dawn chorus chorus/dc110.pdf · awarding a tripadvisor certificate of excellence 2017. and the...

Dawn ChorusBulletin 110

ISSN 1171-8595August 2017

Welcome to our new kiwiKokako go home to TaranakiDOC hears concerns about takahe

www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz 32 Dawn Chorus 110 August 2017

From the chair

Plenty ofaction despite the rain

DOC listens to takahe concernsTiritiri snippets

COVER: One of Tiritiri's new kiwi meets admirers. Photo by Derek Tearne

NEW SIGNS: New designs have been introduced for the latest signs to be erected on the Island. This new-look bird ID panel on Hobbs Beach is intended to be in keeping with the beach environment. In addition, a new korora sign near the wharf toilets has been done in an infographic style aimed especially at children.

Photo / Chris Eagles

The Island is just about as wet as it is pos-sible to get but the birds seem to be loving it. The dams are full and some of the far tracks look like tank-proving courses, but with visitors (especially schools) still com-ing in throngs, all is well.

There has been plenty of action on the translocation front. A hundred feisty little whiteheads have been successfully sent to Bream Head. The most notable translo-cation has probably been the 20 kokako transported to Paraninihi in Taranaki to start up a population in one of their old strongholds. The movement of 10 of our kiwi to Shakespear and their replacement with birds from Kapiti Island will help strengthen the Island’s gene pool.

There is some discontent with the transfer of many of our takahe to the Bur-wood captive breeding site. Cheesecake and Nohoa left at the end of May and we are due to lose all but three of our current birds by spring although we are promised a young pre-breeding pair in return. DOC sent two of the takahe team to talk to us in July and, while not everyone was satisfied, their presentation was extremely well done and quite compelling.

The Queen’s Birthday working week-end was cut short by a day due to bad weather. But it was still a great success with much track repair and other con-struction completed. Of course it was not all work and the food and drink for the planned two evenings seems to have been consumed in the one night!

Our application to construct the new field centre, lighthouse museum and signal mast is now with DOC and it will be a couple of months before we know the out-come. Huge amounts of work went into preparing the documents and thanks go to all concerned. We will shortly be applying to Auckland Council for resource consent but we hope to be able to re-use most of the documentation sent to DOC.

Finally, we have a new staff member in Annette de Raat who is now employed as Mary-Ann’s assistant and understudy. An-nette is currently carrying out the shop/guiding manager role during Mary-Ann’s extended leave and doing a pretty good job I’m sure you will agree!

I hope to see lots of you at the AGM.Brian

DOC has plans in place which should alleviate most of the concerns felt by SoTM members about recent changes to the takahe programme. Takahe rangers Glen Greaves and Phil Marsh came up from Te Anau to give the latest Tiri Talk and, as well as explaining their reasons for the changes, they emphasised the important role of Tiritiri and outlined moves to improve communications about the takahe programme.

In the past, the rangers acknowledged, the breeding programme did not always follow best practice. The make-up of breeding pairs did not always ensure the best genetic results and some of the shuffling of birds had led to fights. However, they felt the programme was now more soundly based and improved results were already apparent.

It had also been discovered that pairs of takahe needed more territory than was previously realised to avoid territorial disputes and maximise breeding success. As a result, the number of breeding pairs at each site was being cut back and this had immediately led to greater productivity.

In Tiritiri’s case it's carrying capacity for takahe has been assessed as just two pairs and the two rangers indicated this was due to grassland being lost as a result of the planting programme. However, this was strongly challenged, most notably by Ray Walter, who said the plan had always been for about 40% of the Island to be grassland and none of that area had been lost. That point will be followed up to confirm how much grassland there is. In addition, in a

separate meeting, DOC has agreed to review its implementation of the Island Plan which calls for grassland to be regularly mown to 100mm, to provide an ideal takahe habitat.

The rangers said the high number of visitors made Tiritiri the best advocacy site for takahe and said if the birds on the Island ever moved away from the key lighthouse site, steps would be taken to ensure there were always takahe for visitors to see.

They also acknowledged the importance of keeping groups like SoTM up to date on developments and said more effort was being put into advocacy for takahe through an education programme, producing interpretative panels, launching a takahe newsletter and appointing an advocacy ranger.

Bunkhouse discountThe procedure for getting a members’ discount on bunkhouse accommodation for private visits to the Island has changed. In future members must first book and pay online at www.doc.govt.nz/tiritiribunkhouse. Then email [email protected] giving the booking number and SoTM membership number. DOC will then refund the discount to your credit card.

Praise from visitorsConsistent praise for Tiritiri Matangi Island in visitor reviews has led to TripAdvisor awarding a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence 2017. And the Island is still TripAdvisor’s No.1 destination in Auckland.


