Newsletter July 2005 Forest & Bird

Waikato
Branch

Black Sand Mining

on Our West Coast
Plans to mine black sand from a
large area of seabed between
Kaipara and Taranaki are still
possible. Black Sands Mining’s
recent application was turned down
by Crown Minerals due to lack of
technical information, however the
company is expected to apply
again.
There is real concern about the potential for sand
mining to destroy complex ecosystems, threaten the
already endangered Maui’s dolphin and devastate our
West Coast beaches.
Liz Slooten our new Deputy President, a marine
research scientist with a special interest in Maui’s
dolphin notes that until we know more about what sort
of activity is planned (depths, volume of sand to be
removed, where the left-over sand be deposited, etc.) it
will be difficult to be specific about the likely
biological effects for this particular stretch of coast.
Even if we had more detailed information on the
planned mining activity, the consensus seems to be
that so little is known about the physical processes and
ecology of the area that it will be difficult to predict
the effects. While there are so many unknowns and
due to potential harmful effects, Forest & Bird will
support opposition to black sand mining - until good
quality research proves otherwise.

Ecosourcing
We are looking for members interested in growing on ecosourced plants for our next
plant sale. Our last plant sale raised $3000 and thanks to the help from Wayne Bennett
we were able to have a quantity of ecosourced plants available.

We would like to have more for next years plant sale.

Can you help? Contact Wayne 07 824 7167 wbennett@xtra.co.nz

Newsletter
Branch Patron July 2005Charlotte Wallace Forest & Bird
Committee Members Phone Email Responsibilities
Philip Hart 07 856 7992 prhart@waikato.ac.nz Chairperson, Covenants, Councillor, Trips
Jim Crawford 07 889 7739 j.m.crawford@xtra.co.nz Treasurer, Deputy Chair, Trips, Morgan Res.
Jim McDiarmid 07 849 3438 macd@wave.co.nz Secretary
Adua Geremia 07 843 3375 adage@xtra.co.nz Membership, carpooling, Publicity
Anne Lee 07 843 6880 dvann@infogen.net.nz Walter Scott Reserve
Bill Fairweather 07 889 5859 slean@xtra.co.nz Publicity, Trips, Raglan issues
Bruce Dean 07 827 2874 Morgan Res, Maungatautari, Farm Environment
Awards
Colleen Brimblecombe 07 855 5626 Talks, Trips, Publicity
Dave Lee 07 843 6880 dvann@infogen.net.nz Walter Scott Reserve
Denis Gibbs 0-7-825 7263 heldenn@xtra.co.nz Trips Coordinator, Raglan issues
John Fish 07 839 1512 Acre
Jon Wenham 07 855 0808 Tui 2000, Conservation grants, publicity
Kevin Collins 0-7-859 2606 kevin.collins@ew.govt.nz Environment Waikato
Mary Crawford 07 889 7739 j.m.crawford@xtra.co.nz Minutes secretary
Maureen Cawley 07 889 3968 Trips
Steve Brooker 07 850 6017 stephenb@mlc.co.nz Legal
Sue Smith 07 889 5859 slean@xtra.co.nz Newsletter
Please address all correspondence to "Secretary, PO Box 11092, Hillcrest, Hamilton
KCC Chris Eames 07 856 7334 c.eames@waikato.ac.nz Kiwi Conservation Coordinator

Keeping in touch with branch affairs

Do you want to receive your newsletter by email?
Do you want to receive monthly email reminders?
Email Sue at sLean@xtra.co.nz

