We had a chat with Peter DeLange, who, this year, won the Loder Cup for his outstanding achievements in flora conservation. We find out a bit about him and his work. 

Peter de Lange on Mangere island

I’m Peter DeLange, a Principal Science Advisor with the Northern Terrestrial Ecosystems Unit, Science & Policy Group for DOC. In my role I mostly work to make sure that DOC’s science needs mesh with those of other researchers so we can achieve a common purpose.

I also sit on various technical advisory groups and committees where I provide science advice. I have a role in science mentorship, working with DOC staff to help them realise their science goals, and outside DOC as a student supervisor. I work with Universities, Polytechnics, Museums and internationally with a range of researchers on a variety of mostly botanical (plant) matters.

Can you tell us a bit about your work and study history?

I am a Waikato lad. Born and educated at Hamilton – though I regard South Kawhia as my tūrangawaewae as it was there that my love of nature was nurtured. Prior to working for DOC I studied at the University of Waikato.

I have worked for DOC since 1990 when I was appointed as the Threatened Plant Scientist – there was only one position.. Over the years I have worked my way up to my current senior science role.

Peter amongst Celmisia incana plants in Upper Makatote

After publishing over 160 papers in peer-reviewed journals and 16 books, I’ve realised that I have now reached that stage in my life where I have too much to publish and not enough time to do so!

I really enjoy taxonomy (the science of naming, describing and classifying living things).. I have described (either by myself or in collaboration) over 70 new species or subspecies of ferns and flowering plants not only in New Zealand but also from Norfolk Island (Achyranthes margaretarum) and even South Africa (Clivia robusta). Over the last ten years I have switched to collecting bryophytes (liverworts, hornworts and mosses) and working more with lichens. Indeed, I am currently in the process of describing a new lichen from the Chatham Islands.

Peter eradicating pine on the Surville Cliffs

What’s your favourite plant?

It changes daily. I have a list of a few I often think about – Adams’ Mistletoe (Trilepidea adamsii) because it was to be our first well documented extinct plant (I have spoken to a range of people who saw it alive – most of them now dead) and I still feel intense anger that this extinction ever happened. This extinction could have been and should have been prevented.

Peter holding up a specimen of Trichomanes caudatum from Prospect Peak, Raoul Island

I also like Holloway’s Crystalwort (Atriplex hollowayi) – another threatened plant (one of our few native annuals and our only endemic strandline plant) which I named after the late John Holloway one of my Directors, and one of the very best people I ever knew – he got the best out of me and its so sad he was taken so early. I am also proud to have honored my friend Phil Knightbridge who also died too early, with a liverwort Frullania knightbridgei which we (Phils former flatmate Dr Matt von Konrat and I) named for him so that his children would grow to see the aroha and respect we had for him.

Let’s end with Ackama nubicola a tree found by accident in 2000 when a DOC contract worker Karen Riddell was sheltering under it in a Hail Storm in the Waima Forest near Hokianga. Her natural curiosity as to what the tree was resulted in the discovery of a completely new species, still only known from the general area where she found it. I find her discovery all the more significant in that it was of a big tree (up to 12 m tall) that grows on the side of a very popular walking track and former route between the Hokianga and Kaipara – traveled by myriad botanists, all, ironically looking for ‘something new’.

What are you plans going forward?

There is so much to do and the world is hardly boring. I have developed an interest in working closely with iwi to unravel the science behind their natural world.

Peter on the summit of Mangatea Bluff, Rarotonga

I have always had a deep interest in indigenous views on the natural world, and feel blessed to be able to do this and stay true to my science Recently I have been introduced to the concept ‘ako’ where we all learn from each other, together, constructively. My big shift is back to the very roots of conservation, working with people, because without people caring we are not going to get very far with the environmental issues we face.

Oh and yes I have a few hundred more papers to write……….

 “The mountain’s not going anywhere. If I play it safe today I can always come back and try again and again” – Sorrel, Ranger, Egmont National Park Visitor Centre

Exploring New Zealand’s winter wilderness is an experience like no other. You’ll probably have the place to yourself, and be able to explore miles of track without seeing another soul. Plus, you’ll be exploring breathtaking landscapes.

Hooker Valley. Photo: David Sagar

Winter hiking (or tramping as we call it in New Zealand) does come with some challenges, as Mountain Safety Council‘s CEO Mike Daisley points out:

“New Zealand’s known for very changeable and often very localised weather changes. People heading outdoors over winter need to prepare for the worst, take extra clothing layers and spare food. If you get caught out and have an ‘unexpected night out’ you’ll get very cold” said Daisley.

To help you get the most out of your winter adventure, follow these five questions:

1. Which way will you go?

Plan your trip

Seek local knowledge and plan the route you will take and the amount of time it is likely to take.

A great place to start is the DOC Visitor Centre closest to where you want to explore. DOC rangers have in-depth local knowledge to help you plan your activity.

If you can’t visit them in person, give them a call or flick them an email.

Ranger tips:

“Always talk to the Visitor Centre staff before heading out into the backcountry. They receive feedback from other trampers about track conditions and can warn you of any issues on the track (i.e. snow conditions, firewood supply, windfall etc.)” – the team at Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre

“Haste makes waste – if it’s a long trek, start your day early to ensure there’s enough daylight hours to complete your trip safely” – Sonya, Ranger, Tititea/Mt Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre

“Carrying a PLB* (or hiring one from the local DOC Visitor Centre) can be a life-saver – especially during the winter season” – Rossi and Margaret, Rangers, Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre

*PLB = Personal Locator Beacon

Photo: Loic Lassueur

2. How will help find you?

Tell someone your plans

And we don’t mean by posting photos on social media.

Tell someone where you’re going and when they should expect you back. Use the Outdoors Intentions process to leave information with someone you trust.

Even with the best preparation, things can still go wrong.

“Remember, if nobody knows you’re in trouble, you could be waiting a long time for help to arrive. You need to let someone you trust know where you are going and when to expect you back. That way, if something goes wrong, there is someone who can raise the alarm.