Fauna Notes

Tiritiri birds continue to spread their wingsIn autumn most wildlife monitoring on Tiritiri comes to a seasonal end, to be re-placed by the annual round of transloca-tions. This is always a slightly nervous time, given that weather is unpredictable; high winds and heavy rain can disrupt carefully laid plans, including helicopter bookings and public releases. Despite this winter hav-ing seemed wetter than ever so far, all the planned translocations went ahead with only minor adjustments.

TakaheNot many events on the Island are affected by snow, but the departure of Cheesecake and Nohoa to Burwood was delayed slightly due to heavy snow at their destination. They left Tiritiri on 25 May and are reported to have settled well in their new quarters.

Arataki, Edge and Turutu’s juvenile, will be staying on the Island for the moment, and so may be able to help raise a new sibling, should the pair nest successfully in 2017-18.

The gender of our two juveniles, Arataki and Turama, has still not been confirmed due to problems with the testing, but we’ve been told that we probably have one male and one female. Judging by size, we suspect Arataki is female and Turama, Anatori and Tussie’s juvenile, is male. The plan is to move Turama and his family to Burwood in Au-gust and replace them with a young pair.

KokakoThe big event – the transfer of 20 kokako to Parininihi – is described on pages 4-5, so here we focus on the birds left behind.

After Cloudsley Shovell’s partner Bandit was moved off the Island, it took only two days for another young male, Hemi, to move in with her. Royal also lost her partner Maui. We are hoping she will go back to her former partner Rimu, or perhaps pair up with her neighbour Miharo, whose partner Mere also

headed south. The most surprising and welcome de-

velopment following the translocation was the reappearance of Freedom. Last season she was paired with Taitoko, with whom she produced a daughter, Shelly. But in Janu-ary Freedom was seen with a badly injured leg and Taitoko was left to feed Shelly on his own. Freedom seemed to be recovering from her injury but then disappeared, and a new female, eventually named Ruth, moved in with Taitoko. After Taitoko and Ruth left for Parininihi, Freedom emerged once more in her old territory near the Wattle Track firebreak, and was seen in June with a new partner, Hastie.

Other birdsAs well as kokako and takahe, three other species have been on the move since autumn.

Forty hihi were transferred to Rotokare Scenic Reserve in South Taranaki at the end of March and 100 popokatea/whitehead headed north to Bream Head in May.

As outlined on pages 6-7, at the end of April, 10 female kiwi pukupuku/little spot-ted kiwi were moved from Tiritiri to Shake-spear Regional Park and were replaced by 10 females from Kapiti Island. These females all carry transmitters so we can discover where they settle and find partners. Sadly, one of the birds moved to Shakespear Park has since died, of unknown causes.

Our titipounamu/rifleman are spreading further afield. At the south end of the Island was a pair that nested near the bunkhouse compost heap last season, while our north-ernmost sighting, in June, is of a pair 250m from the north end of the Ngati Paoa Track.

Fourteen artificial burrows in the diving petrel colony at the north of the Island are all showing signs that birds have started using them. The boxes will make it easier in future to monitor and study this species.

Duvaucel’s geckosIn the previous issue, we weren’t able to re-port on the latest Duvaucel gecko survey, which took place in February/March this year. Our enthusiastic team captured 78 geckos, once again a record for Tiritiri.

While we continue to encounter a stable number of individuals at or in the vicinity of the 2013 release sites, captures at the 2006 release sites have consistently risen. Our autumn survey results illustrate this trend: in 2014 we captured 11 individuals, 21 in 2015 and 52 in 2017 at the 2006 release site alone.

Between 2014 and 2017 we re-encoun-tered seven of the 19 released 2006 founder geckos, all in healthy condition. Given the elusive nature of these gentle beasts, other founders might still be around.

If you have any enquiries about the Du-vaucel gecko project, please feel free to email Manu Barry ([email protected]).

Other wildlifeWetapunga are being found further afield. They have been seen many times between the Short Cut and the Blackmore Seat, but a mating pair was seen recently in a kanuka tree near the Wattle Track east of the Fire-break. A female has also been occupying a rifleman nest box in central Bush 22.

A baby elegant gecko was found on the Island in late June. As far as we know, this is the first one born there since the recent translocation.

On 26 June a pod of orca, consisting of one male and two females, circled around the wharf, at least one of them swimming beneath the feet of the fortunate observers.

Compiled by Kay Milton with contribu-tions from Morag Fordham, Manu Barry, Simon Fordham, John Stewart and Hester Cooper.

SMALL BUT BEAUTIFUL: (from left) a rifleman gets ready to take off after being banded; the first baby elegant gecko found on Tiritiri.

Photos / John Sibley, Hester Cooper


The first kokako arrived on Tiritiri Matangi in 1997. These pioneer birds were descend-ed from kokako from Mapara, near Wait-omo, and were sent in preparation for the main event, which was the translocation of birds from Taranaki.

Kokako in Taranaki faced extinction when the last survivor of the Taranaki pop-ulation was captured and taken to Pukaha Mount Bruce. His name was Tamanui and he bred successfully with two females before his death in 2008. All of his offspring were brought to Tiritiri in 2007 and 2008, where they, in turn, have bred.