Obituary - Owen Wilkes

Owen was known to many of our branch members, he died unexpectedly in
Kawhia recently. Owen was a well-known peace activist and anti nuclear
campaigner, he was charged with espionage in Norway but was let off with a fine
when it was realised that he was not working for a foreign government. He was
later in trouble with the Swedish authorities accused of improperly acquiring
classified information on Swedish defence. He protested against the operations of
the Tangimoana and Waihopai communications centres suspecting them to be part
of the American world wide electronic spying network.
More recently Owen rediscovered his passion for archaeology and developed an
encyclopaedic knowledge of pre European
settlement in the King Country and Waikato areas.
We were privileged to have Owen & Mae with us at our 2002 camp at Kiritehere.
Owen helped us extend our knowledge of the landscape and how land use had
modified the ecology and landform over time.
Several of us had also recently been with Owen on a visit to Te Maika and to visit
to the Pohutukawa tree marking the northern most boundary of Te Rohe Pötae
(King Country) and remnant taro gardens close to Aotea.
Owen is greatly missed by his many friends and colleagues. His partner May and
friends encourage donations to be made to Kawhia Harbour Protection Society in
his memory. Owen explaining why there is a shelly beach at
Te Tötara point, Käwhia.
Newsletter July 2005 Forest & Bird

Käwhia Harbour Protection Society

If you wish to support the great advocacy work that KHPS does to protect the harbour you can either join ($20) or send a koha to
Liz La Franchie, Secretary KHPS, 66 Haerehuka St, Otorohanga. lafranchie@paradise.net.nz 07 873 8404.
Many of us know JD (John) Dodson from his Pureora days. JD is now living in Käwhia and is President of the Käwhia Harbour
Protection Society. dodgson@ihug.co.nz Phone 07871 0044.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
JULY 18 Meeting Place & Time : 9.00 am Park in front of Information centre at
TALK : NATIONAL WETLANDS TRUST the Te Aroha domain.
Contact : Bill Fairweather 07 889 5859 or Jim Crawford 07 889 7739
Guest speaker, Chris Thomas, will talk about his iconic j.m.crawford@xtra.co.nz
documentary Waterfowl and Wetlands: A NZ Odyssey Level : Average / Hard.
Meeting Place & Time : 7.30 Performing Arts Centre,
Waikato University in Hamilton
Contact : SEPTEMBER 1 THURSDAY
TALK : KOWHAI AND WAIWHAKARERE (HORSESHOE) LAKE
AUGUST 10 WEDNESDAY RESTORATION
WORKING BEE : MORGAN RESERVE, WAITEKAURI Wiremu Puke (Ngäti Wairere) will speak on significance of
Polytech planting day. Members help is needed for placement of trees, Kowhai to local Iwi and proposals for further plantings and a
planting etc. Kowhai Festival.
Meeting Place & Time : Forest & Bird Reserve, Waitekauri Dr Bruce Clarkson will explain progress and future plans for the
9.30 am Waiwhakarere (Horseshoe) Lake Restoration Project.
Contact : Bruce Dean 07 8272874 or Jim Crawford 07 889 7739 Place : Chartwell Room, Hamilton Gardens off Cobham Drive.
j.m.crawford@xtra.co.nz Time : Talk commences 7.30 pm.
If you wish to share a light meal ($10) with us beforehand at 6.30
please book with Colleen Brimblecombe at least 5 days prior.
AUGUST 11 THURSDAY Contact : Colleen 07 855 5626
TALK : RICHARD SEATON ON ECOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS OF
THENEW ZEALAND BUSH FALCON IN PLANTATION FORESTRY SEPTEMBER 11 SUNDAY
TRAMP : KÄNIWHANIWHA & TALLEST TREE
.The New Zealand falcon (Falco novaeseelandiae) is an endemic A 5 – 6 hour return tramp into see NZ’s tallest native tree and a
species that is currently thought to be in decline. New Zealand bush recently discovered cave. Bring a torch.
Meeting Place & Time : 9.30 am Käniwhaniwha Car Park, Limestone
falcons are historically known to have bred widely throughout the Loop Rd, Pirongia.
podocarp dominated forests of the North Island. Recently, bush falcons Contact : Bill Fairweather 07 889 5859
have been discovered breeding in the pine plantations of the Central Level : Average
Plateau. How New Zealand bush falcons use pine plantations
OCTOBER 13 THURSDAY EVENING
represents a gap in the knowledge required to encourage the
TALK : LIZ SLOOTEN ON MAUI’S DOLPHIN AND LOCAL MARINE
persistence of the New Zealand falcon.
CONCERNS

