare time:

I play sport and run, I love keeping fit and being outdoors, I am no stranger to camping, hiking and bush walking. I try to get into nature as much as possible and quite often take my children on adventures through the bush!

My biggest pet peeve is.:

People who throw rubbish out of car windows—disgusting.

Mucking around with best friend Emmeline at Himatangi

Deep and meaningful…

My favourite quote is:

“For beautiful eyes, look for the goodness in others, for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” – Audrey Hepburn.

The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given:

Don’t put off until tomorrow what can be done today, start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible.

In work and life I am motivated by:

My children — I need to be the best I can be in order to help them become the best they can be.

My conservation advice to New Zealanders is:

Get involved and see what’s out there, once people experience what beautiful treasures we have the more they will want to conserve them. Knowledge is the greatest ammunition you can have.

Question of the week…

What’s your most embarrassing fashion faux-pas?

I have more of these stories than I care to admit, however one of the worst occurred when I was at high school. I was in a stage show and we had to pick out our costumes to suit our characters. I chose a pastel pink chiffon blouse with matching pants. I was feeling confident for our opening performance, the audience filled with family and friends. Everything went well with no lines forgotten I was feeling great — that feeling soon came to a crashing halt when my friends watching pointed out the fact that my entire outfit was see through, clearly I didn’t take into consideration the fact that I would be standing under many lights. Needless to say I had a wardrobe change for the next performance!

By Anna Elwarth, Taupo

I reckon it would be many a retired couple’s dream to live on a world class golf course! One such lucky pair of retired breeding pair of takahē have moved to the Wairakei Golf + Sanctuary in Taupo, thanks to work undertaken by its bird-loving owner Gary Lane to secure the site from predators.

Grant the takahē watches from the 5th hole

This leaves room on Mana Island for a young pair to breed to help boost national numbers of the critically endangered bird. We are all hoping, and it’s not impossible, that the magic and beauty of Wairakei may just inspire the couple to rekindle the passion and produce some small blue fluff balls.

Not bad at all

Grant and Flotsom were released into the sanctuary near Taupo earlier this year to a small crowd of delighted local students and partners. They are settling in enjoying the long grasses and wetlands that surround the course.

The big release

Young students’ delight at the release

It was also a highlight for the team to see the release through the young eyes of the  Wairakei Primary School Environment Group. When the topic of takahē were first raised, only 1 of the 30 children knew what a takahē was. It was set as a homework assignment, in which some of the children brought in presentations and reference books, not knowing that this would win them a prize place at the release ceremony.

Takahē project by Danica Pearson from the Wairakei School Environment Group

Big birds can run!

The advantages of being shorter than adults is that 8 year old Danica Pearson was in the front row and took amazing video footage of the release.

For being big birds the takahē surprised the audience by running for cover when the boxes opened. “I loved the colour of the takahē. I thought they’d be slower than that!” said Isabel McAuley-Hughes.

Takahē Recovery Team Update

Through its 10-year partnership with Mitre 10 DOC has made significant progress in its Takahē Recovery Programme. With 40 chicks produced this year, the team has seen its best captive breeding season by far.

Takahē chick at Burwood

This year’s incredibly successful breeding season has meant that we are under more pressure than ever to find safe homes for takahē away from the jaws of introduced predators, particularly stoats.

Thanks to Gary Lane’s vision of offering a haven for New Zealand’s rare birds and plants,  Wairakei provides non-productive takahē a safe place to live out their days without taking up vital breeding territory.

Once presumed to be extinct, the takahē is one of only two of New Zealand’s iconic herbivorous ‘mega fauna’ to survive human contact; the other being the kākāpō.

In order to secure the future of the species, DOC has been working to increase the number of breeding pairs in secure (predator-free) islands and sanctuaries across New Zealand.

In time it is hoped that more takahē will be retired to Wairakei.

Here’s a creative (and different) way to celebrate conservation.

This year, there have been colourful and creative entries in Digital New Zealand’s GIF It Up competition (in association with the Digital Public Library of America, Europeana and Trove).

The competition has encouraged animators, history lovers and creative thinkers to use copyright-free heritage material and create an ‘innovative and endlessly looping’ graphic (known as a GIF or a graphic interchange format file).

