Zealandia’s new fish release

Zealandia Te M a a T e has welcomed a new fish species to its waters – a fish that plays a unique role in the freshwater ecosystem.

Zealandia began releasing 160 toitoi/common bully (Gobiomorphus cotidianus), a fish that is endemic to this country.

This is the first time toitoi have been translocated in modern times and is likely the first freshwater fish translocation that has been done within Aotearoa New Zealand for restoration reasons.

Toitoi are found across Aotearoa but have declined in many places. They have been completely lost to the upper reaches of the Kaiwharawhara catchment, including Zealandia.

This project, in partnership with mana whenua, is part of a recent freshwater focus for Zealandia Te e.

The sanctuary is on a 500-year journey to create a corner of the world where New Zealand’s unique animals and plants can thrive in healthy, vibrant ecosystems – not just in the forests, but beneath the surface of the waters as well.

“Freshwater biodiversity is in trouble across Aotearoa,” Jo Ledington, Zealandia’s General Manager for Conservation and Restoration says.

“Poor water quality, habitat loss and disrupted connectivity are taking their toll on our unique species and ecosystems.

“This is why Zealandia is currently taking action to care for freshwater in the sanctuary and beyond.”

“By bringing back toitoi we’re working towards whole ecosystem restoration.

“Each species within an ecosystem plays an important role and makes it a richer, healthier and more resilient place,” she says.

K ahi, or freshwater mussels, were reintroduced to Zealandia in 2018. They rely on toitoi as to shuttle their offspring to a different part of their freshwater home.

Adult k hi “sneeze” their larvae (glochidia) into the water, which then attach onto the gills or fins of a nearby fish (preferably toitoi) to catch a ride away from their parents. Their unique relationship triggers and nourishes the larvae’s development into juvenile mussels.

Last month, Zealandia and a co-management group for the Paran hu Lakes (R Tiaki) began the translocation process which saw the freshwater fish journey from the Parang hu Lakes to eventually live in Roto M anga, Zealandia’s upper reservoir.

The fish had been in quarantine for three weeks to monitor their health as they adjust to their new environment before they were released to Zealandia’s waters.

Zealandia is at the headwaters of the Kaiwharawhara catchment, and this work will help create richer more interconnected ecosystems that will trickle downstream.

It is a key part of the sanctuary’s 100-year beyond-the-fence partnership project, Sanctuary to Sea Kia Mouriora te Kaiwharawhara.

Rediscovery of m tauranga i

Rent or Own? YIP!

Hey everyone! I hope you’re all staying warm and dry. With another major downpour for our friends up north, it is a timely reminder to have a plan and be prepared for what nature may throw at us. This week, I want to discuss the financial realities of owning a house versus renting a house. In the current market conditions, renting a house is significantly cheaper than owning the same house. Here are some points to consider:

Mortgage Interest: If you take the weekly rental income of a property and compare it to the mortgage interest of the property value, you will find that the rent does not cover the true cost of the property.

Locked Equity: With any property purchase, there is a deposit/downpayment to secure the mortgage, this may be 10%-20%. This locked-in equity is providing you with zero return if the business of owning the property is not profitable. If you had $150k deposit in a property, you could be obtaining around 5.5% in a term deposit and potentially more elsewhere.

Maintenance Costs: Not only do you have to pay rates and insurance, but you also have to pay for all maintenance costs on your own property. If it costs you $20k to paint your house every 10 years, that’s a $2k cost every year. When you take the maintenance and depreciation of every part of the home, the yearly cost can be significant.

Capital Gains: Ok sure, if property prices go up exponentially, the financial benefits of being a property investor can be significant, and there has been some wild capital growth in the last 50 years. Capital gains are directly linked to buyer affordability, which is linked to income vs interest rates. Property prices will only go up when buyers are able to offer more on houses.

Insecurity: Every day, more and more landlords are waking up to the realities of negative cash flow and that they are just subsidising their tenant’s lifestyle. More and more rentals are placed on the market and tenants are being displaced. Unless the market significantly recovers, tenants will be continuously displaced as properties come to market.

In New Zealand, there has always been this homeownership dream. In any market, there are through research is an important part of this translocation, helping to inform the collection, monitoring and release of the fish.

A toitoi/common bully (Gobiomorphus cotidianus.

“We have focused a significant part of our research into m uranga M ori a nd weaved what we have learned into the project so far,” Zealandia’s Bicultural Engagement Lead Ranger, Terese McLeod (Taranaki Wh ui, Clan McLeod) says.

“For example, researching traditional catch methods and using the maramataka to inform our decisions. We’re all learning together.

“It’s been special to begin resurfacing some of the tauranga around this species.

“This translocation has also been an opportunity to initiate a relationship with a species that we typically haven’t had much always people buying a home. The Kiwi dream of owning a home here is becoming less attractive as the attractiveness of moving overseas grows. At the end of the day, those that want to call New Zealand home will want to own their place and feel a sense of security and stability. In life, we do many things that make no financial sense but are purely for our non-financial satisfaction. We get a cup of coffee and get no return from it; we go on holiday and get no financial return on it. Yes, for the same cost to own your property, you could easily rent something far superior. But I do it to provide a sense of home and stability for my wife and kids. awareness of at Te M ra a T ne.

At the end of the day, everyone has different goals, and it is important to understand your goals and work out the best strategy to maximize your position. Homeownership isn’t for everyone, neither is renting. Rather just take any advice you read (including this one), set up a business plan, look at the true financials of renting vs owning – line it up with your morals, values, and goals, and see which way works best for you. If you would like, I’m more than happy to sit and have a strategy meeting about your property goals/ aspirations.

Have a great week, everyone!

“It’s been wonderful observing people embracing learning about toitoi and getting excited,” Terese says. The fish have come from Kohangapiripiri in the Paran ahu Lakes, where previous ahi populations have been sourced. These lakes are cared for by R Tiaki which is a co-management group consisting of Greater Wellington Regional Council and mana whenua, Taranaki Wh ui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika - Port Nicholson Block Settlement Trust, who Zealandia is working closely with.

“We want to acknowledge our incredible partners Tiaki, Taranaki W nui, N i Toa Rangatira and the Holdsworth Charitable Trust, for their support with this translocation,” says Dr Danielle Shanahan, Chief Execu- tive of Zealandia Te a a T e.

“We are also looking to our community to help us care for this taonga now, and into the future.

“One day, we hope the waters of the Kaiwharawhara that flow out from Zealandia will also be safe and welcoming for these incredible fish,” Dr Shanahan says.

Te Tiaki are proud to have had the opportunity to work with Zealandia on the toitoi translocation from Roto hangapiripiri to Roto M anga / Te ne,” says th collective.

These toitoi have an important role to play in improving water qualalready translocated to Roto hanga.

“We look forward to seeing our toitoi in their new home and watching them thrive as the ecosystem is restored.”