In this talk Richard will describe his work with the falcon in Kaingaroa
pine plantation and the relevance of this to the conservation of New
Zealand falcon as a whole.
Place : Chartwell Room, Hamilton Gardens off Cobham Drive.
Time : Talk commences 7.30 pm
If you wish to share a light meal ($10 per head) with us beforehand at
6.30 please book with Colleen Brimblecombe at least 5 days prior.
Contact : Colleen 07 855 5626
AUGUST 14 SUNDAY
TRAMP : TE AROHA / WAIORONGOMAI
Tramp from the end of Tui Road, over Te Aroha and then down
through the Waiorongomai Valley. Bring good quality warm and wet
weather gear and sensible boots. Be prepared for wet & cold and to
tramp for 5 – 6 hours.
Place : Chartwell Room, Hamilton Gardens off Cobham Drive.
Time : Talk commences 7.30 pm
If you wish to share a light meal ($10) with us beforehand at 6.30
please book with Colleen Brimblecombe at least 5 days prior.
Contact : Colleen 07 855 5626
OCTOBER 21 -24 FRIDAY NIGHT - MONDAY
LABOUR W/E CAMP : TE KAURI & KAWHIA
We will stay at Te Kauri Lodge on the Te Rauamoa hills, trip on the
Kawhia Harbour to Te Maika and tramping in the Te Kauri Reserve.
Bookings by 15th October are essential
Meet : Friday afternoon / evening at Te Kauri Lodge.
Contact : Colleen Brimblecombe 07 855 5626 or Philip Hart 07 856
7992 prhart@waikato.ac.nz
Level : Easy / Average
Newsletter July 2005
NOVEMBER 13 SATURDAY
KAYAKING : MANGAKINO STREAM
You may have crossed this stream many a time on the short road
bridge between Whakamaru and Mangakino and never glanced down.
If you had you would have seen one of the nicer drowned valleys of the
Waikato hydro system. This paddle is for those with a little more
endurance rather than skill and leaves from the Mangakino village
crossing the south western corner of Lake Maraetai to enter this
beautiful and extensive stream graced by tall cliffs and amazing
scenery. You will need to be comfortable crossing an open lake but
when you enter the valley you have all the time in the world. At the
head of the valley is a rapid and there are some surprises on the way.
Contact : Colleen Brimblecombe 855 5626 or Bob Jordan 856 4839.
NOVEMBER 26 27
BOTANICAL WEEKEND : BEXLEY STATION AWAKINO
We will stay again at Hanna’s farm accommodation and return to
Bexley Station to explore a new area. Mostly off track and in
precipitous limestone country. Great botanical interest. Bookings are
essential. Be in early if you want a bed!
Meet : Friday night at Hannas.
Contact : Philip Hart 07 856 7992 prhart@waikato.ac.nz Level : Hard
with good agility.
DECEMBER 11 SUNDAY
TRAMP : WAITAWHETA MILL SITE
An all day walk along the Waitawheta River to an old mill site
in the northern extremity of the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park.
The walk follows an old tramline through tunnels and across six
river fords to the Waitawheta Hut and then on to the mill-site.
You will experience magnificent views of lava canyons,
waterfalls, and unique cliff-hugging kauri trees. As this is a 6 to
8 hour medium to hard walk, good strong footwear is essential
Meeting place & Time : Meet at the Franklin Road car park at
9.30am. To get there, turn off State Highway 2 on the Paeroa side of
Waikino township and follow Waitawheta Road until it joins Franklin
Road. Car park is located at the end of Franklin Road.
Contact : Denis Gibbs heldenn@xtra.co.nz 07 8257263
Level : Average / Hard
TRIP SAFETY & GENERAL INFORMATION
Medical conditions
Do tell the trip leader about relevant medical conditions. Do you carry vital
drugs, are you likely to have seizures, etc?
Gear, Being prepared
You must check with the trip leader if you are unsure what to wear or carry.
Boots or sturdy shoes, warm clothing (not cotton in cold or winter conditions)
rain coat, hat, lunch, water, pack, personal first aid, sense of humour and
survival gear are essential for each person. Have a dry change of clothing to
wear home.
Fitness and Agility
Check with the trip leader beforehand if you are in doubt as to your fitness &
agility for the activity or walk. If you are not reasonably fit a hard walk will be
too difficult for you and may slow & put the rest of the group at risk.
Forest & Bird
Not getting lost
Stay with the group! We count numbers periodically during the walk. If you
need to stop tell someone to let the tail end know to wait for you.
If you do get lost, STOP! If you can’t easily retrace your steps…STAY PUT!
We will know that you are missing and a search party will easily find you.
Level of walks.
Easy – suitable for all the family, 1-2 hours slower, easier walking.
Average - 3-4 hours, may include hills, streams, rougher tracks. Not suitable
under 7’s.
Hard – 4 – 6+ hours walk, usually over steeper rougher tracks or routes. Even
the harder walks would be suitable for fit children over 10 years. Please contact
the trip leader if you have any queries.
Interests
We encourage families to join us and for members to bring along friends. Non-
members are welcome.
Please ask if there is anything you see on your walk with us. We have members
with a variety of interests: birds, trees, bats, insects, spiders, pest control and
general conservation issues.
Rubbish
Our environment is ravaged enough without us adding to it. Please take out
what you take in with you. This includes food scraps!