We knew that the descendants of these Taranaki birds would leave us one day, when predator control had made their ancestral home safe again, and that day arrived in May of this year. After many years of hard slog and persistent belief in the cause, a team led by Conrad O’Carroll finally gained approval for the return of Tamanui’s descendants to Parininihi, in North Taranaki.

The first translocation was of 12 birds. We set up nets in the known territories of pairs who had Taranaki ancestry. Unfortu-

nately, some of them had nosey neighbours who complicated things. But at the end of the week we had 12 birds in aviaries, five pairs and two single males.

They were looked after with great care by the translocation team. Each morning Sha-ron Kast, our bird-care specialist, prepared a tempting dish of chopped fruit and veg-etables. Team members foraged for branches of plant species that kokako like. Added to this was a quota of wax moth larvae, which is a real delicacy for kokako. They had fresh water each day along with jam water and a specialist bird-food concoction. After the initial shock of being caught the birds de-cided that this was pretty good service and most had gained weight by release day.

On the day of the transfer, most of the team went off on the ferry while a few ex-perienced bird handlers remained to help translocation specialist Dr Kevin Parker to catch the birds in the aviaries and put them into individual boxes for the drive down to Taranaki. The idea was that the birds would sleep through this journey and that seems to have been the case.

Meanwhile, in preparation for the birds’ arrival, a large group of people, including members of the Tiritiri team, gathered to spend the night at Pukearuhe Marae.

We were called at 5.30am, given break-fast by our wonderful Ngati Tama hosts and then assembled in the cold, dark pre-dawn to be given our final instructions. The first part of the journey was by four-wheel drive vehicles and then we waited for the birds to arrive. Each bird-box had a team of three carriers so their journey could go smoothly with fresh carriers as needed. The boxes were heavy and had to be carried away from the legs of the bearers to avoid bumping. Added to this, the path was muddy and slippery. It was hard to step without sliding, even with-out a heavy box and its precious passenger.

Everyone made it down the 630 steps to the valley floor, then the path followed the valley and became much easier. At last we came to a stop for final instructions from Kevin for the release. There was still a small stream to cross, where the boxes were passed from hand to hand, and at last we were there. A more beautiful place would be hard

Kokako song returns to Taranaki thanks to Tiritiri's careIt was a moving experience when, after a break of nearly two decades, kokako were finally able to return from their safe haven on Tiritiri Matangi to the forests of Taranaki where their ancestors once sang, fed and bred. Alison Bray, one of the team who cared for the kokako on the Island and then brought them home, describes the wonderful, emotional experience of seeing the birds released at Paraninihi.

TIME TO GO HOME: (clockwise, from left) Using mistnets to catch the Taranaki birds on Tiritiri; Narangi, Flieder's partner, is carefully removed from the net; feasts of wax moth larvae and fruit and vegetables for the captive birds.

Photos / JaneThompson, Alison Forbes


to imagine. There was the murmur of the stream, the old, graceful trees slanting up-wards towards the canopy of ancient forest. It was perfect for kokako.

The crowd of more than 100 was asked for silence so as to cause the birds as little distress as possible. Pair by pair the boxes were opened and the birds leapt out and bounded up the branches. As if to say good-bye to us, they remained in the release area for some time as the silent crowd watched in awe and wondered at the soft contact calls.

For Conrad, this was the culmination of years of hard work against seemingly impos-sible odds. He is a man of few words so I can only imagine the emotions that he must have felt. His work will continue to keep the birds safe. He is utterly devoted to this cause and we know our birds are in good hands.

The locals, iwi and pakeha alike, felt the wonder of seeing and hearing these amazing birds up close. For the Tiritiri contingent there was the experience of the beauty of the place and the rightness of the return, mixed with the sadness of knowing that these birds we knew so well will disperse and prob-ably never be seen by any of us again. We knew the individuals and their personalities, the dynamics between pairs and between neighbours on Tiritiri. The Island will seem strangely empty for a while, until the next breeding season begins to fill the gaps left.

A second translocation of eight more

birds followed a month later, when three pairs and two single birds went through the same process. Birds from Pureora Forest will follow next year to increase the gene pool for this new population.

Our visit to Pukearuhe Marae was con-cluded with celebrations, a formal powhiri and a hangi. The Tangata Whenua thanked

WELCOME HOME: The 20 kokako from Tiritiri and their 100-strong escort of people make their way along the steep, slippery track to the release site at Paraninihi; Kevin Parker explains the process to be used to release the birds into the bush of their new home. Photos / Norma Baker, Alison Forbes

us for our care of the birds and made us feel very welcome. Old friendships were renewed and new ones forged. The dearest wish of the Tiritiri kokako team now is to return to Parininihi in future years and hear the song of the tamariki and mokopuna of our birds bringing those hills and valleys to life, as it was in the past before humanity interfered.

