Funding boost for Big Sand Island recovery

The Tapora Land and Coast Care Group is one of 38 groups that will receive a grant from the Department of Conservation’s $9.2 million Community Fund announced last week.

This year, $7.2 million has been awarded to biodiversity projects that will protect rare species from extinction, and safeguard critically endangered rare ecosystems. A further $2 million will protect significant cultural heritage sites and maintain visitor infrastructure in the backcountry.

The Tapora group will receive $271,640 for weed removal and planting in wetlands and dunelands on Manukapua. This work will support critically endangered ecosystems and threatened bird species, including the tara iti/fairy tern.

investigating whether or not more help could be provided, such as subsidies or grants, so pet owners can potentially get help meeting costs of microchipping and desexing. With spring around the corner and the nesting season coming up, native birds (many of them in serious decline) are at particular risk from cats until they fly. Shorebirds such as dotterels, oystercatchers and terns are especially vulnerable. As a local example, in the last season, video camera footage was collected at Omaha and Snells Beach showing pet cats eating the eggs and chicks, and even a number of adult birds being taken by cats. Ideally, cats need to be kept indoors overnight (cats hunt mainly from evenings until dawn) and should be kept fed and pampered to encourage them not to roam. We’re encouraging cat owners to microchip their pets, keep them indoors at night, and take a look into the great range of cat containment options, such as catios and fence rollers, to keep your cat safe, happy and healthy.

Info: biodiversity@rre.org.nz

Manukapua, also known as the Big Sand Island, is on the western side of the Tapora Peninsula. Manukapua, and the Okahukura reserve opposite on the mainland, holds spiritual, historical and cultural significance to Ngāti Whātua.

A key objective of Kia Puawai ai ngā taonga o Manukapua Project is to eradicate pest animals such as stoats, rats, pigs and cats, and to remove weed infestations.

DOC national operations and regulatory services deputy director-general Marie Long says priority was given to the most critically endangered species and sites, ensuring the greatest possible impact from the funding available.

“Nationally critical species on the brink of extinction such as kākā beak, swamp maire, tūtūruatu/shore plover, kupe skink, and pekapeka tou roa/long-tailed bat will benefit from these grants, alongside critically endangered ecosystems and habitats such as chenier plains and ephemeral wetlands,” she said. “With a focus on important sites for threatened species and ecosystems, collective community efforts will assist in meeting these challenges.”