If you’ve followed the Outdoor Safety Code you’ll be in a better position to survive the night if something does happen, but in most cases ‘unexpected nights out’ are completely avoidable” – Mike Daisley, Mountain Safety Council

Video – Tell Someone

Mt Hut, Canterbury. Photo: Joanna Pedzich-Opola

3. What’s the weather doing?

Be aware of the weather

New Zealand’s weather is notoriously changeable, often being described as having “four seasons in one day”. Check the rural and mountain forecasts where possible and expect weather changes. You should always take a jacket regardless of the weather or length of your trip.

Aoraki Mount Cook Village during a snow storm. Photo: David Sagar

Ranger tips:

“Always check the avalanche forecast and familiarise yourself with the Avalanche Terrain Exposure Scale (ATES) on our website” – the team at Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre

“When you are caught in a white-out/blizzard on the alpine ridges, make sure you have the skills/knowledge to know where to go safely. Where you think the track is might in that case not necessarily be the safest place to walk” Karin – Ranger, Fiordland National Park Visitor Centre

“Make sure to pack your tramping gear into a thick waterproof plastic pack liner inside your pack, as well as carrying a good waterproof pack cover.  There is nothing worse than arriving at your hut or campsite to find a wet sleeping bag and clothes!” – Marion, Ranger, Nelson Visitor Centre

VIDEO – Be Aware Of The Weather

The weather you’re preparing for will depend on you destination. Our Rakiura/Stewart Island rangers have some insightful tips for visiting their neck of the woods:

• “Watch out for the mud” – Steve, Ranger, Rakiura/Stewart Island
• “It’s Stewart Island, it is going to rain” – George, Ranger, Rakiura/Stewart Island
• “We are really close to Antarctica!- be prepared for wet, wild & stormy conditions at all times- if it’s anything better consider it a bonus” – Di, Ranger, Rakiura Visitor Centre

Photo: Kerry Adams

4. Are you feeling up to it?

Know your limits

Always make sure your trip will be within your physical limits and experience level.

New Zealand has lots of different types of tracks – from high quality easy paths with clear track markers to very challenging routes with no track or markings. Before you go, make sure you’ve selected a walk/hike that’s suitable for you and your group.

Fantham’s Peak, Egmont National Park

Ranger tips:

“It’s okay to turn around – it’s as much about the journey as the destination” Sophie, Ranger, Tititea/Mt Aspiring National Park Visitor Centre

“I often plan my winter hiking trips around huts not too far apart” – Rossi and Margaret, Rangers, Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre

VIDEO – Know your limits

5. Got the right gear?

Take sufficient supplies. Having the right gear and supplies will be the difference between having an ordeal, and having an adventure.

Ranger tips:

Photo: David Sagar

“Going on a winter tramping trip, I make sure to take extra food and clothing.
You need to keep warm and refuel your body burning more calories during those
colder temperatures” – Rossi and Margaret, Rangers, Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre

“Ensure you have a good torch with spare batteries” – Justin, Works Officer, Rakiura/Stewart Island

“Take newspaper to light the fire – rather than rip pages from the hut book!
Most backcountry huts have fire places, but don’t assume there will be newspaper” – Helen, Ranger, Arthur’s Pass National Park Visitor Centre

“Always have a map as cell phones may not work in cold/wet conditions” – the team at Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre

VIDEO – Take sufficient supplies

Red Tarns. Photo: David Sagar

For more information check out Mountain Safety Council’s Get Outdoors with MSC video series, and make sure you #MakeItHome.

A group of students from Northland, Auckland, Coromandel, Taranaki, Gisborne, Wellington, Nelson and Otago were recently invited on a special trip to Poor Knights Islands Marine Reserve.

Photo: Darryl Torckler

The trip was the sixteenth annual Experiencing Marine Reserves Poor Knights competition prize, acknowledging students’ marine conservation action projects, sponsored by Dive! Tutukaka.

The winning students were involved in a variety of projects that addressed local marine issues such as campaigning council to change from plastic coated to paper parking tickets, storm water projects, and writing letters to Members of Parliament.

Judges were impressed by the passion these students demonstrated to protect the marine environment for future generations.

“This amazing trip has created many kaitiaki Tangaroa for the future. I know they will feel empowered to support marine conservation”

Karen McLean, Parent

Photo: Darryl Torckler

Experiencing Marine Reserves (EMR) is a marine conservation education programme focused on facilitating experiential learning opportunities. Since its introduction in Northland in 2002, programme uptake has continued to increase throughout the country.

DOC is a foundation partner of the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, the umbrella organisation for the EMR and Whitebait Connection education programmes. The DOC Community Fund supports the national expansion and community engagement activities of both education programmes.

Photo: Lorna Doogan

The concept of EMR is to engage schools and communities by providing the equipment and expertise for hands-on learning experiences in the ocean. The programme involves learning about marine biodiversity in the classroom, learning to snorkel in the pool, investigating local marine environments, and then venturing to a fully protected marine reserve. After this experience, students can compare unprotected and protected areas and are then supported to put their knowledge into action within their local community.

See how your local schools can get involved in the Experiencing Marine Reserves programme on the EMR website.

By Nicola Munro, Biodiversity Ranger

Dotterel mum and chick

Successful breeding season

Last summer saw another successful breeding season for Northern New Zealand dotterels on the Coromandel Peninsula.

DOC’s dotterel rangers and an extensive volunteer network form the Dotterel Watch Programme. They join forces every year for the breeding season between August and March.

The aim is to see adult dotterel pairs successfully hatch and raise their chicks to fledge, and join the small but recovering national population of Northern New Zealand dotterels/tūturiwhatu pukunui, one of two subspecies of New Zealand dotterel.

This season 55 dotterel nesting sites with 216 nesting pairs were monitored on the Coromandel Peninsula. This resulted in 131 chicks fledging – a very productive season!

Dotterels on the beach

Northern New Zealand dotterels

New Zealand dotterels are shorebirds, usually found on sandy beaches and sandspits or feeding on tidal estuaries. Their camouflage makes them difficult to see when standing still, but their habit of running quickly and pausing to feed makes them easy to identify.

Northern New Zealand dotterels are a threatened, endemic species that are only found in the northern two thirds of the North Island.

New Zealand dotterels have a national population of around 2175 – less than some species of kiwi.

The Coromandel

The Coromandel is one of only two regions that provide an increasing contribution to the population of New Zealand dotterels.