FOND MEMORIES: The birds taken to Taranaki include (clockwise from top left) Bandit; Kahu; Taitoko and Parirau. Photos / Kathryn Jones, Alison Forbes


Back in 1993, 4 July was indeed Independence Day for five pairs of little spotted kiwi as they were released on Tiritiri in the presence of then Minister of Conservation Denis Marshall and around 500 other excited onlookers.

This was the seventh species of bird to be reintroduced to the Island. Two years later, a further six birds were wel-comed to their new home, although the weather that day prevented public in-volvement in the release.

Although subsequent surveys have indicated healthy growth of the popula-tion, with something in the order of 80-100 birds now present, a maximum of only 14 birds are known to have contrib-uted to the gene pool. Research over the last two decades has indicated that this is inadequate for a genetically healthy pop-ulation, particularly for a slow-breeding

species whose individuals occupy large territories. Consequently, it was decided that the population was overdue for a genetic top up.

The difficulty with introducing new birds into a potentially-saturated popu-lation is that they may struggle to in-

tegrate, particularly where pairs are al-ready established. To mitigate this risk, it was decided to remove 10 females from known pairs and replace them with 10 new females, with the expectation that the new birds will pair up with the re-cently-divorced males.

The source for the 10 new birds was a no-brainer. The most genetically-diverse population is Kapiti Island which boasts a population of around 1650 individu-als.

The other decision to be made was where to send the 10 birds being re-moved from the Island. As it turns out, nearby Shakespear Regional Park had plans to introduce little spotted kiwi, so it was decided that they would receive 10 males from Kapiti Island and the 10 females from Tiritiri.

Prior to the translocation, the Tiritiri

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: One of the new female kiwi from Kapiti Island is the focus of enthusiastic attention from Supporters and media as she is shown off by Simon Fordham. Photo / Derek Tearne

Three-way shuffle of kiwi to safeguard their futureThe arrival of 10 new female little spotted kiwi on the Island was a wonderful occasion but, as Simon Fordham explains, it was just one part of an exchange of birds between Kapiti Island, Shakespear Regional Park and Tiritiri aimed at improving the genetic diversity of our birds.

BEWARE: Kiwi look cuddly but their feet are weapons. Photo / John Sibley


five-yearly survey was conducted, un-dertaken by two Department of Conser-vation staff and two other professional kiwi hunters. They were accompanied by a small number of SoTM volunteers selected from those who had previously helped with this year’s annual kiwi call survey, most of whom were participating in the full survey for the first time.

During this survey, individual female kiwi were identified for translocation, with transmitters fitted so they could be easily caught again. Seven of their part-ners were also fitted with transmitters so that they could be monitored to see if they pair up with new birds.

On Friday 28 April, six pairs plus four extra males were caught on Kapiti. The following morning they were flown north where, following much pomp and ceremony, the 10 males were released at Shakespear Regional Park, along with nine of the females from Tiritiri. The six Kapiti females were then ferried to Tiri where they were quietly released at se-lected locations.

That same Saturday, a further four Kapiti females were caught for a planned public release on Tiritiri the following day. Worryingly, by mid-afternoon that day the marine forecast indicated a sig-nificant chance that the Sunday ferry would be cancelled due to high winds. However, the inclement conditions did not eventuate and nearly 200 visitors, along with the four new birds, arrived for a close-up encounter before the birds were released. The tenth female for Shakespear was also caught that morn-ing and ferried across the channel.

After so much planning, and antici-pation, it would have been a shame for the public event to have been cancelled, as it was in 1995. The joy of SoTM members and others on the day was evi-dent, with many seeing kiwi up close for the first time.

ThanksSoTM’s thanks go to those who made this survey and translocation possible. Hugh Robertson from DOC wrote the

translocation proposal. Hugh, along with Rogan Colbourne from DOC, plus James Fraser and Natasha Coad from With a Nose for Conservation and their kiwi-trained dogs, led the survey on Tiritiri.

Hugh and Rogan then travelled to Kapiti Island where they caught the birds for Tiritiri and Shakespear. Mean-while James and Natasha remained on the Island to catch the 10 females, and also conduct training in kiwi handling.

Matt Maitland from Auckland Council managed the logistics for Shakespear Regional Park and, in do-ing so, also ensured that the 10 birds for Tiritiri arrived in a timely manner.

The survey costs of about $10,000 were paid by SoTM, and the Supporters are grateful that the cost of the translocation of the new birds, around $20,000, was met by Kiwis for Kiwi. You can find out about them at www.kiwisforkiwi.org.

HARD TO FIND: (clockwise, from left) Hugh Robertson tracks down a kiwi with the aid of his dog and a radio direction finder; the females from Tiritiri arrive to join the males from Kapiti at Shakespear Regional Park; Hohepa Patini from Kapiti formally welcomes the kiwi to their new home. Photos / John Sibley, Martin Sanders


This year's finest photosThis year's Tiritiri Matangi Photographic Competition once again produced some amazing pictures and several new names feature in the list of winners.

