Search Results / Taranaki Regional Council

Restore Kaitake

The Kataike community, including Oākura and Ōkato, is embracing the Restore Kaitake work, helping make their patch safe for the return of treasured species such as kākā, yellow-crowned kākāriki and kiwi. Find out how the community is embracing the multi-pronged work here: Restore Kaitake unites community of trappers Get involved and get trapping The areas covered by Restore Kaitake. As part of Towards Predator-Free Taranaki, local residents and community groups are getting behind a multi-pronged effort to reduce predators from 8,600 hectares approximately, including Oakura, the Kaitake Range and farmland down to the coast. The project is helping to rejuvenate the area so native species can once again flourish. The joint work to Restore Kaitake is a multi-pronged approach, involving local residents and groups, which are teaming up with Towards Predator-Free Taranaki, led by Taranaki Regional Council, and Taranaki Mounga Project, a conservation project on Egmont National Park, to implement the work on urban, rural and conservation land. The joint Restore Kaitake work includes a New Zealand-first trial to eradicate all possums from the Kaitake Range. Never before in the country, has it been attempted to reduce possums to zero density on farm, urban and conservation land, over about 4,500 hectares of mixed-land use and varying habitat. Approximately 2,500 hectares of this work is in Egmont National Park (Block C on map) and will be managed in conjunction with the Taranaki Mounga Project and the Department of Conservation. It is part of a possum control operation that Taranaki Mounga project and Taranaki Regional Council will carry out across Egmont National Park in 2019. 1080 bait is the most effective tool to control predators in this rugged environment and will only be used on Egmont National Park and some adjacent privately-owned bush areas. To learn further information and facts about 1080 and its use in New Zealand visit here. This website is a joint initiative by Forest and Bird and Federated Farmers. The learnings and techniques from the Restore Kaitake work will be shared, helping New Zealand and other regions get closer to the predator-free aspiration. The latest technology and techniques will be used. This includes; motion sensor cameras on the Kaitake Range, to help understand predator behaviour; a virtual barrier including 1,300 wireless monitored traps; a trapping website and app, Trap.NZ, where residents can view predator control in their neighbourhood and record their catches. Possum control in the remaining areas of the treatment area (blocks A, B and D, E & F on attached map) will be managed by the Taranaki Regional Council. In Oākura-Kaitake? Seen a possum? Report it online Go to www.trc.govt.nz/possum and show us where you've heard or seen signs of a possum in Kaitake-Oākura, or call 0800 736 222. Watch the video to find out why: Read more about the couple in the video A new married couple are spending their honeymoon removing possums in New Zealand’s first large-scale possum eradication operation, as part of Towards Predator-Free Taranaki. Newlyweds Andrea and Max Hoegh say they’re happily spending their honeymoon working with Oākura residents to help eradicate possums in the coastal Taranaki town. “We just love the native wildlife and plants here so much, we couldn’t think of a better place to be – it’ll be the perfect honeymoon,” says Mr Hoegh, who’s admits to working a little on the zero-possum operation on his wedding day earlier this month. Their work is part of a New Zealand-first, multi-faceted operation to reduce possums to zero density across about 8,600 hectares, on urban, farm and conservation land between the Timaru Stream and Oākura River, below Carrington road, to the coast. The couple’s urban zero-possum work has been underway since October 2018, already catching almost 200 possums in Oākura, but they only returned to the beach side town today (Friday 25 January) after celebrating their wedding in Ireland, where the bride hails from. They’ve been working in the zero possum area, for Taranaki Regional Council, together with Oākura locals, community groups, Taranaki Mounga Project and Taranaki Regional Council, as part of Towards Predator-Free Taranaki. However, the couple are calling on Oākura residents to help eradicate possums - reporting any suspected possums in the area to them 24/7 on 0800 736 222 “We can’t do this by ourselves. We need residents’ eyes and ears to report any suspected possum sightings, sounds or signs of this predator,” Mrs Hoegh says. The good-natured bride says she is happy to receive calls anytime 24/7 from the public to help get rid of possums. Downloads How to record your catches with Trap NZ (303 KB PDF) Predator Free School Guidelines (634 KB pdf) Taranaki Taku Tūranga - Towards Predator-Free Taranaki (2.6 MB pdf) Related links Trap.NZ website Trap.NZ Android app Trap.NZ Apple app Follow us on Facebook Towards Predator-Free Taranaki (external link) Contact Us Towards Predator-Free Taranaki Phone: 0800 736 222 Email an enquiry