Many entrants have been inspired by New Zealand flora and fauna. Have a look at some of the New Zealand entries:

Conservation High Tea

Christine Manning from Auckland used a previous Conservation Week video featuring Julia Crownshaw as inspiration for this year’s entry.

“High tea, high in the trees of Rotorua, was an unusual way to mark Conservation Week. Julia Crownshaw, cupcakes in hand, was the star of the video but it was the lady at the back who caught my eye. So I made her the star instead.”

Funky fungi

An image of Melampsora hypericorum from Landcare Research was turned into a GIF by Ting Sun of Wellington.

“What a great collection of New Zealand fungi from Landcare Research! I had so much fun with those funny little creatures, though I don’t want any Melampsora hypericorum near my garden.”

Entries from this year’s competition are now in the hands of the judges, but there have been some great previous entries worth noting as well.

Financial Whio

Last year, Jenna Gavin from Auckland submitted this entry of a New Zealand whio pulling ten dollar notes (also featuring the whio) out of its feathers.

Blinking Kaka

Also in 2014, Siobhan Leachman from Wellington entered this creation.

“This is my very first (and as you can see – very simple) attempt at making a GIF. I used a Kaka as I live in Wellington and we have been seeing them more and more recently due to the conservation work going on in Wellington… Thanks for the inspiration and extra push to help me learn a new and fun skill!”

To see this year’s and previous years entries, head to the GIF It Up website or have a look at their Tumblr gallery.

It sure is a unique and creative way to celebrate the nature in our backyards!

Today’s photo is of one of the rarest penguins in the world, the yellow-eyed penguin/hoiho, on Enderby Island in the subantarctic Auckland Islands.

The Auckland Islands are rich in biodiversity, however a number of species are in decline including this rare penguin.

For the last few weeks DOC rangers and volunteers have been monitoring yellow-eyed penguins/hoiho in the Auckland Islands to develop a better understanding of their population.

Jacob Anderson from The Sir Peter Blake Trust managed to snap this photograph while assisting with DOC’s monitoring work.

At around 1700 individuals, the New Zealand dotterel//tūturiwhatu is among our rarest birds, it’s officially ranked as ‘nationally vulnerable’.

NZ dotterel/tūturiwhatu

Constant disturbance from humans—and the animals that accompany us—prevents many chicks from reaching their preferred feeding habitat, the mid-tide zone, causing them to die prematurely. Post-mortems on some chicks have revealed that they have starved to death.

Beach babes!

Dotterel watch

Dotterel Watch is a partnership between DOC, community volunteers and the Newmont Waihi Gold mining company. The partnership is making a huge difference to the New Zealand dotterels’ survival.

The sponsorship from Newmont Waihi Gold enables the employment of a full-time dotterel ranger over the six month breeding season. The ranger provides technical, logistical and operational support for the network of volunteer dotterel minders.

Community support

Local communities have made the programme succeed, that’s where all the volunteers come from—often, they’re retirees. Then, they talk to their neighbours, who end up filling in the odd shift for them; next thing, they’re involved too!

The countless hours that volunteers have put in watching over the birds has resulted in some valuable behavioural observations and some innovative hands-on management lessons.

The dotterel strut

Results

Leggy blonde

The northern dotterel population is counted every seven years. Thanks to minders, the roping-off of nest sites, predator control and active management, breeding success on Coromandel beaches has improved from an average of 30 chicks fledged per season in the 1990s, to over 120 in good seasons. They nest at 48 different sites along the coast.

Dotterel Watch has expanded from protecting one site, Opoutere Beach, to today protecting over 70 per cent of their breeding habitat.

The dotterels themselves are starting to show up at new beaches, which hints that the population is beginning to expand.

Introducing the 11 talented interns who are joining DOC teams over summer to put their knowledge into practice and learn real-world skills…

DOC teams are made up of dedicated and passionate people, and our interns are no exception. Hailing from places all over New Zealand, and even overseas, they’re helping us with everything from GIS mapping projects to marketing initiatives and marine conservation.

Alexandra (Alex) Gadd

Alex arrives at DOC on a research scholarship granted by Victoria University, where she is currently completing a Bachelor of Tourism Management. As part of our recreation team, she is carrying out research on DOC campgrounds. Alex and her family lived in Plimmerton until she was 17; she calls central Wellington home now. Like most kiwis, she loves exploring the spectacular outdoor scenery that New Zealand boasts.