FAUNA (anti-clockwise from top left):1 Michal Richter, korimako;2 Geoff Beals, male New Zealand dotterel in breeding plumage;3 Martin Sanders, kokako togetherness.Not shown: Highly commended, Julie Salisbury (for two entries), Sue Smith, Martin Sanders (for two entries)

LANDSCAPE (at right):1 Justine Stewart,

wharfNot shown:

2 Justine Stewart, lighthouse at night;

3 Alison Forbes, nearly light at the lighthouse.

Highly commended, Geoff Beals,

Mary-Ann Rowland, Alison Forbes.


This year's finest photos

PEOPLE (clockwise from above):1 Kay Milton, kokako banding; 2 Sarah Lloyd, Yvain Taghvael drawing a morepork;

3 Deborah Snape, Fenika, Nico, Kayla and Nic.Not shown: Highly commended, Alison Forbes, Deborah Snape.

UNDER-16 (above, from left):1 Esther Colman, korimako;

2 Dylan Boocock, takahe.Not shown:

3 Esther Colman, takahe chick.Highly commended, Lucy McConnell,

Esther Colman.

FLORA (at left):1 Geoff Beals, pink manuka.Not shown:2 Sue Courtney, flax at sunset;3 Jo Curtis, nikau detail.Highly commended, David John Malikoff, Geoff Beals (for two entries), Martin Sanders.


Four of Tiritiri's most high-profile plants were long thought to be lilies but, as Warren Brewer explains, they've now been united with their real families.

GOOD EATING: Ti kouka, the cabbage tree, is beautiful to look at as well as providing good eating for humans, birds and insects, especially when it is in full bloom. Photos / Warren Brewer

Flora Notes

A 'Who do you think you are?' programme for plants

The botanists who assisted in the early Eu-ropean exploration of New Zealand used knowledge based on studies of Northern Hemisphere plants. This led them to pigeon-hole some of their new plant discoveries into families that they were most familiar with.

For instance, four of our native plant spe-cies on Tiritiri were incorrectly placed in the lily family, Liliaceae. They remained there for three to four generations of text books and it was not until late in the 20th century that their genealogy began to be questioned. This led to them being fostered into a variety of new families until early in the 21st century. Now, with the introduction of the science of molecular DNA sequencing, their true gene-alogy has been revealed.

This requires the chloroplasts, which are tiny structures present in the cells of plant

leaves, to have their DNA analysed. Chloro-plasts are essential for photosynthesis to oc-cur. This process allows carbon dioxide, water and solar energy (absorbed by the green plant pigment chlorophyll) to be transformed into sugars, fats and proteins. All plants have chlo-roplasts but each plant species has a unique DNA reading known as a DNA barcode.

The four Tiritiri native plant species that were placed in the lily family are ti kouka, rengarenga, harakeke and turutu.

Ti kouka (Cordyline australis) is also known affectionately as the cabbage tree and up until the 1970s was described in text books as being one of the world’s tallest lilies.

Captain James Cook first used the name cabbage tree in his Journal on 29 October 1769: ‘We likewise found one cabbage tree which we cut down for the sake of the cab-

bage.’ This was the soft growing part of the crown of leaves and was cooked and eaten like a cabbage. It was similarly used by Maori and they called it koata.

Maori used the fibre from the leaves for making clothing, mats and baskets as well as thatching for storehouses. Ti kouka is widespread on Tiritiri. In spring its small white flowers provide nectar for birds and insects. In late autumn the birds gather the small white fruit which is ripening. The tree’s crown of leaves provides shelter for many small invertebrates. Ti kouka now belongs in the asparagus family, Asparagaceae.

Rengarenga (Arthropodium cirratum), also called rock lily, is mainly found on cliff-sides on Tiritiri. It tends to grow in clumps and can be found near the lighthouse.

When flowering in spring its white flow-


ers have a touch of mauve at their base, making an attractive display. The large fleshy roots of these plants were eaten by Maori af-ter a long steaming to soften them. A poul-tice for sores was also made from the leaves and roots.

Rengarenga now also belongs in the as-paragus family. Other familiar plants in this family are agave, asparagus, cordyline, hosta, hyacinthus and yucca.

Harakeke (Phormium tenax), also known widely as New Zealand flax, is one of the first plants visitors to Tiritiri see, as there is a mass planting on the hillside above the wharf.

With its strap-like leaves and tall flower stalks flax is one of New Zealand’s iconic plants. Flowering occurs in spring, followed by seeds in autumn. Each flax bush can sup-port a wide community of animal life, pro-viding them with both food and shelter.

Flax was the most important fibre plant for Maori. Each settlement had a pa hara-keke or flax plantation. The leaves were used to make clothing, mats, food baskets, ropes, bird snares, fishing lines and nets. Dried bundles of flower stalks (kokari) were bound with flax fibres to make floats or rafts. They were also used as tinder or firewood.

