November 11 2015

Project Taranaki Mounga NEXT big project

Project Taranaki Mounga, a ten year $24 million project involving pest eradication and reintroduction of species over the 34,000ha of Egmont National Park has been given the green light with a funding commitment by the NEXT Foundation today.

The venture between the NEXT Foundation, DOC, iwi, and the Taranaki community, will begin with pest and weed control and the ecological restoration of Egmont National Park and a small number of volcanic peaks and offshore islands.

The NEXT Foundation and DOC have committed to funding the first phase of 18 months with strong interest from other parties. DOC has committed just over $1.6 million for the first phase.

Work will start on phase one in February next year and during the 18 months the project will:

· complete a goat eradication feasibility plan

· develop a translocation strategy for black petrel; patēke, kākā, kākāriki, takahē, kōkako and short tailed bats .

· develop a pest reinvasion monitoring regime;

· extend the predator trapping network to protect birds particularly whio and kiwi.

· translocate North Island robin into the park

DOC Director General Lou Sanson says he is thrilled Project Taranaki Mounga has been given a green light with the commitment of funding from the NEXT Foundation.

“Project Taranaki Mounga has been recognised as one of the next big exciting and bold conservation ventures,” says Lou Sanson.

The project’s vision is to ‘protect our mountain for our wellbeing – Ko Taranaki tooku whakaruruhau’.

“Given the strong Iwi connection and Whakapapa to Taranaki Mounga, Iwi are a critical partner in the successful delivery of this project.

Lou says the project will create a legacy of cultural, environmental and economic benefits for generations to come.

“Healthy flourishing ecosystems will sustain the quality and abundance of freshwater underpinning the Taranaki economy which adds to New Zealand’s image, and showcases this country’s leadership in pest eradication.

“It’s exciting knowing lessons learnt in Taranaki will be able to be transferred to even larger landscapes when successful,” says Lou.

ends

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