Alex Gadd

What are you most looking forward to during your time at DOC?

I am looking forward to conducting my research (analysing data) and creating a report – and also getting to understand all the various activities and processes that DOC carries out.

Baylee Smith

Baylee is our Historic Analyst Intern at National Office and will be working on various projects involving ARCHsite, the archaeological site database. She has been studying in Dunedin for the past five years, completing a BA (Hons) in Anthropology and Statistics, and is now studying towards a Masters in Archaeology. Born in the sheep shearing capital of the world, Te Kuiti, she likes to knit and is on a competitive laser tag team.

Baylee Smith

What are you most looking forward to during your time at DOC?

Learning from and getting to know the people who work here.

Emma Brown

Emma Brown

Emma also gained a summer research scholarship from Victoria University and is interning with the Marine Ecosystems Team, working on Baited Remote Underwater Video footage. Currently she is halfway through a Masters in Marine Conservation. She aspires to work in marine conservation and enjoys all water activities, such as fishing, diving, wakeboarding and boating.

What are you most looking forward to during your time at DOC?

Gaining valuable experience and practical knowledge and getting to know all of the people in the team.

Jessica Danby

Jessica is based with the Science Threats team in Hamilton, where she will be watching footage and analysing animal behaviour as part of the self-resetting traps project. Now finished her Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Waikato, she endeavours to travel and gain experience in scientific research fields both in New Zealand and abroad. Exploring Europe next April on a month-long tour is one of the first things she has planned.

Jessica Danby

What are you most looking forward to during your time at DOC?

Learning a lot more about conservation in New Zealand from the people who know the most about it, and also seeing theory learnt at University put into practice first-hand.

Gavin Poole

Gavin is the Marketing and Communications Intern in the Auckland Office and is busy with various projects, including running the Pai and Piri Facebook page and helping with marketing strategies to build awareness of DOC’s work around Auckland. He is studying towards a Communications degree at Auckland University and has just finished his second year. Balancing work, playing sports and studying occupies much of his time. Sight-seeing on a Contiki or doing an OE are on the cards in the future.

Gavin Poole

What are you most looking forward to during your time at DOC?

Definitely spending time out in the Hauraki Gulf looking at the beautiful islands surrounding Auckland.

Jing Zhou (Yoyo)

Jing Zhou

Yoyo joins us as a Marine Mammal Intern. She is working with the Marine Species and Threats team to generate a program that pools DOC’s marine mammal sightings into a central database. China is her home country and she grew up in Shanghai. Recently she completed her degree at Victoria University with a double-major in Information Systems and E-Commerce.

What are you most looking forward to during your time at DOC?

Gaining knowledge about a variety of marine mammal species.

Juliette Irwin

Juliette is contributing her skills as a Recreation Analyst Intern at National Office, which currently involves writing a report on the Recreation Consortium. As a graduate of Victoria University, she has studied Law and achieved a BA in English Literature and Music. She aspires to become a registered lawyer next year and perhaps practice Environmental Law, as well as do more travelling. Outside of the office, she plays the piano, the violin and sings.

Juliette Irwin

What are you most looking forward to during your time at DOC?

Working on fun and interesting projects, and meeting great people.

Michelle Barnes

Michelle Barnes

Michelle is working alongside the Geospatial Services Team. She will be assisting with numerous projects; at the moment she is updating DOC’s track information based on GPS data that staff have collected while walking the tracks. Michelle’s hometown is Feilding, and she has recently finished a Postgraduate Diploma in Geographic Information Systems through Massey University. She has a pet labradoodle ‘Paz’, and loves to explore the great outdoors by running, hiking and mountain biking with friends.

What are you most looking forward to during your time at DOC?

Meeting new people and learning new things. I’m interested in the variety of different jobs I will be working on and becoming familiar with the types of applications that DOC uses GIS for.

Nicole Sturgess

Nicole is also a Marine Intern; however she is based at the Westport Office in the Buller District. Part of her role is to revise the local Marine Mammal Stranding Operational Plan, and develop plans for the five marine reserves along the West Coast. She graduated from the University of Waikato with a Master of Science, majoring in Biological Sciences, and recently completed her master’s thesis which involved mapping within Paraninihi Marine Reserve using multibeam sonar and observation survey methods. Oakura was her home until she was 18. Besides conservation, she is interested in sustainable aquaculture and trains in Taekwondo and combat Hapkido.