The productivity of this region is due to the coordination of community efforts with the support of DOC to protect and enhance survival rates.

Dotterel rangers spend the season working with and assisting beachside communities who have the privilege of sharing their backyard with returning, resident dotterel pairs every year.

Dotterels in Schools

The Dotterels in Schools programme is also incorporated into the season with the aim to involve younger people in an interesting conservation topic they can witness in their local area.

Students learn about the significance of native, endemic species (in particular the dotterel) and have the opportunity to create a sign for their local beach to share a special message they have learnt.

Signs for the local beach – created as part of the Dotterels in Schools programme

How you can help

People, their pets and vehicles pose a major threat to New Zealand dotterels. You can help by staying out of roped-off areas and keeping dogs and vehicles off beaches and sandspits when dotterels are present.

There are still many Coromandel beaches that require dotterel minders If you are interested in being involved get in touch – a dotterel pair nearby may need your help!

Northern New Zealand dotterel chicks

A big thanks to all minders, volunteers, students, and organisations who give their time in one way or another to protect this threatened endemic species.

The Queen Charlotte Track, while not an official Great Walk, is considered pretty great by the thousands of walkers and mountain bikers that experience all or part of it each year. But what makes it truly special, is the plethora of partnerships that turn the track from great to awesome…

The 70 kilometre track could almost be considered one of DOC’s original partnerships, with its management involving the Marlborough District Council and 10 private landowners. The landowners are represented by the Queen Charlotte Track Landowners Co-operative who work closely with DOC and Marlborough District Council in maintaining the track.

Landowner Rod Eatwell with one of his signs

The landowners were the driving force in creating the track. In the early 1980s the Commissioner of Crown Lands proposed the idea of a track along the Kenepuru Ridge to landowner Rod Eatwell, and much of the work to form the walkway was done by Rod and his neighbours.

By 1985 funding became scarce and parts of the track were closed. Undeterred, the landowners continued to keep the section between Black Rock and Punga Cove free of gorse. The landowners continue today to look at ways of enhancing visitor’s experience, and have provided seats, tables and signs, all in the landowner cooperative’s unique style.

Landowner signs and seats provide the track with its unique flavour

Alongside DOC and the Queen Charlotte Track Landowners Co-operative, sits the QCTInc. This is the marketing arm for track operators who provide accommodation, food, guiding companies and water taxi’s, and they do a fantastic job at promoting the track.

DOC is also currently completing a three-year partnership with Yealands Family Wines who have sponsored $75,000 for interpretation panels and website stories for the track. They have also provided over $30,000 a year from sales of its new ECO wine range to support biosecurity on predator-free islands in the Marlborough Sounds.

Yealands Family Wines sponsored the interpretation project

The new interpretation project is based on the idea of consultation. Designer Janet Bathgate has come up with a complex jigsaw of stories based around the landscape features people could see from the numerous lookouts along the track. The result is stunning – over 50 stories are carefully interwoven around 3D maps.

Approximately 12000 visitors walk or bike the entire Queen Charlotte Track, and many more visit smaller sections as it travels alongside the Queen Charlotte Sound. These track users probably remain largely oblivious to the intricate relationships that make the track work, but the scenery and assets along the track will provide them with a unique experience they will remember long after the blisters heal.

Senior Ranger Margot Ferrier and landowner Lynda Kelly

DOCs Dirty Dozen Saloon was a hit at Fieldays. Now there’s a bounty out for DOCs most wanted weeds. Submit sightings of the Dirty Dozen weeds and you’ll be in to win $100.

Our Dirty Dozen Saloon at National Fieldays 2017. Photo: DOC

“Our aim for Fieldays was to raise awareness that weeds are an environmental problem” said Community Ranger, Danielle Hart. “Weeds are plants in the wrong place, and in the wrong place they can destroy native biodiversity and devastate landscapes.”

The hustle and bustle of Fieldays inside the DOC site. Photo: DOC

“Lots of our Dirty Dozen species are rather attractive garden escapees, and to the untrained eye they may seem harmless.”

“These wanted posters are a fun way to tune people in and encourage them to be on the lookout for wanted fugitives in their local area.  The bounty adds a bit of incentive too!”.

The Dirty Dozen competition encourages reporting sightings of weed species through the iNaturalist app. Users capture a photo of a weed and can guess which of the dirty dozen species it is. Then experts from the online community will confirm the sighting within about 24 hours.

The sightings feed valuable information to scientists working to understand patterns of invasion and how uncontrolled weeds are destroying our native landscapes.

Recognise these bad guys? WANTED weed posters on display at Fieldays. Photo: DOC

Encourage your community to join the bounty hunt!

To enter the competition users need to make at least one sighting of Dirty Dozen species and add this to the NatureWatch NZ Dirty Dozen project before the 30^th of August.

It was one year ago today that the goal of a predator-free New Zealand by 2050 was announced. Community and public support to date has been overwhelming. The unity between community groups, businesses, individuals, and wider public has given New Zealand a solid foundation to continue to build large scale predator-free projects, grow community initiatives and make advancements in science and technology.

To celebrate, we’re reflecting on a few highlights of the past year and the progress we’ve made so far.

Predator Free 2050

The Government’s target of a predator free New Zealand was announced one year ago by then Prime Minister John Key. It is an ambitious goal to rid New Zealand of possums, rats and stoats by the year 2050.

These introduced predators kill around 25 million native birds every year. Wiping out these predators will allow our birds and other native species to thrive.

Ship rat attacks fantail nest. Photo: Nga Manu images

The Predator Free 2050 goal combines the resources of government agencies like DOC and the Ministry for Primary Industries to work in partnership with local communities.

A new company, Predator Free 2050 Ltd, has also been established to play a key part in achieving the Predator Free 2050 vision. Their role is to direct investment into regionally significant predator eradication projects and breakthrough science solutions.

Top row, L-R: Gary Lane, Sir Rob Fenwick, David MacLeod, Arihia Bennett, Jeff Grant, Devon McLean Bottom row, L-R: Traci Houpapa, Jane Taylor (Chair), Hon Maggie Barry, Warren Parker

Threatened Species Strategy

The draft Threatened Species Strategy was launched on 10 May – a call to action for the nation to get behind efforts to protect our precious native plants and animals. Predator Free 2050 is the springboard for protecting our native species and will play an integral role in implementing the strategy.