NO animals, drugs or alcohol are permitted.
Transport
Those seeking or offering transport, contact Adua Geremia 07 855 5831 by the
previous Thursday. Please do contribute to petrol costs.
Departure point
Hamilton War Memorial, River Rd, (south end) or go directly to the meeting
place.
Camps
Please book early & pay your deposit early, catering has to be organised,
accommodation may be limited. Places will be allocated on a first come basis to
members, then non-members. camps are non-profit, charges cover
accommodation, food & other camp expenses. Under 18’s half price.
Evening meetings & Talks
Our meetings are usually held at the Hamilton Gardens, off Cobham Dr. Talks
are usually ended with coffee & a chat with our guests & members.
There are no meeting charges and non-members are always welcome.
Newsletter July 2005
AGM – Wellington
Philip Hart, Jon Wenham, Sue Smith & Bill Fairweather
represented Waikato branch at the
AGM in Wellington. Philip Hart, our
Chairperson, was re-elected to the
executive for another year. Gerry
McSweeny, President for 4 years was
farewelled, and thanked for his many
years of service to Forest & Bird. The
Society does not lose Gerry’s
experience and skills as he will be on
the executive for a further year.
Peter Maddison was elected president unopposed. Peter is an
entomologist with experience in working on pest eradication
and quarantine issues in many Pacific countries. In recent years
he has developed a consultancy service specialising in insect
identification, and ecological advice. Peter’s priorities for the
society are to strengthen branch
support, increase support for the
society’s educational role and
strengthen campaigns.
Liz Slooten was elected Deputy
President. Liz is known to many in
our branch as she has spoken to us on
marine issues and was recently in
Raglan to support opposition to black sand mining on the West
Coast. Liz is Director of Environmental Science at Otago
University, and has been active in conservation research
focusing on the effects of fishing, aquaculture and tourism on
marine mammals.
Remits passed were wide ranging. Included were remits that the
society develops our Coastal Policy before the draft NZ
National Coastal Policy is published, that there be an overall
review of regional staff positions, that the society supports
banning of
unsustainable fishing methods, that the annual Kiwi
Conservation Club Coordinators’ gathering is supported, that
pest control is included in strategic planning.
Gems from the politicians who spoke about their policies on
conservation issues;
Ecosourcing : Political Correctness gone mad or the key to ecological restoration?
Ecosourcing is the propagating of native plants from a
representative sample of the local wild population. I have a
collection of fascinating native plants from all over the
country. They remind me of some of the wonderful places I
have visited and are the nearest that I will ever get to many
others. These plants are growing outside of their normal range
and are unlikely to pollinate native species growing nearby or
set seed that will naturalise and change the composition of
natural areas.
There has been an increasing trend to plant up large natural
areas. There are so many benefits from this; Protection from
erosion, shading of waterways, wildlife habitat and carbon
Forest & Bird
Nick Smith National ; Emphasis on creating an Ocean’s policy,
better legislation and bureaucracy. Regional Council structure
needs change. Creating a new Kauri forest park in Northland &
the Hauraki marine park. Promoting a long term cross party
agreement on key environmental challenges. National to have
greater degree of funding contestability and greater investment
in Landcare groups. Will not split Doc.
Gary Baldock United Future calls for a moratorium on aerial
1080 application. Why? They know the poison is one of the
best, but is concerned by the increase in aerial drops and public
opposition. Marine reserves to have a place, they are not
opposed to them but they used their influence to delay marine
reserves until the Oceans policy was developed. Will take
advocacy role away from Doc – as they have already lost the
war!
Chris Carter Labour commented that funding had increased by
46% since 1999. 4 new marine reserves have been created, the
Ocean’s Policy is underway, noted that splitting Doc would be
disastrous. Announced that brodifacoum can be now used on
the mainland – that there is a place for it.
Jeanette Fitzsimons, Green Party. Opposed to splitting Doc or a
reduction in their advocacy role. We can not afford a 1080
moratorium, increased funding for pest control, to purchase
extra land & for biosecurity control. Supports
public access along rivers and streams and an
Access Commission. Stopping land sales with
less than 6 months residency, a moratorium on
high country tenure review. Will protect the
RMA, support Doc & community groups and
the Environmental Legal Aid Fund. Marine
pollution will have extra assistance and
restrictions on sensitive areas like Poor
Knights. And no seabed mining in significant habitats e.g. Maui
dolphin habitat. A reduction in fishing bicatch.
We also participated in strategic planning work shops on major
conservation issues, strengths and weaknesses of the society,
what is important to branches, and how can branches be best
