Forest & Bird

Tauranga Branch
Editor: Neil Everett NEWSLETTER
Email: nhe@xtra.co.nz
September 2009

Inside this issue:

Mary Scott — devoted supporter of F & B 
Mary Scott — 1 This Branch recently received a significant bequest from the estate of our late member Mary Scott, who
devoted F&B sup- died in January 2008. Appreciative letters of thanks for the gift have been sent to the family.
porter

Some of our members may not have known Mary as for the last few years of her life she became too

Where have all

4 frail to attend meetings, but many will remember her with affection from the days when she was very
active, participating in meetings and excursions of all kinds. She was always an elegantly dressed woman,
the big fish gone?
usually with a pretty silk scarf around her neck. She would say it was the first thing she put on in the
morning, to camouflage her tuatara neck. This was a term she borrowed with a chuckle after hearing it

Burger Wisconsin 5 from a young child in reference to her grandmother, Mary’s friend. It doubtless pleased her that the
child had used a simile from NZ native wildlife.
makes better
choice
The native forest delighted Mary and there were special things that she loved to point out to others.
She would keep a look out for the “dinosaur” plant Tmesipteris, usually to be found growing on tree fern
Don’t privatise the
8 trunks, so that she could show it to new companions and mention its unique characteristics and long
high country history as well as its odd name. Apparently the elusive blue duck, whio, was always to be seen when
Mary visited the bridge over the river at Whakapapa village at dusk. Others have been less lucky!

Kaimai Mamaku
9 Mary offered quiet support and encouragement to many Branch members working for conservation and
Campaign contributing to Branch projects in various ways. “More power to your elbow!” she would say.

The Branch held Mary in high esteem for her active commitment to conservation. She was always ready
Thursday walks
6 to plant a tree or two, add her signature to a petition, write a lobbying letter, attend a demonstration or
contribute to a fund raising project. She is remembered for joining a group gathered in Rotoiti forest in
1988 to protest against the logging of a privately owned native forest block where kokako lived. Follow-
Saturday and
7 ing this publicity and further discussions, the forest was reserved. The Rotoiti success led to wider nego-
overnight walks tiation and ultimately to the Tasman Accord in June 1989. In it, Tasman Forestry Ltd agreed to end
native forest clearance on its land, protect some 39,000 hectares and assist with the recovery pro-
gramme for the threatened kokako.
KM

Page 1 Tauranga Branch Forest & Bird Newsletter No. 71 September 2009
Dr. Barry Wards elected as new National President of Forest &Bird
Barry Wards has been chairman of Forest & Bird’s Upper Hutt branch for 16 years,
has served on its national executive since 2004 and has been vice-president since
2007.

As a member of Forest & Bird for more than two decades, he has been involved in
numerous environmental restoration projects in Upper Hutt, including restoration
of Bartons and Domain Bush, Moehau Park and Hulls Creek and volunteer possum
control at six sites.

“I see Forest & Bird’s
role in providing a voice
for nature as hugely
important in achieving a
Outside Forest & Bird he works as senior biosecurity advisor for the Ministry of
Agriculture and Forestry.
Dr Wards says the most important conservation issues facing New Zealand are envi-
ronmental sustainability, including climate change, protection of our biodiversity,
both on land and in New Zealand’s marine area.
He says Forest & Bird has an important leadership role as the country’s only na-
tional, independent, New Zealand-based conservation organization.

truly sustainable future.” “We are lucky in New Zealand to be surrounded by such a rich natural heritage, but
we need to look after this inheritance much better than we do now. ”

N ew logo  
and branding 
coming soon 
! 
How do you  
lik e it  ? 

 

At its AGM in Wellington in June, Forest & Bird also elected

Craig Potton as national Vice-President.

Craig has been Chairman of Forest & Bird’s Nelson branch for more than a decade and has served on
its executive since 2004. He first joined Forest & Bird as a schoolboy and over the last three decades
has been involved in many of New Zealand’s most prominent national conservation campaigns.
Mr Potton is also a noted landscape and wildlife photographer and founder of Craig Potton Publishing.