The nectar from the red flowers was used to sweeten food. Maori also used flax me-dicinally. The orange gum at the base of the leaves was used to ease pain or heal wounds. Flax now belongs in the Australian grass tree family, Xanthorrhoeaceae.

Turutu (Dianella nigra), the fourth native species in this group, is described as a tufted perennial herb. It resembles a min-iature flax bush with the lower part of the leaves infolded like flax. In Australia the lo-cal species of Dianella are called flax lilies.

In early summer tiny white flowers are carried on long, much-branched stems. They are replaced in autumn by large glossy violet blue berries which are eaten by birds. Turutu is also called New Zealand blueberry but the fruit is not edible.

It is not a widely dispersed plant on Tiritiri but can be found along parts of the Kawerau Track.

Turutu now belongs in the grass tree family along with familiar plants such as aloe, the day lily Hemerocallis, red hot poker Kniphofia, Phormium and the grass tree Xan-thorrhoea.

The genus Xanthorrhoea has about 28 species, all endemic to Australia. A charac-teristic feature is a yellow resin that weeps from the base of the plants. Aborigines had many uses for it. Xanthorrhoea is a com-pound Greek word meaning ‘yellow flow’. The Greek word ‘rrhoea’ is also used in Eng-lish to describe the unpleasant condition di-arrhoea, meaning ‘to flow through’.

TASTY: Rengarenga may still be known as rock lily but it's really an asparagus.

Tempting: Turutu fruit look like blueberries but aren't edible to humans.

SWEET: Harakeke is not only very useful but also produces a sweet nectar.


The AGM of the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi will be held at 7.30pm on 18 September in the Mt Eden Village Centre.

ChairpersonBrian ChandlerI can’t believe that two years have gone past since I took on this role. Where does the time go? The society is strong both finan-cially and in membership and continues to more than attain its goals. But there are still many things that I want to achieve. So maybe another year will allow me to do this. I think that you know me by now and hopefully are happy for me to stay on for another year although this will almost certainly be my last.

SecretaryGloria NashI am the current secretary, having been in the role for two years, and have thoroughly enjoyed the challenges and friend-ships. Visits to the Island on planting programmes and day trips have always been highlights and encouraged me to be a member of SoTM for many years. My work as a Legal Executive in law firms has provided me with the appropriate secretarial experience and this coupled with a lifelong interest in the outdoors and conservation combines well for this task.

TreasurerKevin Vaughan,I am the current treasurer and have a background in accounting and management. I have spent many years overseas before returning to retire in New Zealand.

Committee (nine required)Helen BuckseyI've had two terms on the SoTM Committee, and am keen to do it all again for the next year. A group working successfully together can achieve so much more than individuals - so let's look forward to celebrating the future achievements of our sup-porters group, building on the amazing work that has already been done. To the Committee I bring an enquiring and analytical mind, complemented by an organised, pragmatic and good-humoured approach which is invaluable for working in a team. I have useful IT skills and a passion for all that SoTM aims to achieve, but my most important contribution may just be a roll-your-sleeves-up attitude to getting the job done – whatever the job may be.

SoTM's whole executive team ready to serve another termAll the officers and committee members elected at last year's AGM are standing for another term and when nominations closed on 1 August no other candidates had been submitted. Accordingly there will be no need for an election at this year's AGM. The full team is:

Things have changed quite a lot since the early days of the Tiritiri Matangi Project and, in order to better reflect the current direction and activities of the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi, the Committee proposes the following changes to our constitution (the compiled rules of SoTM Inc).

The current objects of the rules read:•To promote and enhance the open sanctuary at Tiritiri Matangi and to ensure the continuance of the project•To provide financial, material and physical support for the work at Tiritiri Matangi•To heighten public awareness of the existence and role of Tiritiri Matangi as an open sanctuary•To do all such other things as are incidental or conducive to the foregoing objects or any of them

We propose the following objects to replace these:•To conserve and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of Tiritiri Matangi •To support research that serves the needs of natural and cultural conservation on Tiritiri Matangi and elsewhere•To provide financial, material and physical support for the work at Tiritiri Matangi•To educate and inspire visitors and others to become advo-cates for natural and cultural heritage•To provide and support opportunities for people of diverse interests to participate in Tiritiri Matangi •To do all such other things as are incidental or conducive to the foregoing objects or any of them

A motion to accept these changes will be put forward at the 2017 AGM.

Brian Chandler, Chairperson

Proposed change to the constitution of SoTM


Hester CooperI am a working researcher and the projects I am involved with on the Biodiversity Subcommittee continue to stimulate and challenge me. This year saw the start of a programme to return the elegant gecko to Tiritiri. It is exciting to see the Island ecosystem continue to grow in diversity. Pohutukawa Project monitoring continues to cover both vegetation and bird activity and in some sites the regenerating trees are now over 3m high. This involves a significant amount of work and we hope that our database of volunteers will continue to grow. The work of the committee allows me the chance to assist the bigger challenges for SoTM in an environment which changes year by year. It is a pleasure and a privilege to contribute to this work.