supported. etc.
This is only brief highlights from a full weekend programme,
further information is available from the delegates if you wish
to know more.
sequestration. If the planting is done with native plants then
there are more benefits; better familiarity with native plants in
the community, less chance that the plants will naturalise
further a field and become weeds. If the plants selected are the
components of local ecosystems then natural ecological
patterns and processes like regeneration and succession can be
restored. With the right range of plants, few resources are left
for weeds to establish. With the use of ecosourced plants
natural linkages between fragmented populations can be
restored and the distinctive local character of the landscape is
protected and reinforced.
Newsletter July 2005
When planting trees, people are often reluctant to accept that
they will one day become sexually active. The more likely a
plant is to share pollen and produce seedlings the more
important that it is ecologically sourced. Ecologically sourced
trees and shrubs contribute to local plant population size, help
overcome fragmentation of populations and do not introduce
new genes that would distort the local character.
Collecting seeds and growing the local native plants and trees
is a great way to get to know our countryside and that plants
that make it up.
Forest & Bird has held a plant sale for many years and this
year for the first time sold a range of ecosourced plants
suitable for Hamilton gully restoration and similar projects. I
Please contact a member of the committee or Wayne if you’d like to learn more about local
native plants and if you can help with growing plants for our next plant sale in May 2006.
Living beyond our means.
Natural assets and human well-being” is a recently released
report from the Millennium Ecosystem Board. The report notes
that it is the poor and the animals of the world that will pay the
price of degraded environments and ecosystems, while the rich
and privileged will remain blissfully unaffected. It estimates
that up to 60 percent of the ecosystems that support life on earth
are being degraded or used unsustainably, with most of this
damage has been done in the last 50 years. The full report can
be obtained from
http://www.millenniumassessment.org/en
/Products.aspx.
The Board identifies 10 key messages and
conclusions that can be drawn from the assessment:
• Everyone in the world depends on nature and
ecosystem services to provide the conditions for a
decent, healthy, and secure life.
• Humans have made unprecedented changes to
ecosystems in recent decades to meet growing
demands for food, fresh water, fibre, and energy.
• These changes have helped to improve the lives of
billions, but at the same time they weakened nature’s
ability to deliver other key services such as purification
of air and water, protection from disasters, and the
provision of medicines.
• Among the outstanding problems identified by this
assessment are the dire state of many of the world’s
fish stocks; the intense vulnerability of the 2 billion
people living in dry regions to the loss of ecosystem
services, including water supply; and the growing
threat to ecosystems from climate change and nutrient
pollution.
Forest & Bird
will have new species of seedlings available throughout the
year and would like members to volunteer to grow on seedling
for the next sale. There is no cost for the seedlings; they are a
contribution to the work do Waikato Forest & Bird and to the
regional biodiversity. This would be an interesting activity for
children or anyone interested in learning more about native
plants. I suggest a small number of each species so that you
can learn to know them as they grow. You may like to grow a
few plants for a project of your own and others as your
contribution to Forest & Bird and local biodiversity.
I can be contacted on 07 824 7167 or wbennett@xtra.co.nz
Wayne Bennett.
• Human activities have taken the planet to the edge of a
massive wave of species extinctions, further
threatening our own well-being.
• The loss of services derived from ecosystems is a
significant barrier to the achievement of the
Millennium Development Goals to reduce poverty,
hunger, and disease.
• The pressures on ecosystems will increase globally in
coming decades unless human attitudes and actions
change.
• Measures to conserve natural resources are more likely
to succeed if local communities are given ownership of
them, share the benefits, and are involved in decisions.
• Even today’s technology and knowledge can reduce
considerably the human impact on ecosystems. They
are unlikely to be deployed fully, however, until
ecosystem services cease to be perceived as free and
limitless, and their full value is taken into account.
• Better protection of natural assets will require
coordinated efforts across all sections of governments,
businesses, and international institutions. The
productivity of ecosystems depends on policy choices
on investment, trade, subsidy, taxation, and regulation,
among others.
The Millennium Ecosystem
Assessment (MA), The Millennium Ecosystem
Assessment (MA) Synthesis Report, released
March 30, 2005:
Newsletter July 2005 Forest & Bird
http://www.millenniumassessment.org/en/Product
s.aspx