Page 2 Tauranga Branch Forest & Bird Newsletter No. 71 September 2009
Inside Story Headline

From the Tropics

to Antarctica :
Up close and
friendly with
whales and
Penguins

Bongard Centre
Cameron Road

Tuesday
29 September
2009
7pm

Reservations
suggested
Local Girl Recognised !  

Te Puke resident Dorothy Mutton has been awarded with F&B highest honour – an Old Blue 
– for her outstanding protection of the environment. 
 
Dorothy has spent virtually a lifetime committed to conservation after joining Forest & Bird 58 
years ago. She was part of the team that formed the Te Puke Section, which 23 years ago 
became a branch, and has served as chair, committee member and patron. 
 
Conservation battles in which Dorothy has played an active part include the Kaimai Mamaku 
protection movement of the 1980s, the campaign to protect kokako habitat in Rotoehu forest 
and an Environment Court challenge to mining in Te Puke hills where Hochstetter’s frogs are 
found. 
 
Dorothy grows native trees to raise funds for conservation, and has worked to establish a 
native tree reserve on the site of the former Rotoehu village.  The keen botanist has led field 
trips around the Bay of Plenty, sharing her passion for nature and the outdoors with others. 
She takes part in kiwi listening surveys and works on pest control at Otanewainuku forest. 
Forest & Bird Te Puke branch chair Carole Long says Dorothy inspires others with her enthu­ Page 3
Page 3 Tauranga Branch Forest & Bird Newsletter No. 71 September 2009
 Where have all the big fish gone?
A recent report published by
NIWA (National Institute for
Water and Atmospheric Re-
search) reports on the effects
of land-based activities on
coastal fisheries and biodiver-
sity in New Zealand .
This report has collected evi-
dence of how life in New Zea-
land’s coastal waters has
changed over the past fifty
years.
Lately, catching the bigger fish
seems to be harder, and pipis,
mussels and cockles that were
once plentiful appear more
elusive. According to NIWA
Scientist, Mark Morrison, this
decline is the result of environ-
mental degradation over the
past fifty years. The two main
problems have been identified
as pollution from land-based
activity, and sediment run off.
Before humans populated New
Zealand, the land was covered
with dense forest and scrub-
land. A complex set of natural
environments and ecosystems
enable the cycle of growth,
reproduction and waste man-
agement. Organic material is
broken down naturally by a
wealth of fungi, insects and
detritivores. Vegetation pro-
tects the erosion of steep
slopes, reducing the risk of
landslides.
The removal of much of this
vegetation for urban, industrial
and agricultural development
has had a massive impact on
the natural balance. A great
deal of sediment now finds its
way into streams, lakes and
the sea, causing water to be-
come discoloured and cloudy.
Brad Angus (DOC) on Pest Control in the Kaimai-Mamaku Forest Park
Date: Monday, 19 Oct 2009 at 7.30 pm
Venue: Papamoa Library and Community Centre (Gravatt Road, next to McDonalds)
Page 4 Tauranga Branch Forest & Bird Newsletter No. 71
Water-based plants which and this will be an ongoing
depend on light to photosyn- chore. Also there must be
thesise become smothered and some consideration of where
their growth stunted or de- the sediment will disperse to
stroyed. following mangrove clearing. It
is possible that large amounts
Loose sediment around plants
of sediment could be moving
can be unsuitable for fungal
around the open water, caus-
spores to settle and grow. The
ing damage to other fragile
habitats for many living organ-
ecosystems elsewhere. An ‘out
isms in the coastal waters are
of sight, out of mind’ attitude
also greatly affected. Filter-
does not deal with the issue.
feeding bivalves and bryozoans
play a vital role in keeping the The priority of this report is to
water clean and dealing with try and inform people of how
sediment. However, when the the coastal areas and water-
balance is upset, the systems ways of this country can be
become overwhelmed and fail. easily damaged and destroyed