Predator Free Rangers

DOC has appointed a group of nine Predator Free Rangers. Their job is to help communities scale up their predator-free efforts, commit people to the cause and coordinate together. They will help plan trapping strategies, set up trap libraries and ensure we get the most out of everyone’s time and effort. Predator Free Rangers will be the community’s point of contact, expertise and know-how in DOC.

Communities

Support around the country since the Predator Free 2050 announcement has been overwhelming.

Last year Predator Free Wellington was launched with the goal of becoming the world’s first predator-free capital city. Earlier this year, Dunedin got on board with a Memorandum of Understanding between 19 organisations including community conservation groups, iwi, DOC and councils. Auckland Council recently announced the goal of a Pest Free Auckland.

Businesses are also playing their part. Kiwibank is supporting communities to take on the predator-free challenge. Their initiative has seen selected communities receive subsidised trapping equipment and support to establish community backyard trapping programmes.

The NEXT Foundation has also encouraged and supported communities to become predator-free by appointing Kelvin Hastie as the NEXT Predator Free Community Champion.

You can find your local predator-free group on the Predator Free Trust website.

Projects

Together with local government, iwi, philanthropists, and community groups we are tackling large-scale predator-free projects around New Zealand. Some of these projects include:

• Project Janszoon – controlling pests in Abel Tasman National Park and supporting the reintroduction of key native species.

• Cape to City – restoring native species across 26,000 ha of farmland from Havelock North to Cape Kidnappers.

• Taranaki Mounga – working towards the goal of making Egmont National Park predator free and safe for native birds.

There are some great examples of what’s possible when people join forces to work towards a goal not achievable by any individual alone.

Taranaki Mounga releasing New Zealand robins/toutouwai

Science and Technology

Not all the technology to make New Zealand predator free yet exists. Scientific breakthroughs will play an important role in achieving the predator-free goal. This year the Government has already invested $1.24 million into three multi-year projects to improve our predator control tools.

There are also number of organisations working on making predator control technologies safer, more cost effective and efficient. These include:

• The Cacophony Project – turning birdsong into data and using the best IT technologies to dramatically improve our trapping ability.

• Zero Invasive Predators (ZIP) – an environmental initiative that focuses on using innovative methods of predator control to sustain New Zealand’s native bird life.

A satellite transmitter on ZIP’s modified DOC 200 trap

You can help

We’ve got a long way to go, but we’ve made a start.

We need your help to make the goal of a predator-free New Zealand a reality. Find out more about the Predator Free 2050 goal and how you can get involved on the DOC website.

Seals – they’re cute, charismatic and currently experiencing a population comeback. Our Marine Species and Threats Science Advisor, Laura Boren, shares tips on how we can all live alongside our marine mates in harmony, and why it’s sometimes important to let them be.

New Zealand fur seal/kekeno are compelling creatures – anyone who’s been lucky enough to witness them playing along our rocky shorelines can testify to that. Different to their international cousins with their external ears and hind flippers that rotate forward, kekeno draw attention wherever they wind up.

From August to September, kekeno pups begin to wean as their mothers prepare for new pups. This means an influx of curious adolescent kekeno begin appearing on our shores – and sometimes, further inland.

We like to think of it as “silly seal season”, and with the fantastic increase in the population – going from near extinction to more than 200,000 – we are going to see more and more of them!

New Zealand fur seal/kekeno. Photo by andrewwalmsleyphotography.com

Seals can wander as far as 15 km inland 

While it may seem strange to come across a seal in a place where you think it has no business being – such as a paddock, roadside or even an inner-city street, this is actually perfectly normal exploratory behaviour. As the population increases on the North Island, the places they explore become more and more built up than the South Island paddocks.

When the pups – and sometimes even older kekeno such as sub adults not tied to a breeding colony – are exploring, they can follow rivers and streams and end up many kilometres inland. Generally speaking, if they got themselves in there, they are perfectly capable of getting back. The Ohau waterfall near Kaikoura was a perfect example of this. Elsewhere in New Zealand, they’ve been found as far as 15km inland!

That’s why DOC takes a “hands off” approach to seals. We often get criticised for not intervening but that’s because kekeno are capable and resilient – if we give them time and space they usually find their own way home.

Photo: Nadine Gibbs.

The Kaikoura colony is also a great example of this species’ resilience. During the November 2016 earthquake, their colony was all but buried. True to nature, the kekeno took stock of their situation and moved into other, more suitable habitat along the coast. From what we can see from aerial monitoring they are adjusting well to the major disturbance.

There are exceptions of course – if one is found in poor condition, in immediate danger, tangled in debris or causing disruption such as sunbathing in the middle of a road, DOC will intervene.

Seals can become reliant on humans for food

Kekeno also habituate easily which means they can become reliant on humans for food. Feeding them when they are small may not seem like a big issue but we want our kekeno to behave like normal seals – fully grown males bailing people up on the beach for their fish and chips is not normal!

So while intentions to feed our seals may be fair, you could be causing more harm than good.

New Zealand fur seals near Ohau Point (2014) ©Bernard Spragg

What should you do if you find a seal?

1) Is it in danger? Call 0800 DOC HOT.

If you come across a kekeno you think is in danger, the best thing to do is give us a call on 0800 DOC HOT. We have people trained in marine mammal response who can determine what the best course of action is.

2) Never attempt to handle a kekeno yourself, or move it from its location.

They are a wild animal and while they may look cute and cuddly they can be very aggressive when threatened. We advise to stay at least 20 metres away at all times. Handling can also be very stressful for the animal, and moving very young pups away from where the mother has left it makes it very difficult for them to reunite.

Someone once picked up a young pup from a South Island shore and took it on the ferry to the vet on the North Island. Sadly, this animal had to be put down because it was too young to survive on its own and its mother would never be able to reunite with it.

3) If you’re unsure, call us.

In New Zealand we are so lucky to have passionate and caring people who want to help our wildlife in any way they can. If you come across a seal in a strange place ask yourself; does it have access to a stream or waterway? Is injured or in immediate danger? Is it being harassed by people, dogs or something else?