Branch activities
Easter camp 2005
Yet another eventful Easter Camp was had by an intrepid group of branch members. The start of the camp coincided with a Bay of
Plenty storm that had us wondering if we would even get to the camp. John & Robert drove through the middle of a tornado with
power lines sparking and trees down. Several of us were delayed by trees down across the road in the valley and the need to find a
friendly local with a chainsaw. It would have been an interesting drive at the best of times. while others of us who had arrived earlier
in the day wondered if we were going to be holed up alone at the end of the valley with rivers roaring, rain deluging, slipping roads
and trees crashing for the weekend without food and the rest of the party.
However, by late afternoon we’d all made it through and with a break in the rain we managed to slosh around on our first walk. It was
a delight to see a pair of whio (blue duck) in the river close to the Lodge. The river was in major flood and it was amazing to see the
birds still able to dive and look for food on the quieter edges of the river.
Once the gas stove was sorted and quantities of gravy were agreed, dinner was underway and it was a real pleasure to catch up with
old friends and meet new ones; and enjoy the warmth of a
cosy hut and hot showers.
The weather cleared by the next day, but the road had
suffered so 4wd’s were used to transport us over the slips
and to the top of the road. Luckily the rivers and streams
had dropped quite a bit over night. They were still higher
than normal and it was good opportunity for us to refresh
our river crossing techniques. Thanks Bill for your
Mountain Safety instruction. We set off up the Six Foot
Track we crossed open Maori owned land until reaching
the bush proper. The old road gently climbed alongside
the Tauranga River way below us. We enjoyed our lunch
on the stream side at Otane, where once there had been a
farm. Across the other side of the stream was an
interesting old kahikatea growing out in the open with an
incredibly tortured trunk. On the way back we dropped
down to the river and crossed by a high(ish) swing bridge
and went as far as the Pourewa Hut, which, with all its
dog kennels, looks well used by hunters.
On Sunday early rain delayed us briefly, we then headed up the Otapukawa Stream which was still running fairly swift and deeper
than normal. This was a great test of our river crossing team work and after at least 30 crossings we became quite confident with our
new skills. A cloudburst at lunch time saw most of the party turn round and start for home. But four hardy souls continued up the river
bed to the Otapukawa hut before returning back down the river. We were dismayed to see that 4wd vehicles were regularly driven up
this river bed by wimpy hunters. What has happened to the real blokes who would have carried their gear in on foot?
On Saturday night Kevin Cannell, local Doc Area Manager came and spoke to us about the development of the area as a mainland
island and the progress that had been made in a few short years. Pests continue to be a problem - especially dogs. Concentrated
trapping aims to care of rats, possums, cats and stoats. Weka and Whio numbers have grown and Kokako pairs have increased
from15 pairs 10 years ago to 95 now.
After the camp clean up on Monday we drove back down the valley to Ogilvies Bridge where we went for a walk to the Te Waiti
Stream. The bush was impressive and the stream picturesque. And again we had the pleasure of watching a pair of blue duck scooting
around in the stream in search of food.
Thanks to everyone who made the camp memorable. Kevin for entertaining the horses with his sax, Rita, Maureen & Adua for the
catering, Philip for leading the trips, Maureen for organising everything and everyone for being there and helping make the camp so
pleasurable!
Maureen Cawley