by the activities happening on
Sea grass, found in the inter-
the land. Understanding the
tidal zone, has a high biodiver-
effects that humans have on
sity value, and is an important
the natural environment would
habitat for raising juvenile fish.
be a good place to start in
In Tauranga harbour, there are
trying to prevent further dam-
areas where sea grass mead-
age. Fish are a worldwide food
ows are thriving and are in
source which needs to be
good condition. However,
sustainable for future genera-
once plentiful in the Whanga-
tions. By taking care of the
rei harbour prior to heavy
marine environment now,
industrial development in the
there is a chance that fish will
1960s, sea grass disappeared
continue to breed and flourish
from this area and has not
in their own healthy and natu-
recovered for over 40 years.
ral habitats.
The spread of mangroves over
It is time for us all to take
the northern part of New
responsibility for ourselves and
Zealand has also been on the
consider our own daily impacts
increase over the past 50
on the environment which we
years. The report comments
share with millions of other life
that this expansion is a conse-
forms, many of which we de-
quence of the increased sedi-
pend on for our own survival.
ment in coastal waters. Man-
groves naturally trap sediment
For more information about
and their growth and spread is
this report, contact the Minis-
partly a result of increased try of Fisheries, Wellington.
sediment deposits. With the Or see www.fish.govt.nz
recent decision to remove Liz Cole
mangroves in the Tauranga
harbour by mechanical means,
it should be remembered that
they will inevitably grow back
September 2009
 Burger Wisconsin makes better choice
Nationwide gourmet bur­ of a commercial fishery in  to tarakihi will ensure our 
ger chain Burger Wiscon­ New Zealand.  customers are eating a 
sin will switch to more    great­tasting New Zea­
sustainably harvested  land fish, as well as mak­
Like most deepwater fish 
fish in its burgers to help  ing a positive environ­
species they are long­
restore the environmental  lived (86­153 years), slow mental choice.” 
health of our oceans.  ­growing and slow breed­ Burger Wisconsin will 
  ers, which makes them  also make the Best Fish 
Conservation group For­ vulnerable to overfishing  Guide available to its 
and population depletion.  customers so they can 
est & Bird is delighted 
make the best choice for 
that Burger Wisconsin  They are also caught by 
Tarakihi  our oceans every time 
has chosen to follow the  bottom trawling, which 
advice of Forest & Bird’s  damages fragile sea­ they buy fish.  The guide 
Best Fish Guide and  floor habitats and marine  ranks fish species avail­
able to New Zealand con­
switch from deepwater  life.  The fishery catches 
sumers to allow people to 
oreo/dory to tarakihi in its  a range of non­target and 
burgers in its 24 outlets  by­catch species includ­ assess which fisheries 
around New Zealand  ing seabirds, marine  have the least impact on 
the marine environment, 
starting in July.  mammals, deepwater 
so make the best choice 
sharks, sponges and cor­
Dory X   when they buy fish.  Half 
als – some more than 
Deepwater oreo/dory is  500 years old.  a million Best Fish Guide 
listed in the red section of  wallet cards have been 
  distributed since its 
the Best Fish Guide, 
which means the fishery  Tarakihi is less vulner­ launch in 2004 and the 
is not sustainable, so  able to pressure from  guide is regularly up­
consumers should avoid  fishing.  Although it still  dated. 
Oreo X buying this fish.  Tarakihi  has some ecological im­  
is in the amber zone,  pact through use of trawl 
which means that it is a  nets, it is a much better  “Forest & Bird congratu­
better choice in terms of  choice for the marine en­ lates Burger Wisconsin 
environmental sustain­ vironment than deepwa­ for taking steps to im­
prove the environmental 
ability.  Tarakihi is a well­ ter oreo/dory, Kirstie 
impact of its business 
known and tasty fish  Knowles says. 
which many New Zea­ and its customers,” 
 