If you’re unsure, give us a call, we are more than happy to help out wherever we can and sometimes the best help we can give is to leave them be.

Today is World Ranger Day, a chance to celebrate the amazing things that our hard-working rangers do across Aotearoa all year round.

Here’s a snapshot of the wide variety of jobs our rangers do on a daily basis…

6:30am: David – Visitor Centre Ranger 

Each morning at the crack of dawn, David heads out to the Visitors Centre garden to say good morning to our local hut warden, ‘Carlos’.

Carlos has been a stalwart of the old Empress Hut for many years, and is a friendly face each day for the team.

He’s well kitted out with all the right gear and helps our visitors understand what it was like for the first explorers and climbers staying in the huts on the slopes of Aoraki/Mount Cook.

8:15am: Danial – Predator Free Ranger

Danial starts the day with some strategic planning in the office at Ohakune Ranger Base – because failing to plan is like planning to fail!

After the planning phase is complete, Danial travels to Rangataua Forest which was closed due to massive snow falls, to clear the track and collect the possum monitoring wax tags.

9am: Andrew – Senior Biodiversity Ranger

Andrew heads out with his conservation dogs Neo and Beau, who are highly trained to detect native birds.

Usually the sight of a dog’s bum isn’t of much interest to anyone (except another dog), but today Beau is head-down-bum up, looking for active grey faced petrel burrows, which are starting to re-colonise the Ohiwa headland.

10:30am: Mithuna – Biodiversity Ranger

Mithuna is on a mission to re-capture weka that were monitored as part of a survival study through a previous rabbit control operation.

Mithuna has waited patiently for the bird to enter the cage. Once they’re caught their monitors are cut off and the birds are set free again.

11:45: Tom – Senior Fishery Ranger

Tom and his team carry out a drift dive on the Tauranga-Taupō river.

The team of divers are counting fish and taking note of the number of spawning adult trout migrating to the upper section of the river to identify trends in the size of the mature trout population there.

12:30: Krysia – Educator 

Taupō ranger Krysia celebrates the release of a new Toyota Kiwi Guardians site by helping kids discover what’s living in the stream.

2pm: Miriam – Operations Ranger

Miriam and her two dogs are not too chicken to carry out surveillance on the local rodents.

Miriam’s highly trained Conservation Dogs are experts at detecting rats and mice. They cover lots of ground sniffing out the pests, as well as putting out tracking cards on the Hen and Chicken group off the Northland coast.

 3:30pm: Jamie – Biodiversity Ranger

Cook Landing Site National Historic Reserve in Gisborne is one of the most important sites that DOC manages, and the Joseph Banks Gardens are an integral part of the visitor experience.

The Reserve is central part of the Tairāwhiti Navigations Project that will be part of the Sester-centennial celebrations in 2019, and no one will stand in Jamie’s way to ensure the site is looking fantastic at all times!

4pm: Wendy – Predator Free Ranger

Predator Free 2050 Community Ranger Wendy Sullivan discusses the upcoming year’s trapping programme with Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary’s Project Coordinator, Rachel Russell.

Kaipupu Wildlife Sanctuary is an inspiring, community-run mainland island in Picton Harbour.

No day is the same at DOC. Thanks to all of our rangers for their hard work and dedication to New Zealand’s nature all year round.

Do you know an early childhood centre, school or community group that’s doing great restoration work or wants to get started and doesn’t know how? Becoming Habitat Heroes is a great place for them to start! This is a call to encourage us all to promote this year’s Habitat Heroes competition in our own spaces.

Students measuring the depth of the school swamp. Photo: Lynmore Primary Enviro Club

The Habitat Heroes Competition is a DOC run competition that encourages young people to explore a local natural environment and think about how they can make a difference.

This year’s competition runs until the 29^th September, with three $500 voucher prizes to contribute to the conservation action project identified in the entry up for garbs. There will be prizes for each of the following categories:

• Explore your local green space
• Explore your local marine space
• Explore your local stream

To enter, groups of two or more students need to:

1. Get a teacher or group leader to register the group online.
2. Explore and investigate the health of a local natural environment. There are teaching and learning resources available to help guide teachers and group leaders.
3. Share a summary of the work on any online forum (school blog, YouTube, Facebook etc.) or social media platform with the hashtag #HabitatHeroes and send the link to conservED@doc.govt.nz

Entries from already existing investigations are welcome – it doesn’t have to be a new project and entries from both school groups and community groups are encouraged.

 Don’t forget to check out the teaching and learning resources for this competition, and other supporting resources on the DOC Education webpage – www.doc.govt.nz/education

Focus on Habitat Heroes in action:

Students from Lynmore Primary School in Rotorua have become fresh water habitat heroes after recognising key problems in their school stream. Rubbish, bank erosion, unwanted pests and a leaky swamp encouraged these students to make a plan of action on creating a healthy habitat for frogs, koura and other water animals in their school’s backyard.

Lynmore Primary Enviro Club collect rubbish from the Waitawa stream. Photo: Lynmore Primary Enviro Club

An investigation into these problems, to understand exactly what they were up against meant the students were better able to identify key solutions for their Waitawa Stream Restoration Action Plan! Their final plan of action included weekly stream clean ups, planting of new plants, like flax along the stream banks to prevent erosion, building of a dam to stop their swamp from drying up and creating areas in the stream to restore koura habitats.

Find out more about their journey here: Waitawa Stream Restoration

Country Creche mini beasts hunt. Photo: Linda Jones

Children at Country Crèche, Hamilton have been coming up with some creative ideas to make their playground insect friendly. The centre have become green habitat heroes by working towards developing a native area in their grounds to attract native weta and

birds. Students at the creche even constructed an incredible Christmas tree insect house for Hamilton’s ‘Trees at the Meteor’ 2016 event.

Check out this slideshow they put together to share their learning.

Christmas tree insect house. Photo: Linda Jones

Feeling inspired? Encourage your local schools and community groups to enter the competition and share the learning and inspiration with the rest of New Zealand.

How can you tell if a slug is native to New Zealand? By checking if its patterning looks like the veins on leaves.

Photo: Herb Christophers

New Zealand has over 30 species of native slug, all of which are leaf-veined. Introduced slugs, like the ones you’ll find eating your garden veggies, don’t have the leaf-vein patterning, and instead might be one solid colour or spotted.