Simon FordhamAlong with my wife, Morag, I have been involved with the Tiritiri project for over 24 years. For 17 of those years, I have been a member of the SoTM Committee, four of those as chairperson. Even when not on the committee I maintained an active role with SoTM, including membership of four subcommittees, coordination of the rifleman translocation, a period as member-ship secretary and, for seven years, editor of Dawn Chorus. As always, it is a privilege to work with a committed team as we face ongoing change and associated challenges in our efforts to preserve what has been created and to take the project forward.

Barry Fraser I joined SoTM two years ago and have since been a midweek guide. Last year I was elected to the committee. I am passionate about conserving the remnants of our precious flora and fauna. I was a foundation member of Papa Aroha Environmental Group and managed bait and trap lines. I am a life member of the QE2 Trust. I worked with Coromandel Maori to establish the first kura kaupapa on the Peninsula and have represented it in negotiations with the Ministry of Education and local pakeha. I have been treasurer for Kapanga Kohanga Reo and am a member by marriage of a large Ngati Whanaunga whanau. I believe my experience is useful to SoTM as we move towards a closer association with iwi. I will do all I can to protect and improve the treasure that is Tiritiri.

Chris HannentI have been a member of the committee for two years and have enjoyed contributing and being a part of the organisation. My passion lies in promoting Tiritiri Matangi and engaging with the public to become involved. I have helped spread the mes-sage through my experience in social media marketing. As well as being a member of the SoTM Committee, I also enjoy being involved in the Visitor Experience Subcommittee, guiding and being a part of the kokako monitoring team. I look forward to being a part of the committee for another year.

Carl HaysonI joined SoTM in 1989 and have had over 20 years experience on the committee, including taking on the roles of treasurer, secretary and chairperson. I now head the Infrastructure Subcommittee. I retain a strong interest in all aspects of the Island, currently with a particular interest in restoring the lighthouse precinct.

Peter LeeMy commitment and involvement with Tiritiri Matangi goes back over 25 years and includes two terms as chairperson. Among other things I’m a regular working weekender and occasional guide. I have a wide knowledge of SoTM, its challenges and op-portunities, and am keen to continue to bring that wide perspective for the benefit of the Island. Currently I’m also deputy chair of the Northcote College Board of Trustees and I’m also on the Lifeline NZ Endowment Trust. In my professional life I run my own boutique financial planning consultancy. As well as financial skills, I have a wealth of marketing and communications experience, which is of increasing importance for the Supporters.

Kay MiltonI have been a SoTM member and volunteer for eight years. My passion is being out in the bush with the birds, but the hours spent behind a computer and sitting in meetings are equally important and worthwhile. Indeed, one of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering is the variety of work it offers, from guiding to clearing drains, moving water tanks, monitoring and managing the wildlife, to helping make decisions that shape the future of the Island. I hope to continue in this latter role as a member of the main Committee and the Biodiversity Subcommittee for the coming year.

Ray WalterI wish to stand again for a position on the SoTM Committee. I have been a committee member since the inception of SoTM and still hold strong feelings for the Island. I have been a member of the Infrastructure Subcommittee for a number of years and would like to continue my work as such. I have been involved with the plans to carry out the maintenance of the track network, the repair and rebuilding of some of the dams, and the development of the historical and nautical history of Tiritiri Matangi.


The kiwi is our national icon. So why don’t we see kiwis around very often . . . if ever?

One reason is that kiwis are nocturnal, meaning they’re active at night. They’re also great at playing hide and seek and their camouflage is perfect for hiding in the forests where they live. Unfortunately, another reason we often don’t see kiwis, is because they are under threat of extinction.

Introduced predators, such as stoats, dogs, ferrets and cats often kill kiwis and especially their chicks. Kiwis suffer when their forest homes are cleared to make way for new farms, houses and roads. Cars can also be a threat, especially to kiwis crossing roads in the night time.

What threats for kiwi can you spot in this picture? Talk to a trusted adult about the threats that you see and ways that we can prevent them. Examples are walking dogs on a lead in natural areas and keeping cats inside. You can alsosupport places like Tiritiri Matangi Island and other sanctuaries that help protect the kiwi. What else can you think of?

TIRI KIDSBY MICHELLE GORDON


Day trips: 360 Discovery runs a return ferry service every Wednesday through Sunday from Downtown Auckland and the Gulf Harbour Marina. Bookings are essential. Phone 0800 360 347 or visit www.360discovery.co.nz. Call 09 916 2241 after 7am on the day to confirm the vessel is running.