Tuahu / Sapphire Springs Weekend

Our plan to traverse the Kaimais was frustrated by logging on the
Waikato side of the ranges. Nevertheless we had a very successful
weekend, with 15 members staying and taking the waters at the
Sapphire Springs lodge. On Saturday morning we walked up the
Tuahu track stopping to look at a large Kauri. It was fairly easy
going. By mid morning we had reached the saddle and had a clear
Newsletter July 2005 Forest & Bird
view over the Waikato. From here we stumbled our way across the North South Track to the Rereatukahia Hut for lunch. The
downhill leg via the kauri grove was a pleasant and interesting walk by mid afternoon. Most of us ended the day with a swim at the
Springs before heading home.

Poor Knights Marine Reserve Trip – 5th March 2005

Since leaving Southern Scotland late last year my boyfriend Simon and I have visited many countries but I must admit since arriving
here I’ve fallen more than a little in love with the Land of the Long White Cloud. I was therefore very excited about the prospect of a
diving/snorkelling trip to the Poor Knights Islands. Also by a happy coincidence I had just learned to scuba dive and was very keen to
try out my new skills.
Despite the journey from Hamilton being slightly detoured (30km) - by a truck “deroadment” into the Waikato river - we managed to
reach Tutukaka at 7.30pm on Friday evening (with only a short stop at the
bustling KFC in Whangarei) and were met by the friendly smiles of Colleen
who had organised everything to perfection. Our accommodation consisted of
spotlessly clean cabin/bunk room strategically located close to the communal
kitchen, TV room and shower areas – just the job! The next day we were up at
the crack of dawn and all 26 of
us, ranging from families to older
couples, were keen to jump into
our wetsuits and head out to the
Islands. As we cruised out of the
picturesque harbour, on the
bonny ship ‘El Tigre’, all signs
indicated that it was going to be cracker of a day with an almost cloudless sky and a sea
as flat as a scotch pancake (or I should say pikelet).
Our first port of call was ‘The Gardens’ and as we anchored up in the idyllic bay with a
backdrop of towering cliffs and translucent water we could see immediately that the site
was aptly named. Diving through swaying, but seemingly strategically positioned, kelp it
was very much like a formal garden complete with sandy paths dividing up different beds complemented by a huge myriad of fish (as
opposed to butterflies) darting around.
However, this trip was by no means only superb for divers, particularly as the water was both crystal clear (with visibility over 30m)
and fairly shallow, and snorkelers and indeed kayakers, who made up the majority of the group, had the advantage of exploring easily
the caves and crevices to catch a glimpse of the many varieties of anemones, sea urchins, algae and starfish. Many of these are
extremely exotic sub-tropical species and found nowhere else in New Zealand
as a direct result of the warm East Auckland current which originates off the
north coast of Australia.
After drying off in the hot sun (being careful to slaver my pale northern skin
with factor 30) it was then time to eat our packed lunches and a take a short
cruise around the islands. On the way we explored the huge and very
wonderful Riko Riko Cave that allowed our fairly large vessel to enter and
turn around. Jury, our Captain, explained that some surveyors had been to
check it out and declared that it is the largest cave of its kind in terms of cubic
litre capacity. But it was not only the size that was impressive, the red and
green algae creeping up the walls were beautifully haunting not to mention the
echoes created from our shouts and stamps on the boat!