You’d be lucky to come across one of these natives though, as they’re nocturnal and spent most of the day hiding under heavy things like damp logs. If you do find one in your garden don’t worry, they won’t snack on your prized cabbages. Leaf-veined slugs prefer to dine on algae and lichens that live on the surface of the leaf, rather than the leaf itself.

If you think you’ve found a leaf-veined slug, take a photo and upload it to Nature Watch for identification.

Keen-eyed conservationist, 9 year old Mia Bentley, made an amazing discovery on Mahurangi Island last weekend. She found the rear leg of a giant wētā.

A population of Mahoenui giant wētā were translocated to the island nearly 18 years ago. We have been trying to confirm if they had survived on the island. Mia’s discovery sparked a search, and it wasn’t long before two live giant wētā were spotted. This is an extremely significant discovery, confirming the success of the wētā translocation so many years ago.

Mia with the wētā leg she found and volunteer Brian holding a Mahoenui Giant Wētā. Photo: Alaine Holdom

Mia was on the island taking part in a volunteer weekend on Mahurangi Island. 40 volunteers, including students and staff from Coromandel Outdoor Language Centre, joined forces with Department of Conservation rangers to brave the frosty mornings on Mahurangi.

The volunteer team. Photo: Jo Fearn

The mission objective – cut and re-establish the track towards the southern end of the island. The team cut an astonishing 1200 meters of walking track, cleared several viewing points and removed countless pest plants. It was an amazing achievement, and everyone went home happy with the sense of a job well done.

Left: Volunteers meeting Mahurangi Island resident common geckos. Photo: Alaine Holdom. Right: Volunteers stand at one of the newly established view points. Photo: Jo Fearn

These volunteer trips help to make Mahurangi a more accessible experience for visitors and establishing critical infrastructure to support better species monitoring. There is still plenty of work left on the Island and more trips will be planned soon.

If you’re interested in volunteering for conservation, you can find out more here.

Kekeno/New Zealand fur seals are the most common seals in New Zealand. As with our sea lions, they can be told apart from other seals by their ear flaps and back flippers that rotate forward, helping them move on land. Kekeno are smaller than sea lions though, and have a pointier nose.

Adult kekeno/New Zealand fur seal. Photo: andrewwalmsleyphotography.com

Kekeno/New Zealand fur seals have something unusual in common with many young New Zealanders. It’s not their diet – I don’t know many teenage kiwis who eat mostly squid and small fish, and it’s not their tendency to groan loudly at each other, although you could be forgiven for assuming that was the similarity I’m talking about. No, it’s their tendency to head off on adventures to far-away countries. Kekeno are partial to the kiwi ‘big OE‘.

One of the first accounts of our seals hanging out far from home was in August 2012. A seal showed up on Rurutu Island a little island in French Polynesia near Tahiti. Having no native mammals, the seal confused locals who sent an email to us to figure out where he’d come from. Rurutu Island is well over 3,000 kilometres away from New Zealand, so he was quite far from home!

New Zealand fur seal relaxing on a rock in Rarotonga

A few years later in July 2016 another kekeno was seen in Rarotonga, swimming in a lagoon. Again, this seal had to swim over 3,000 kilometres to get there, so it’s not surprising that locals described that he rested on a rock for quite a few hours once he’d finished frolicking in their lagoon.

New Zealand fur seal being checked in Tahiti

One month later in August another young seal was found wandering (or waddling?) the streets in Tahiti. This one was taken in by local authorities for a vet check before releasing it to the coast, but not without close monitoring to ensure the traveler was treated with respect.

New Zealand fur seal on the rocks in New Caledonia

The winter months must be a popular time for our fur seals to leave chilly New Zealand shores in search of a warmer climate, because only last month another seal was seen very far from home. This time in New Caledonia. This seal has showed up on the island’s west coast, in a little place called Poya. The seal was spotted by some surprised locals, who were worried because it had what looked like a shark bite on its back. The adventurous kekeno stayed on the beach for just under a week, under the watchful eye on the local police and a team of environmental officers, before setting off again.

New Zealand fur seal in New Caledonia

No matter where our fur seals roamed, the local Government authorities always got in touch with us to ask how they should protect their international visitors. Our marine adventurers are clearly in safe hands.

Two of Whangarei’s longest and most consistent volunteers for DOC were recognised for their efforts during last week’s ‘Volunteer Wednesday’, a monthly volunteering event run by the Whangarei Office and local community groups.

Alison Vesey and Trudy McKnight standing in front of the iconic maunga Manaia Photo: Laurence Sullivan

Alison Vesey has participated consistently in the “Volunteer Wednesday” programme since its inception in 2012 and volunteered for approximately 300 hours.

Alison clearing privet on a Volunteer Wednesday. Photo: Fiona Watson

She says that it was just by pure chance that she happened on the programme.

“When I retired I was asked to feed my neighbour’s cat while they went on holiday. Tucked under the cat’s food was a leaflet with a list of Volunteer Groups available in Whangarei. The list I came across had DOC asking for volunteers on the third Wednesday of each month”. – Alison

Already an avid volunteer for conservation with other groups in the Whangarei area, Alison recalls that she went along and has never regretted it.

Alison is part of the local tramping club, she volunteers regularly for Matakohe/Limestone Island (a kiwi crèche right in Whangarei) and has traveled extensively around New Zealand (completed all the Great Walks) and the world and still finds the time to join her fellow volunteer whānau when it comes time for Volunteer Wednesday.

Trudy joined the programme roughly a year later in 2013 and clocked up about 240 hours. Like Alison, she has been consistently attending since.

She first came across Volunteer Wednesday when she reduced her working hours to volunteer around Whangarei more. She saw DOC were looking for volunteers and joined up.

Trudy (left) helping out with on a Volunteer Wednesday. Photo: Fiona Watson

Like Alison, every Volunteer Wednesday is memorable for Trudy.

“Where would we be without DOC? Conservation is essential to preserve what we have and to restore what we have demolished in previous years” – Trudy

Trudy is also an avid tramper and has been on many of the Great Walks and other DOC tracks and staying in DOC huts along the way.

