Junior Takahe Takes the Cake

Junior Takahe Takes the Cake

The Motutapu Restoration Trust is celebrating 21 years of volunteer conservation work on Motutapu Island. More than two decades since the start of an ambitious journey of ecological and cultural restoration on Motutapu, the island is a very different place from the bare island it was back then. It reflects the far-reaching vision of the Trust’s founding trustees and the dedication of thousands of volunteers since.

About 100 hectares of farmland have been transformed into a rapidly maturing native forest. Around 440,000 plants have been planted, raised from seed in the Trust’s native plant nursery; each task undertaken by volunteers. In addition, volunteers have removed many hundreds of thousands of invasive weeds.

Literally thousands of volunteers from the community have worked on the island enabling the long-term vision to become a reality.

“Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Motutapu Restoration Project,” said Brett Butland, Chair of the Motutapu Restoration Trust. “Today we recognise the commitment of all our volunteers over the last 21 years. Together they have created the sanctuary that is now home for many of New Zealand’s threatened species.”

The creation of a native forest capable of sustaining a variety of New Zealand’s threatened and endangered species provided the incentive for the Department of Conservation to eradicate animal pest species from both Rangitoto and Motutapu. The successful eradication has enabled translocations of some of New Zealand’s most threatened and endangered bird species (including takahe, kiwi, shore plover and brown teal) – as well as encouraging other bird species to return to the islands under their own wing power.

“The significance of the volunteers’ work is most powerfully reflected by the survival of the first juvenile takahe on Motutapu,” said Mr Butland. The as-yet unnamed bird, born on the island late last year, was the star of the 21st anniversary celebration.

Mr Butland also acknowledged the achievements of the Trust over the past 21 years. In the first decade: a restoration plan was endorsed, a nursery built, volunteer accommodation secured, a pioneer planting programme started, stands of pohutukawa established around the coast, , interpretation panels installed on the military sites, military sites made safe, and various forest remnants adopted and fenced off from stock.

In the second decade: the reopening of the Home Bay Wharf to ferries, the restoration of the Reid Homestead, the completion of a loop track including two bridges, a major expansion of the nursery, refurbishment of the old Red Barn, the establishment of multi-sport event, the DUAL, as an annual fundraising event, multiple threatened species translocations and fresh-water fish introduced.

“Motutapu reflects community conservation at its best. Let us celebrate the past 21 years and look forward to another rewarding decade of ecological and cultural restoration,” said Mr Butland.

For further information, contact: Liz Brooks, Phone: 027 290 1610, Email: liz@motutapu.org.nz

Recognition of the 21st anniversary and the volunteers’ contribution is taking place at the Marine Rescue Centre at 6pm on Friday 10th July 2015. Department of Conservation Director General Lou Sanson is guest speaker.

ENDS

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