When we next downed anchor it was a site named Blue Mao Mao Arch and it was perhaps even more amazing than our first dive site.
This dive involved swimming through what looked like at first glance a cave but before I could put my foot down and state that I
didn't DO caves (practically impossible without a message pad) I had swam through it only to realise that it was in actual fact an arch
(I’d not at that point learned the name of the spot).
As we swam through we were met by a huge assortment of fish
including blue mao mao, kingfish, flying fish, sandager’s wrasse and
shoals of trevalli. By far the highlight however was seeing a
magnificent short tailed stingray in full flight. The walls seemed to
stretch upwards with a kaleidoscope of colours so amazing that I had to
remember to keep my mouth firmly shut on my regulator. No small
wonder that the great French environmentalist Jacques Cousteau
named it as one of the top ten dive spots in the world.
Newsletter July 2005 Forest & Bird
After another leisurely warm up on the surface aided by a mug of steaming hot coffee it was time to head back to land while keeping
our eyes peeled for dolphins. …Next morning there was time to tramp up behind the camp to visit, Goliath, the resident giant Kauri
tree. One thing is for certain I can’t wait to see more of your beautiful country! Thanks again Colleen and family for organising the
trip as well as Jury and his crew for making it such as fantastic experience. I think it is definitely fair to say that a great day/weekend
was had by all. Aileen Donnan

Te Whakaoranga o Karioi Incorporated Society

Karioi group plans for conservation week
Te Whakaoranga o Karioi Inc Society has been recently established to see Karioi maunga restored and now
have groups working on possum trapping, seed collection, propagation, funding, publicity, and website design.
The group is looking for support and help from others.

Conservation week will start with an information day on Sunday 31st July from 10 till 3 at Raglan Community
House, 45 Bow St, to explain the issues and look at what other groups have done to address them.
Then 3 walks will offer a chance to see different faces of the mountain.
On Wednesday 3rd August a morning stroll in the Bryant Reserve bush on the lower slopes will look at
replanting done almost 50 years ago. The walkers will meet at 9am at the car park beside Raglan fire station in
Wainui Rd. A rather longer walk (about 4km with up to 400m of descent and climbing) will leave Te Toto car
park at 10am on Saturday 6th August. It will go to Hill's Flat looking at views, geological features, regenerating
bush, some large puriri trees and former farmland suitable for restoration. The next day, the finale will leave at
the same time and place heading for the 756 metre summit. To conserve petrol the group hopes to arrange
car sharing – phone 07 825 0066, or email oliviaf@wave.co.nz.
JOHN LAWSON, 2 NIHINIHI AVE, RAGLAN. EMAIL: OLIVIAF@WAVE.CO.NZ 07 825 0066

Honorary Helpers Positions ~ Available Right Now!

Do you want to contribute to conservation activities in the Waikato without
going out and getting tired, dirty and wet?

We have two honorary positions available for you.

Publicity Coordinator We need help to coordinate our publicity
Branch Website helper We need help with setting up our branch website; we have the resources but don’t have the
time and / or the expertise. If you have a couple of hours spare a month and would like to help us out we’d very much appreciate
hearing from you. Please contact either Philip Hart prhart@waikato.ac.nz 07 8567992 or Sue Smith sLean@xtra.co.nz 07 889 5859

Return Address
Waikato Branch Forest & Bird
PO Box 11 092
Hillcrest
Hamilton