Alison and Trudy destroying wild ginger on a Volunteer Wednesday. Photo: Fiona Watson

These two amazing volunteers are truly an asset to Whangarei. They epitomize what the volunteering programme is all about — getting passionate conservationists involved in conservation, and providing opportunities for them to utilise their passion, and to help protect nature in their communities.

Want to get involved in volunteering for conservation? Find out more on the volunteering section of our website.

Motueka rangers are thrilled with a 48% increase in whio numbers at an intensively managed site in Kahurangi National Park.

Ivan and John banding whio. Photo: Leigh Marshall

A recent survey of the Wangapeka/Fyfe whio security site in Kahurangi National Park found 43 breeding pairs of blue duck/whio, with several kilometres of waterway still to be surveyed.  This is up from 29 pairs in 2012/13 when the last dog-assisted census was carried out.

Kate and Ivan catching whio. Photo: Chris Golding

Ten pairs were found on 10 km of the Fyfe River which is the best whio habitat within the security site; an increase from two pairs in 2006.  At one pair per kilometre, this is almost full capacity for the fiercely territorial whio.

Whio on the nest. Photo: Kate Steffens

Kate Steffens, DOC Senior Ranger Biodiversity, attributes the rapid increase in whio numbers to aerial 1080 operations across the entire whio security site in 2011, 2014 and 2016, combined with intensified trapping and Whio Operation Nest Egg (WHIONE) with the support of Genesis Energy.

“Whio are highly sensitive to stoat predation.  Monitoring has shown that up to 90% of nests fail, 60% of fledged young are killed and around 50% of adult females can be killed during the moult period (when they are flightless) in areas where these predators are not controlled.

Stoat at whio nest. Screen capture from CCTV camera

“Spikes in the number of ducklings produced in 2011, 2014 and 2016 clearly show the positive impact of aerial 1080 predator control on nesting success.

“There were 48 ducklings recorded in 2011 following an OSPRI aerial 1080 operation.  DOC’s Battle for our Birds operations in 2014 and 2016 also resulted in high duckling numbers of 65 and 40 respectively.  Numbers for the intervening years were 21, 18 and 23.”

Whio ducklings being raised at Peacock Springs as part of the WHIONE programme. Photo: Anne Richardson

The whio security site, centred on the Wangapeka and Fyfe river catchments, is one of eight nationally, which aim to ensure whio survive in the wild through DOC’s partnership with Genesis Energy in the Whio Forever Project.

The whio security site was first launched in 2003 when one pair of whio was found across 10 km of waterway, and the first 3.6 km of trap-line was installed.

Whio family at the Wangapeka/Fyfe security site. Photo: DOC

Genesis Energy has supported the Whio Forever programme in the Wangapeka/Fyfe since 2011.  Funding has been used for the Whio Operation Nest Egg (WHIONE) programme, more regular trap checks and replacement of the entire trap network from single-sets to double-sets.   There are now 1054 traps across 83.4 km of waterways at the site.

The objective of the Wangapeka/Fyfe whio security site is to maintain a sustainable population of at least 50 pairs, which is within sight of being achieved.

Local volunteers from Tapawera community maintain the front-country trap-lines in the Wangapeka catchment, while DOC staff and contractors manage the back-country trap-lines.

Kate says that this community contribution is a great help towards the Whio Recovery Plan and the national goal of making New Zealand Predator Free by 2050.

We caught up with Tim, a ranger on the front lines of the Save Our Iconic Kiwi initiative.

I’m Tim, a kiwi ranger with DOC in Fiordland. My job is to manage a new project monitoring southern Fiordland tokoeka (kiwi) at Shy Lake, between Wet Jacket Arm and Breaksea Sound.

Tim and Myrtle. Photo: Em Oyston

A new injection of funding has come into kiwi conservation under the banner “Save Our Iconic Kiwi”. Kiwi populations around the country are declining at an average of about 2% a year – quite a serious situation. It’s mostly due to predation upon kiwi chicks by stoats, cats, dogs etc. The goal for Save Our Iconic Kiwi is to turn this decline around, so that every type of kiwi is increasing at 2% a year.

Southern tokoeka feathers. Photo: Em Oyston

Some populations are already doing this – for example, the Coromandel North Island brown kiwi, and the small but growing populations of Haast tokoeka and rowi on the West Coast. However there are still widespread, largely unmanaged populations, particularly in the South Island. In Fiordland, there is an extensive but dwindling population of southern and northern Fiordland tokoeka spread across maybe a million hectares of rugged terrain. Protecting thousands of birds over such a remote and rough area is a huge challenge. On this scale, and in this environment, we’re not going to be able to cover enough ground through trapping.  We think the best and most cost effective tool we currently have available is aerial 1080.

Shy Lake. Tim/DOC

Aerial 1080 dropped every few years has been shown to increase the kiwi population at Tongariro in the North Island. However in South Island beech forests we may have to change the pest management regime to suit the different habits of Southern tokoeka and to match the frequency of stoat plagues. We know from projects like Battle for our Birds that aerial 1080 can reduce stoats to very low numbers. We also know that stoats can be at such low numbers that we can’t detect them on tracking cards, and yet still be killing kiwi chicks – the chicks are that vulnerable.

At Shy Lake, we’re setting up a new project to monitor the survival of kiwi chicks over the next five years or more. During this time we’ll distribute 1080 in the area and compare kiwi survival in years with and without 1080. There’s no direct risk to the kiwi from the 1080. If we find that aerial 1080 does allow the kiwi population to grow, then we’ll know that we’ve got a good tool to roll out across big areas of Fiordland. One little project on one peninsula isn’t going to do the job – we need to think big.

The study site. Photo: Em Oyston

The site at Shy Lake is very remote. We chose it partly because of that – it has never received any pest control before. Many of the areas bordering the road and lakes have received trapping or other pest control for years, and while this is great conservation, it muddies the waters scientifically in terms of predator dynamics. We wanted an area that represents the vast wilderness that is still untouched by conservation efforts, but holds thousands of kiwi. Shy Lake holds good densities of adult kiwi, and is a little less rugged than many other catchments in the area – in places at least. This makes it a workable site to run a project of this kind.

Having chosen the site, phase one for us is to catch some adult kiwi and attach radio transmitters to their legs.