Tarakihi is a well- landers have caught and  Kirstie Knowles says.  If 
Burger Wisconsin Co­ all food outlets made an 
known and tasty consumed on summer 
franchisor Steve Hanna  effort to make more sus­
holiday fishing trips. 
fish….. says Burger Wisconsin is  tainable choices in the 
  committed to creating the  products they buy and 
Forest & Bird marine ad­ best burgers as sustaina­ sell, our fisheries would 
vocate Kirstie Knowles  bly as possible.  be much more sustain­
says deepwater oreo/ able – so we are grateful 
 
dory, together with   to Burger Wisconsin for 
mako and porbeagle  “We are on a path to en­ leading the way.”  
shark and southern blue­ suring our restaurants 
 
fin tuna, has the second  tread lightly on the 
Earth.  Changing our fish  F & B Media Release 
worst ecological ranking 

Page 5 Tauranga Branch Forest & Bird Newsletter No. 71 September 2009
 Tauranga Forest & Bird
Thursday Walks 
These are on the FIRST and THIRD Thursdays of the month, meeting beside the Bethlehem Countdown building 
Opposite Bethlehem Hall at 9:15am unless otherwise specified, and usually returning by 3:00pm.  
Bring all own food and gear as for Saturday walks. 
Walks do occasionally change, so if going to alternative meeting points, please check with leader (preferably before 
7.30pm) the night before. 
 
Difficulty 
Date Location Description
Car donation

Pass the large Kauri tree to one of the lowest parts   
Sep  of the north­south ridge of the Kaimais, views to the  Easy 
Tuahu track Waikato on a clear day. 
17 $6
 Leader: Janet 544 5362
 
Bush Walk through planted bush beside clear 
stream and over farmland, taking in rope swings to  Easy 
Oct 1  lunch at the confidence course.  $12
School  Roydon Downs Meet Tauranga Countdown carpark (Cameron Rd / 
Holidays
13th Ave)   Meet Te Puke rail station 9:45 
Leader:  Diana  543 0668

Meet at Beach Road Reserve, Otumoetai Railway  Easy
Oct 15 Matua Wetlands reserve, Ferguson Park. 
Leader: Eddie  5761849
Jointly managed by DoC and Fish & Game, this is  Easy 
the only remaining piece of wetland in an area that  $
Nov 5 Kaituna Wetlands was once a huge food resource for Maori. 
Leader: Fiona 576 7013

Mangakino pack track through lowland bush to  Easy 
Nov  Daly’s Clearing  lunch at the historic Daly’s Clearing hut and return  $10
19 Loop via the walk alongside the Waitawheta river 
 Leader: Kea 552 6338/ 027 512 0077
See the amazing huge kauri trees at the end of Hot  Moderate 
Dec 3 Kauri Grove Springs Road.  $6
Leader: Carole and Ron 5765678

See the seed collecting, exclosure zone and pos­  
sum & rat bait stations, return on the short loop for  Easy 
Dec  shared lunch at the lodge. Optional walk to swim­
Aongatete $5
17 ming hole in the afternoon 
Leader: Basil 576 5593
Meet at Bethlehem Countdown  Moderate 
Jan 7 Mystery Walk
Leader: Carole and Ron 576 5678 $5
Lowland bush following the Wharawhara river  Moderate 
Jan 21 Wharawhara
Leader: Kea 552 6338/ 027 512 0077 $7

If you have any suggestions for walks, or would be happy to lead a walk please contact  
Kea on 552 6338 or email kea.L@xtra.co.nz with details. 

Page 6 Tauranga Branch Forest & Bird Newsletter No. 71 September 2009
 Saturday Walks 
These are held on the Second Saturday of the month.  Unless otherwise specified, all trips meet at 8:15am at the 
12th Ave / Cameron Road corner.  Bring stout walking shoes or preferably boots, lunch, drinks, personal medication, 
warm clothing and wet weather gear.  The price shown is the recommended donation to the drivers for petrol.   
Ring the leader beforehand for information or changes. 
 