Nicole Sturgess

What are you most looking forward to during your time here?

I look forward to working alongside and learning from my co-workers, who have experience and knowledge in the field that I am eager to dedicate my career to. As a marine intern, I have the opportunity to travel along the West Coast and familiarise myself with the five marine reserves, which will involve me getting out into the field and spending time in other DOC offices.

William Bannister

William is a Geospatial Intern in the Christchurch Office, tagging along with the Geospatial Services team for the summer. Naming a series of maps and working permissions are his current projects. Prior to DOC, he achieved a Bachelor of Science in Geology and was studying at the University of Waikato towards a Post-graduate Science Diploma in Geography & GIS. He grew up on a sheep and beef farm not far from Masterton. In future years, he aims to pursue a masters or PhD in the field of GIS and develop a career as a GIS analyst.

William Bannister

What are you most looking forward to during your time at DOC?

Learning how GIS works in the real world, as opposed to the ‘clean-lab’ environment of University.

Victoria Ward

Victoria will join the Communications Unit at National Office over summer to take part in a diverse range of writing, editing and publishing projects. After this internship, she will be returning home to Palmerston North to complete her Bachelor of Communication at Massey University, majoring in Communication Management.

Victoria Ward

What are you most looking forward to during your time at DOC?

Living in Wellington this summer promises to bring so many new adventures, and I can’t wait for things to unfold. I am most looking forward to exploring how my potential career could look in the real world and learning from the talented people here at DOC.

By Robyn Orchard, Communications Advisor

Taupo’s Summerset Retirement Village staff recently helped DOC collect seeds for a 50 year Landcare Research project.

The committed group of volunteers

The small group joined DOC staff and local Mataroa community members at Paengaroa Scenic Reserve just north of Taihape to collect a mixture of seeds which will be used by Landcare Research to analyse climate change, predict future seed masts and to improve predator control in the area.

Having community groups volunteer on such projects helps them to realise the kind of work DOC is involved in, makes people aware of the wide range of plants found in their local area and also helps to build relationships with the community.

Summerset volunteers

The Summerset staff really enjoyed their day out in the field, saying it was nice to get away from the office paperwork.

Staff members said it was the only work day where not a single complaint was heard and team member Jim said he got more exercise collecting seeds than when playing 18 holes of golf.

To show their appreciation, the Summerset group put on a barbeque for DOC staff and community volunteers at the end of the day.

Replacing the stockings on the seed trap

The Paengaroa seed project

The Paengaroa seed project is one of a number of seed collection/monitoring projects where community volunteer groups are helping out.

Training volunteers pays off in the long run with many going on to do other conservation work in their communities. It’s not about community volunteers doing DOC’s job. It’s about getting people involved in community conservation and learning about the work involved in conservation.

Collecting from one of the seed traps

Paengaroa is a special place for native plants with a remarkable concentration of rare species. It has been described as a botanical treasure trove.

Some of the nationally rare plants found at Paengaroa include Coprosma obconica, which only found at one other North Island site and a few South Island sites.

Other rare plants found at Paengaroa include the heart leaved kohuhu, two species of dwarf mistletoe and a larger mistletoe that lives on maire and lemonwood.

The heart-leaved kohuhu

Paengaroa is also home to the largest population of Gardner’s tree daisy, New Zealand’s third rarest tree.

The unique collection of plants at Paengaroa is a result of the climate and geology. The area floods and is often waterlogged, yet also suffers droughts and can have frosts any day of the year.

In 1996 Paengaroa was recognised for its rare plants and became a mainland island. Today, weed and pest control are main priorities for management of this special reserve.

Paengaroa Scenic Reserve

Community support

The Mataroa community is invaluable for its local knowledge of the area. Many have contributed by removing invasive weeds from their properties as well as choosing not to grow exotic plants with bird-dispersed seeds.

The community also has a role to play in the control of cats and are the first to know if a fence needs fixing, if sheep or cattle are in the reserve, or rubbish is becoming a problem.

Volunteers play a vital role in conservation in New Zealand, whether they’re working with DOC or other community conservation groups.

Volunteer for conservation today!

By Geoff Woodhouse, Conservation Services Manager

Problem – how to get an 800 kilogram light utility vehicle across 1,000 kilometres of water, landed on a rock then winched up a bluff. Solution – pull it apart.