This is the first post in a series about Tim’s work, follow the Conservation Blog to keep up to date on his progress. 

Want to understand people better? Visit the places that matter to them. Rebecca O’Brien faces the realities of West Coast life at Brunner Mine…

When I was on the West Coast recently, I paid a visit to Brunner Mine Site. I went to the abandoned coal mine to explore how DOC can help people understand New Zealand’s heritage places better.

Brunner Mine Site today

I visited one morning when the brooding weather was taking a break. The site is about 12 minutes north of Greymouth, where I had stocked up with a pink lamington from the local bakery. The road to it winds along a deep gorge carved out by Grey River – named by explorer Thomas Brunner, whose own name is tied to the industrial site I was going to see.

Firebrick and coke-making area of the coal mine at Brunner circa. 1980

From the carpark, I looked out across the river at the dark seam in the opposite cliff: it was the reason for the mine – and the memorials – it was coal.

Brunner today is spread across two riverbanks and joined by a magnificent bridge. I started my journey in an entrance shelter which looks out across the site. This peaceful place once provided half New Zealand’s coal – and the size of the site reflects this.

There is a lot to explore here – discoveries at every twist of the path: a sulphurous smell lurks near an entrance to the old underground mine; satisfying shaped beehive ovens that once turned coal into coke wait to be discovered; oddly-shaped brick-making building remains and machinery fire the imagination. And, of course – there are the memorials.

Brunner Mine memorial

Brunner Mine Site is the place where 65 men died one fine March morning – killed when New Zealand’s largest coal mine exploded around them. It happened over a century ago in 1896. It remains New Zealand’s worst industrial disaster – but it was not a one-off. Memorial after memorial to West Coast mining disasters cluster on this site. It is just down the road from the site of the Pike River disaster – the names of those 29 men sit alongside the 65 lost at Brunner Mine. Name after name on the memorials makes it clear that danger and death shape life for the people here.

West Coast coal mining incidents memorial

I had gone to Brunner to find out how to help people understand heritage places better. Yet Brunner was a reminder that heritage places matter because they help us understand people better. Brunner opened my eyes to West Coast endurance. People here have borne the dangers of work that gave the rest of us fuel, power – and attempt after attempt to keep us all safer at work.

Brunner Mine Site

To truly understand the West Coast and the people who live here, I think perhaps you have to come to sites like Brunner Mine. And that is why it matters to me that places like Brunner Mine exist. We all need places where we can get to grips with true West Coast grit.

Fancy exploring it yourself? Check out the Brunner Mine Site Walk or use our website to find another adventure near you! 

Want more information? Learn more about the Brunner Mine Area.

Did you know that snails lay eggs?

Photo: Gregory Sherley

These are the eggs of our native kauri snail. These giant snails can live for 20 years or more, and are very active – for snails. They have been known to move a whole 10 metres in two weeks.

Giant snails like the kauri snail were originally widespread in Northland, however many of them have become endangered or threatened since human settlement. They are now only found in small parts of Northland and some offshore islands.

Find out more about these snails and how you can help protect them on our website.

By Jessica Ayres-Greager, Project Administrator

This week I joined DOC ranger and kiwi guru Rolf Fuchs for a day out in the field. This was a special trip to track down Northland’s first kiwi chick of the season!

I went along to assist Rolf, take photos and most importantly learn lots about kiwi!

We were joined by Delaraine, a representative from Ngati Hine, 5 students from Te Horo School and a few other local kids.

This was my first time seeing kiwi so it was a special surprise when we found out there were two kiwi chicks where we thought there was only going to be one!

We were there to microchip, measure, weigh the 11 day old kiwi chicks and make sure they were doing fine. The kids named the new kiwi chicks Pipiwai and Kauri.

DOC ranger Rolf Fuchs measuring a new kiwi chick.

After the first task we then went to another spot and checked on an egg that was going to be relocated to Auckland Zoo.

Another surprise there were two eggs! Unfortunately one was no longer alive.

We took the other egg to Robert at the Bird Recovery Centre where it was placed in the incubator. Hopefully this egg will survive.

We all had a great day out in the field learning lots about kiwi and I felt very spoilt to have this opportunity to meet Northland’s very first kiwi chicks of the season.

Learn more about DOC’s work to protect and restore New Zealand’s kiwi populations on our website.

Working together for a common cause was the aim of the game for volunteers attending the annual Ruahine Whio Protectors hui this month.

Who are the Ruahine Whio Protectors?

The Ruahine Whio Protectors are a collaboration of dedicated volunteers from a variety of groups who are leading the stoat trapping work in the Ruahine Range. The Ruahines are home to endangered native species like whio, kiwi and a small number of kākā – all of which are vulnerable to stoats.

The work of the Ruahine Whio Protectors is one example of the incredible results being achieved by communities, businesses and government working towards the goal of a predator free New Zealand by 2050.

Whio. © Jonathan Astin

Why are the Ruahine Whio Protectors important?

The Ruahine Ranges are now the southernmost limit for whio in the North Island, they are extinct further south. The goal of the Ruahine Whio Protectors is to contribute to the survival of the species by holding the line and effectively stop their range from contracting further.

Ruahine Whio Protectors Hui, River Valley. ©Anthony Behrens

The Collective is achieving this by having keen, motivated and passionate volunteers, some driving up to five hours every month to check traps. Successful funding applications has also enabled many of their trap lines to be extended. However, their main measure of success is the whio themselves. Using specialised whio dogs from the Whio Recovery Programme several catchment areas were surveyed last year and the whio populations found to be holding their own. Without this predator control the numbers would significantly decrease.

Volunteer Ben Douglas giving a presentation on trapping around Oroua headwaters (Eastern side)  ©Anthony Behrens

What is the significance of the hui?

The annual hui gives all those involved a bigger picture of what is happening with whio and other species in the ranges, helping to create a sense of community and common purpose. It provides an opportunity for volunteers to meet others involved in the work, discuss challenges and successes and report back on what they are seeing at their sites. It also allows them to share resources and knowledge to increase efficiencies going forward.

Whio protectors have many talents. ©Anthony Behrens

How can I get involved?

If you would like to find out how you can help whio in the Ruahine Ranges contact the Ruahine Whio Protectors, or the Wellington Tramping and Mountaineering Club.