Difficulty 
Date Location Description
Car donation
Sept  Boardwalk alongside the lake  Easy/Moderate 
Lake Okaraka
12 Leader: Enid 575 6146 $16
On the southern side of the Maungatautari pest  Moderate/difficult 
proof enclosure, walk to the viewpoint to see far  or Easy 
Oct  over the Waikato (or take the easy option and 
Pukeatua Peak
10 stroll round the walks in the southern Enclosure)   $16
Leader Enid 575 6146
Up the well worn path to bald spur and down the  Moderate/difficult 
Nov  Bald Spur /   newly re­opened Horseman’s Track past mining  or Easy 
14  Horseman’s Track,  relics. Optional easy short walk around the wet­
lands and the Domain in this historic town   $20
  Te Aroha
Leader :Helen 571 1085
Dec  Lots of steps. Great views  Moderate/difficult 
Wairere Falls
12 Leader: Ron and Carole 576 5678 $16

Overnight Trips 
Bring stout walking shoes or preferably boots, food for snacks & lunch, drinks, personal medication, warm clothing 
and wet weather gear.  The price covers accommodation and dinner and breakfast only.   
Ring the leader beforehand for information or changes. 

Difficulty 
Date Location Description Car donation

       
 
Walk the loop from Hot Springs Road (3 ½ ­  $ 40 per person 
Nov  4 ½ hr) Stay overnight in a bush hut. Walk  Limit 16 people 
up Baldy next morning for 360º views 
11th/12th   Te Rereatukahia across the Waikato & Bay of Plenty (1 hr  Each person will 
Wed / return). Walk out through the Kauri Grove  need to carry their 
(2 ½ ­3 hr)  own gear & a portion 
Thur
of the food and cook­
Leader: Kea 07 552 6338 / 027 512 0077 ing equipment.

Guidelines for Safe Walking on Forest and Bird Trips

* We are a conservation group rather than a tramping group; we stop frequently to observe.
* Walking groups need to keep together. Walkers who cannot keep within sight and hearing of the leader need
to make special provision for their own safety. Do not drop behind or go ahead by yourself.
* Slow walkers need to arrange beforehand to have a companion who is fit, capable and independent and carries
a cell phone, whistle and first aid kit. This person needs to stay with the slower walker.
* All walkers should have in their pack a whistle and personal medication. Take heed of the "hazards / difficulty"
described in the Walks Programme.

Page 7 Tauranga Branch Forest & Bird Newsletter No. 71 September 2009

...Mountain peaks
could be privatised
ie sold...
2010 Conservation
Diaries and
Calendars
will be on sale from the
branch again this year.
Available for sale at evening
presentations or send a
cheque with your request
to:
Tauranga Forest & Bird
PO Box 15638
Tauranga
3144
Page 8
Don’t privatise the high country
Recent comments by Govern-
ment Ministers have fuelled
fears that the Government
intends wide-scale privatization
of the high country. Under
proposals being discussed as
part of a review of government
policy, mountain peaks could
be privatised, ie sold into local
or foreign ownership.
The Minister of Agriculture,
David Carter, has said that
Crown-owned land currently
held in pastoral leases would
be sold into freehold owner-
ship, with only covenants to
protect some areas. In addition
Associate Conservation Minis-
ter Kate Wilkinson has said
that 30 percent of New Zea-
land’s land already in the con-
servation estate was “enough”
and that the government could
not afford to purchase proper-
ties to create new high coun-
try parks.
Secretary of Outdoor Recrea-
tion Associations Hugh Barr
2010 Diaries & Calendars
The beautifully produced
diary includes photographs of
New Zealand landscapes,
plants and wildlife.
Includes ‘week to view’ pages
and is spiral bound so it will lie
flat when open.
$ 20 each (RRP $24.99)
Tauranga Branch Forest & Bird Newsletter No. 71
says covenants do not provide its natural state, reducing its
public access or allow public tourism value.
involvement in management of
Such a move would be deeply
the land, nor do they encour-
offensive to most New Zea-
age development of facilities
landers. It is unnecessary, un-
such as huts and tracks. Indeed
believable and grossly repre-
“New Zealand’s draconian
hensible. If the Government
trespass laws prohibit public
would sell Crown-owned high
access to private land even
country what other national
when covenants are in place.”
treasures or strategic assets
Like the seabed and foreshore, will it also sell?
the high country is part of the
Conservation and recreation
natural heritage of all New
groups are calling on the gov-
Zealanders. So it is vital that
the high country is protected
ernment to halt plans to priva-
tise New Zealand’s high coun-
for the enjoyment of future
try.
generations of New Zealand-
ers and visitors alike, and Take action now !
should not be sold off. Write to the :
(1) Prime Minister
The wilderness of the high
John Key
country is a major draw-card
(2) Minister for Agriculture
for international tourists,
David Carter
bringing in millions of dollars in
(3) Minister for Conservation
tourism revenue. Selling it
Tim Groser
into private ownership would
strongly condemning this pro-
threaten its natural character
posal.
through inappropriate devel-
David Dowrick
opment and inadequate pro-
tection and reinstatement of
Calendar has stunning pho-
tos of New Zealand’s native
flora and fauna taken by some
of New Zealand’s leading na-
ture photographers.
Envelope supplied - weighs less
than 200g for economical
overseas postage.
$ 12 each (RRP $15.99)
September 2009
 Kaimai Mamaku Campaign
 