Weighing of the frame and engine

This was the challenge faced by the Great Barrier Island team when the time came to replace Raoul Island’s two multi-use light equipment (Mule) vehicles, which were rapidly reaching the end of their useful life.

The team purchased two replacement Mules last year and the original plan was to have the Navy helicopter fly them onto the island as part of a planned re-supply mission. A request was put in to the Navy and approval was granted but the nearest date they could make the transfer was September 2016 – another year away!

With a little bit of lateral thinking, the team hatched a plan to see if one of the Mules could be stripped down to be light enough to safely transport it to Raoul Island on board the DOC vessel Hauturu. If this worked, the second one would follow in the December re-supply visit.

Moving the Mule before loading it aboard the Hauturu

The team on Great Barrier Island started stripping the first Mule down, weighing each bit until they hit the magic figure of 400 kilograms. By the time they had finished, the Mule was down to the frame and engine plus three wooden crates of “bits”.

The Mule getting loaded for the trip up to Raoul

Next it was loaded on board Hauturu at Great Barrier Island then transported on the three day voyage to Raoul. Once the team arrived at Raoul the Mule was carefully offloaded onto the HMNZS Manawanui tender boat which was at the island supporting Geological Nuclear Science work on tsunami gauges.

The Mule was taken across to Fishing Rock where it was winched off the tender boat and carefully lowered onto the rock. From there it was attached to the flying fox-way carriage and moved up the 280 meter fly-fox cable before arriving at the top and lowered into the waiting trailer.

Landing at Fishing Rock

Once all the crates containing the parts and roll bar arrived, the team set about reassembling the Mule and less than 48 hours after arriving the Mule was ready for action.

Mission accomplished! A happy team and a fully functional vehicle fleet

During the re-supply visit other repair work was completed including a new engine for the old Fiat tractor which had been out of service for two years and new rear tractor tyre was fitted to the New Holland tractor. Thanks to the re-supply visit the entire Raoul fleet is now operational.

Today’s photo of the week is of the first Hector’s dolphin calf to be spotted in Akaroa Harbour this breeding season.

The dolphin calf and mother were spotted by passengers from the cruise ship Dawn Princess that was visiting the area on Sunday.

Hector’s dolphins are among some of the rarest species in the world. Their slow reproductive rate make them particularly vulnerable.

They are also one of the smallest marine dolphins in the world, growing no more than 1.5 m in length—at birth calves are the size of a rugby ball.

The photo was taken by Black Cat Cruises which runs nature cruises and dolphin swimming experiences in Akaroa.

By Lou Sanson, Director-General

China and NZ – saving our red knots

During the week of 9 November, I was able to support the Miranda Naturalist Society (Adrian Riegen), Ngati Paoa (Gary Thompson) and Bruce McKinley from DOC at high-level meetings with senior government officials in Hebei Province, China.

Red knot

We were there to discuss the protection of seven kilometres of the Luannan Coast, where at least 50% of all New Zealand’s red knots land in late April/early May to feed on molluscs after flying for seven days non-stop from New Zealand, a journey of 10,000 kilometres.

50,000 red knots rely on these mudflats and our numbers have declined 50% over the last 15 years as the mudflats come under pressure from reclamation and the oil, steel and chemical industries.

From one small bay in Bohai, they get enough food within three weeks to continue their remarkable journey for a further five days and 5,000 kilometres, as they make their way to the arctic shores of Northern Siberia for breeding. In September they repeat the flight to New Zealand, returning again to the same small mudflats as they have done for thousands of years.

Bruce McKinlay, Vice Minister Chen Feng Xue, Yu Yue from the State Forestry Administration, Lou Sanson and Gary Thompson

It has involved 30 years’ work by people like Adrian, first using bird bands and lately geotags, to uncover the mystery of the red knots and really understand the high conservation priority it is to protect the last remaining seven kilometres of coast in China that provides their temporary habitat.

From Great Walks to Short Walks

At the beginning of November I joined our staff at the launch event to mark seven of the Great Walks being mapped using Google Trekker.