School and tertiary institution visits: The Tiritiri education programme covers from level 1 (5-year-olds), to level 13 (17-18-year-olds), to tertiary students. The focus in primary and secondary areas is on delivering the required Nature of Science and Living World objectives from the NZ Science Curriculum. At the senior biology level there are a number of NCEA Achievement Standards where support material and presentations are available. For senior students the Sustainability (EFS) Achievement Standards are available on the NZQA website. There is huge potential in that these standards relate directly to Tiritiri in various subject areas: science, economics, tourism, geography, religious education, marketing, health and physical education. The Island also provides a superb environment for creative writing, photography and art workshops. Tertiary students have

Supporters of Tiritiri MatangiDawn Chorus is the quarterly newsletter of the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi (SoTM). We are a volunteer incorporated society working closely with the Department of Conservation to make the most of the wonderful conservation restoration project that is Tiritiri Matangi. Every year volunteers put thousands of hours into the project and raise funds through membership, guiding and our Island-based gift shop.For further information see www.tiritirimatangi.org.nzor contact P O Box 90-814 Victoria St West, Auckland

SoTM CommitteeChairperson: Brian [email protected] 832 983 Secretary: Gloria [email protected]: Kevin VaughanCommittee: Helen Bucksey, Hester Cooper, Simon Fordham, Barry Fraser, Chris Hannent, Carl Hayson, Peter Lee, Kay Milton, Ray Walter

Guiding and shop manager: Mary-Ann Rowland, Assistant manager: Annette de [email protected] 476 0010

Membership: Annette and Malcolm de [email protected] 817 9964

Educator: Barbara Hughes-ClelandAssistant educator: Liz [email protected]

Fundraiser: Vincent [email protected]

Dawn Chorus editor: Jim [email protected]

Island rangers: Kata Tamaki and Vonny [email protected] 476 0920

the opportunity to learn about the history of Tiritiri and tools of conservation as well as to familiarise themselves with population genetics, evolution and speciation. Groups wishing to visit should go to www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz/schoolvisits.htm or contact [email protected]. Bookings are essential.

Overnight visits: Camping is not permitted but there is limited bunkhouse accommodation. Bookings are essential. For information on overnight visits go to www.doc.govt.nz/tiritiribunkhouse or phone the Department of Conservation Warkworth Area Office on 09 425 7812.

Supporters’ discount: Volunteers who are undertaking official SoTM work get free accommodation but this must be booked through the Guiding and Shop Manager at [email protected] or 09 4760010. SoTM members visiting privately can get a discount but must first book and pay on line. Then email [email protected] giving the booking number and SoTM membership number. DOC will then refund the discount to your credit card.

Coming EventsUntil 31 August

Discounted ferry rates for Supporters. To book a trip phone 360 Discovery (09 307 8005) and have your membership

number handy (it's on the label of your Dawn Chorus magazine).

2-3 SeptemberSupporters' Hosted Weekend.

18 SeptemberAnnual General Meeting, 7.30pm, Mt Eden Village Centre, 449

Mt Eden Road, corner of Mt Eden Road and Ngauruhoe Street, Mt Eden.

Guest speaker: Mick Clout, Professor Emeritus at the University of Auckland and chair of the Kakapo Recovery

Group, will talk on 'Saving the kakapo'. 30 September and 7 October

5am, Dawn Chorus sailings, from Gulf Harbour only. A chance to hear the Island's bird song at its

most magnificent.

21-23 OctoberLabour Weekend Working Weekend.

30 October Evening talk. Guest speaker to be announced.

Check the website for details.

4 DecemberEvening talk. Guest speaker to be announced.

Check the website for details.

Supporters' Hosted Weekends are led by guides who show off the Island's special places. Reduced price on the ferry

and half price in the bunkhouse. Children welcome. Working Weekends are a chance for members to give the Island a

hand. Travel is free, as is accommodation in the bunkhouse. Book through [email protected]

Visiting Tiritiri Matangi Island for education or recreation

For more information see www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz ring 09 476 0010 or email

[email protected]

The stunning 2018 Tiritiri calendarThe Tiritiri Matangi calendar

for 2018 will shortly go on sale and it's more

spectacular than ever. Priced at just $18, it's the ideal

Christmas gift for family and friends, and a great choice

for sending overseas. Best of all, the profits come straight

back to the Island.

And when you buy your calendars don't forget that

our unique Island shop has an incredible array of other gift

ideas, including nature books, ceramics, bags, puzzles,

jewellery, soft toys, artwork, natural beauty products,

special t-shirts and much, much more.

So come and spend a day on Tiritiri Matangi Island, see the wonderful birdlife, enjoy free tea and coffee,

buy treasures for yourself and gifts for loved ones, and support an amazing conservation project.

By purchasing this calendar, you are supporting the conservation and education programmes on Tiritiri Matangi Island.

Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi IncPO Box 90814, Victoria Street West Auckland 1142, New Zealand

www.tiritirimatangi.org.nzPrinted in New Zealand by Safari Print

using vegetable-based ink on paper sourced from sustainable forest.

TIRITIRI MATANGI OPEN SANCTUARY 2018 CALENDAR

dawn chorus chorus/dc110.pdf · awarding a tripadvisor certificate of excellence 2017. and the...

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