Slow starts make for sure progress 
Delegates from the seven branches around the Kaimai Mamaku area have 
been involved in planning this regional initiative, a campaign to restore birds 
and other wildlife to the Forest Park and its environs, for some time. Well, 
folks, we officially go public on November 14th. All members are invited to 
join us at the launch in Tauranga at 2pm, Baycourt Exhibition Hall.  F&B’s Na‐
tional President Dr. Barry Wards and General Manager Mike Britton will wel‐
come the official dignitaries on the day, with a keynote speaker and some 
light relief. Please write the date in your diary NOW, as we want this to be an 
occasion that makes our wider community sit up and take notice. Forest & 
Bird is the voice of nature in New Zealand and we need to make sure it is 
heard speaking clearly for our local wildlife. 
 
Find out how to work for wildlife  
The campaign includes the whole Kaimai‐Mamaku catchment area, throwing 
the net from the Waihou River on the west of the range to the Tauranga Har‐
bour, destination of the streams flowing from the eastern flanks. We have set 
up a Google map site which shows all restoration activities presently taking 
place. Check this out: 
go to the Google home page 
click on maps (top left hand corner) 
enter “Kaimai Mamaku Campaign”in the search field 
click on the link entitled “Kaimai Mamaku Campaign” in the left hand 
pane of this window (there are several of these links with the same 
name). 
The Google map is a great resource for finding out what is going on in your 
area, how you can help, and for getting an overall picture of the restoration 
pattern in our area, where there are gaps, etc. Some of the groups have a 
strong F&B input, such as the Aongatete Restoration Trust and Otanewainuku 
Kiwi Trust, others have a stronger local community base.  
 
If you know of other groups that could be included on this map, please con‐
tact F&B Field Officer Al Fleming at the address given at the end of this arti‐
cle. 
 

Campaign Website

Our website is:

http://www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/projects/kamai-
mamaku-restoration-project

Please note we are currently updating this website and their will be
more information soon!
Views in the Kamais

Page 9 Tauranga Branch Forest & Bird Newsletter No. 71 September 2009
Memories
Do you remember when…. 
The KMC newsletter editor wants your memories of what the Forest Park, the streams, the harbour, were like in 
days gone by. We know we can’t go backwards ‐ that the area’s rich history of human settlement and exploitation 
for timber, minerals, farming and horticulture has given us a new and different pattern from pre‐settlement times, 
even pre‐Maori settlement times. But 20 years ago, I am told, there were kokako to the Kaimai bush edge, 10 years 
ago there were kiwi on the Kaimai.  Do we really have to settle for magpies and blackbirds, red deer and possums 
instead of our real heritage? 
 