Lou Sanson, Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon, DOC’s Peter Hiemstra, Google Trekker Matt Janke, Prime Minister John Key, Google Trekker inventor Steven Silverman

Following this highly successful launch, Google and DOC are in discussions to look at future opportunities to work together – for example, mapping our short walks. This summer will see us promoting the Short Walks as a great way for people to get outdoors and see more of our country, on family-friendly walks ranging from 1-4 hours.

Matt Jenke, the Google Trekker on the Abel Tasman Coast Track

The Google Trekker project has been long in the planning, with DOC and Google working together on it since 2012, supported by our partners Air New Zealand. I’d like to say a huge thank you to the staff in CPU, GIS and the Operations and Partnerships staff on the ground who made it all happen and continue to work hard on bringing our tracks to life in virtual reality.

A visit to Fonterra’s farm

While in China, we were hosted by Fonterra at one of their Yutian Farms.

Fonterra is aiming to produce 1 billion litres of fresh milk in China and develop a brand around trusted dairy, nutrition and environmental management. The farm we visited was completely self-contained in terms of nutrient waste, employed 180 people, and had 14,000 cows.

Fonterra’s Alex Worker with DOC’s Bruce McKinlay at Yutian Farm

In terms of our Living Water partnership we were particularly pleased that Fonterra helped fund the cost of our delegation’s visit to China to save precious coastal ecosystems.

DOC’s National Spatial Excellence Award

Top recognition for GIS team

It was great to see our Geospatial Services team recognised with top honours at the National Spatial Excellence Awards, where their work on Battle for our Birds was acknowledged with the Environment and Sustainability Category award.

DOC’s GIS specialists do exceptional work so to see this recognised by their industry peers is fantastic.

As we look towards another potential beech mast event in 2016, this acknowledgement of their work on Battle for our Birds is very timely.

Congratulations to Wayne Tyson and the wider team for their win, and Norm Thornley and Duane Wilkins for being named as finalists in the awards.

Air New Zealand commercial

It’s great to see what Air New Zealand and DOC’s Commercial Partnerships Unit are doing to promote our natural environment with the new Air New Zealand campaign, Where to next?

The partnership with Air New Zealand is helping us to encourage kiwis to connect with nature and feel proud of our natural heritage.

The television commercial below was filmed in Abel Tasman National Park and features DOC Partnerships Manager Martin Rodd and Threatened Species Ambassador Nic Toki. The commercial will run until mid-December.

Come behind the scenes and into the jobs, the challenges, the highlights, and the personalities of the people who work at the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Today we profile Bruce Parkes, Deputy Director-General Science and Policy.

About you…

What’s your background?

I was born in Taumaranui – so I’m Bruce from Taumaranui, which is about as kiwiana as you get. However I grew up in Napier, so I consider myself a Hawke’s Bay boy.

I have a university degree in English Literature but with a good dose of economics so a slightly unusual combination. I worked the majority of my career in the electricity and telecommunications sector before joining the Government in 2009.

Where did you work before DOC?

Hawke’s Bay kid

I came to DOC from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in July 2015. At MBIE I was general manager of the policy group responsible for natural resources, energy and communications. I spent a lot of time on the project rolling out the ultrafast broadband fibre network to most of New Zealand. In 2013 I did a stint in the Prime Minister’s policy group which was a great experience.

I also have an additional role working with the Pike River families. That position came about in December 2012 after the Royal Commission Report and has meant being the central Government contact for the families throughout the last three years.

Why did you want to come and work for DOC?

I wanted to work here because I believe overwhelmingly in what the Department is trying to do. Not just in terms of conservation, but in terms of the emphasis on working with partners and communities and business – I found that a really appealing change for the Department.

What’s the biggest challenge or opportunity facing conservation?

I tend to see challenges and opportunities often as the same thing. Getting really clear about how we can harness all the amazing talent we have to best support DOC to achieve its long term goals is one of the things I spend the most of my time thinking about.

I see real opportunities over time in winning the battle against pests. Freshwater is a big priority for Government and I think that is an area that deserves more focus. I was really delighted at the announcement of the Kermadec Sanctuary and I am hoping that will be the start of a greater focus on marine conservation issues.

I can see lots of opportunities for us to shape the way we work with iwi given our shared objectives of kaitiakitanga.

And finally there is tourism which is knocking on the door of being our biggest sector in the economy. The majority of people come from overseas to see the conservation estate. How do we manage the impact on the environment of the huge increase in tourist numbers? What’s our role to support the tourism industry?