The stories, photos, diary entries, articles that some of you have will help us look backwards to move forwards to a 
restored and healthy forest ringing with the natural birdsong that we are losing. Contact our email address, or 
phone Al or the newsletter editor Eila Lawton (07 549 3646) to record your memories of the Kaimai Mamaku, its 
wildlife and its history. 

If the native birds are singing, the forest will be healthy 
Which is why two of the campaign’s first activities are to do with birds. 
Forest Park bird survey, Year One  Everybirdy Day 
On October 18th/19th, two days in spring, we want com‐ You’ve heard of (and probably participated in) the an‐
petent birders to help us carry out 5‐minute bird counts  nual Garden Bird Survey. Now let’s do it for our own 
throughout the forest park. We need to know what  area.  
birds are there. Can you reliably identify, by sight or   
sound, the birds of the forest, native and otherwise? Or  During the week preceding the Campaign launch, we 
would you like to be paired up with someone who can,  want as many people as possible to spend an hour re‐
so that you can learn?    cording what birds they see and hear in the Park and its 
  environs. Will it be a real Kiwi species that tops the list? 
If so, please send Al your details and be prepared to  Or an Aussie invader? A British‐assisted migrant?  
spend at least 2 hours one morning of that weekend at   
a designated site in the bush, walking some 2‐3 kms,  You can help us find out! Details will be widely available 
and following the directions provided.  nearer the time. Encourage your neighbours and family 
to take part. 
 
A chance to be at the heart of the Campaign  
The small steering committee now needs the following:   
minutes secretary to keep us on track, to free our best organiser to mastermind the launch  event 
organisers 
graphic designers, wordsmiths etc, to help us produce professional display material and newsletters,  
including effective Powerpoint presentations with sound and graphics 
people to help with surveys of birds, bats, skinks, geckos, frogs, insects, trees…..and the health of the 
forest. If you have a special interest, let us know 
archivist or local historian to go through deposited papers 
 
To say you want to be involved, contact kaimai.project@gmail.com  or  
Central North Island Field Officer  
Al Fleming  
588 Maunganui Road 
Mt Maunganui 
Tauranga 3116.  
07 575 8478 / 021 9889 295 

Remember that launch date – November 14th – come along and help fix the forest. 
Page 10 Tauranga Branch Forest & Bird Newsletter No. 71 September 2009
 Be in the know 
 
Keep up to date with the campaign website at www.forestandbird.org.nz/what‐we‐do/projects/kaimai‐
mamaku‐restoration‐project . It is early days for the site, more information will be added as it is available. 
 
We also have a database for direct contact, either by email or mail out of newsletters.  Members will be 
automatically added to this list, but if you know of others who would be interested, please send details to 
Al’s postal address or if at all possible, to the campaign email address…….kaimai.project@gmail.com 

Aongatete Update
 
The new Kiwi Care bait for possums wasn’t as successful as we had hoped, so we put in an extra 3 work­
days in July stapling up little bags of vitamin D3 paste (Cholecalciferol). The possums and rats loved it. Of 
5000 non­toxic pre­feed bags put out over two Saturdays, we had only one bag left uneaten after 2 weeks. 
The following week volunteers put out the toxic bags and the take was pleasing.  
 
Since last summer we have increased the area of pest control by 40 to 50 hectares. Fortunately we have a 
number of new volunteers who are covering this area. We are always on the look out for more helpers. If 
you can carry up to 3 kilos of bait in your pack, come and join us, or introduce a friend to our team. The new 
season of pest control starts in September on the 5th and 19th Saturdays.  
 
As shown in the graph, bird monitoring has seen a remarkable surge in tui between 2006 and 2008 and 
numbers are still increasing. It is particularly pleasing to find that these birds seem to have stayed right 
through last summer and winter. Do take a walk around the long loop track. It takes about 3 hours. You will 
hear the difference in song as you move from the forest with pest control to the forest without. 

Page 11 Tauranga Branch Forest & Bird Newsletter No. 71 September 2009
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Page 12 Tauranga Branch Forest & Bird Newsletter No. 71 September 2009