Bruce Parkes, Deputy Director-General Science and Policy

On a personal note…

What do you like to do outside of work?

We have four children who are almost off our hands – but they’re in boomerang phase so they are always coming and going.

I’m a keen mountain biker. I’ve had a bit of involvement with the Pollhil Reserve in Brooklyn, developing the tracks and trapping there. That’s an awesome asset to Wellington. I’m really pleased we’ve got 150 traps in the reserve. I have caught two weasels and I can now set a DOC-200 trap without losing my fingers.

As a family we like getting outdoors – I’ve done eight of the Great Walks, some of them more than once. My wife and I and friends are doing Lake Waikaremoana at Christmas time and the Heaphy in April next year. In January this year I climbed Mt Kilimanjaro.

I’m also in a Masters Soccer team, a member of the Miramar Golf Club and play bridge. I’ve been obsessed with rugby all my life.

On top of Mount Kilimanjaro

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

One of my mentors is Roderick Deane, who was my first Chief Executive. He told me there’s only three or four things every year in your working life that really count. There’ll be a whole lot of things you have to do competently, but there’s only three or four things that will really make a difference. The trick is not only to do those three or four things really well, but to understand what they are.

Which person living or dead would you most like to have around to dinner?

Charles Dickens – he’s my favourite author, he’d be incredibly interesting and entertaining and he’s got more energy than our Director-General Lou Sanson.

How did you get your fifteen minutes of fame?

Handstand near a hut on the Kepler Track

I’m mad keen on Lord of the Rings so I queued up to be an extra, and was tall enough to become a scale extra. That’s where you act in a scene standing next to one of hobbits or dwarves to make them look short.

I got to do seven or eight scenes in the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, working on three out of the six movies. I’ve been in scenes with the four hobbits, and all the dwarves and Bilbo. One of my scenes was literally the first day of shooting on the very first movie. While I was getting make up on I sat next to Elijah Wood, who was getting his hobbit ears and hairy feet put on. Because the movies hadn’t come out I had no idea he was famous. He was a very friendly hobbit to talk to.

You can spot me in The Fellowship of the Ring in the village of Bree scene, when Peter Jackson does his cameo in the film.

By Tony Beauchamp, Technical Advisor

As you’re lying under your favourite pohutukawa tree this summer, look up. If you see any yellow spots on leaves, flower buds (or fruits of other Myrtaceae species), reach for your phone, take a photo and call the Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) hotline—0800 80 99 66.

Pohutukawa flower

Don’t hesitate, and don’t touch it! If it is myrtle rust (Pucinnia psidii), a fungus that attacks Myrtaceae species (including rata, manuka, kanuka, ramarama, eucalyptus, guava and feijoa), it will be as mobile as talcum powder.

If you are off to Australia or Indonesia at Christmas, make extra certain your shoes, bag and equipment are clean before coming home.

Myrtle rust

Myrtle rust is not in New Zealand yet, but since October 2014, it has spread to Sumatra, Indonesia.  It is also established and spreading on Australia’s east coast and in Tasmania, which makes it worryingly nearby.

Because its spores are like a fine powder this rust is considered highly likely to get to New Zealand. The spores can be transmitted by wind and insects – although we consider the main risk into New Zealand is transmission via peoples’ shoes and personal items.

Impacts of myrtle rust

The rust’s impact on native plants and ecosystems will depend on the variety that gets into New Zealand, but it will impact all of New Zealand’s Myrtaceae to some degree and a loss of some Myrtaceae in their natural state is inevitable.

New threatened species could certainly be created and ecological integrity will be compromised especially where myrtles are a dominant species.  Ecosystem services, especially for commercial activities (e.g. manuka honey industry), tourism, recreation and landscape values will all be adversely affected to various extents.

Myrtle rust can hitch a ride on passing bugs

What to do?

If or when it gets here, we’ll only have a tiny window of opportunity for eradication.  Which is where you come into the picture. If you think you see something that looks like myrtle rust, call the MPI hotline straight away. Remember, don’t be tempted to touch it because if you do, you’ll spread it.

There’s a sobering lesson in the story of Australian inspectors who charged in and out of infected sites for samples, leaving clear radial lines of infection along their exit routes!

DOC is working with MPI to prepare for this incursion. Critical hygiene measures will be necessary to avoid the Australian mistake.