High hopes of new grey-faced petrel colony

Grey-faced petrels have been spotted around Oākura, sparking excitement a new breeding colony may be becoming established among the coastal cliffs. If confirmed, it would be just the second colony of the native seabird in Taranaki. That possibility is “very, very exciting”, according to Towards Predator-Free Taranaki project manager Toby Shanley, who spotted the birds near the end of Ahu Ahu Road this week. Hearing their distinctive call one night, Toby took a torch outside to investigate. He came across two of the birds on the ground, with about 10 to 20 more flying overhead. As he walked north along the coast he spotted three more near the Oākura Campground. Toby had seen a sole grey-faced petrel last August, but the sighting of so many and at this time of year has him much more hopeful. “It would be amazing to have another colony of these special birds in our region. And it’s a great indication that the predator control work being done by locals is having a real impact.” Grey-faced petrels are slow and clumsy when on the ground and nest in burrows, which makes them extremely vulnerable to stoats. Introduced predators such as stoats are one of the main reasons grey-faced petrels have become so rare on New Zealand’s mainland, their main breeding colonies remain on predator-free offshore islands. Rural land surrounding Oākura was part of the second phase of Towards Predator-Free Taranaki back in 2019/2020, with the programme supporting landowners to trap mustelids (stoats, ferrets and weasels). With mustelids now under control, grey-faced petrels may be venturing back to breed, Toby says. “The coastal cliffs are the perfect habitat for them. This is the time of year they are pairing up – they breed for life – and preparing burrows in which to lay eggs. So to see so many around now is certainly a good indication they are either breeding here, or trying to.” Taranaki’s only other mainland colony is protected by a predator-proof fence at Rapanui, near Tongaporutu. Small colonies are scattered around the coasts of the upper North Island, mainly on headlands and peninsulas adjacent to the sea. Toby plans to search the coast for burrows, to establish whether there is indeed a colony growing. He is keen to hear from anyone in Oākura and surrounds who may have seen or heard the birds or seen possible burrows. The best time to see and hear the birds is at night, as they travel out to sea to feed during the day. And they’ll be loving our recent weather as they “love a stormy night”, says Toby. To read more about grey-faced petrels and listen to their call go to www.nzbirdsonline.org.nz. Record a sighting at www.inaturalist.nz or email pftaranaki@trc.govt.nz. You can also contact Towards Predator-Free Taranaki on Facebook or by calling 0800 736 222.

New Plymouth’s top trapping communities – Oākura and Merrilands

Oākura, Merrilands and Westown are New Plymouth’s top trapping communities, restoring native wildlife and plants, with the most predator catches recorded, in backyards. New Plymouth urban trappers are uniting to help protect and enhance the district’s unique biodiversity by removing rats, possums and stoats, as part of the long-term, biodiversity project Towards Predator-Free Taranaki. Since launching on 30 May 2018, Oākura urban trappers are leading the crusade to restore local, native wildlife and plants. The tight-knit coastal community have 291 traps in backyards and 437 catches recorded, as at Tuesday 26 November 2019 at the online trapping database Trap.NZ. Merrilands and Westown are next with 108 and 91 traps, and 258 and 187 recorded trap catches recorded. The top 10 New Plymouth suburbs, with the most traps or catches recorded are: SuburbsTrapsBait stationsCatches recorded Oākura 291 4 437 Merrilands 110 0 258 Westown 91 0 187 Frankleigh Pk 95 13 73 Sarandon 87 0 100 Bell Block 75 0 18 NP Central 69 0 120 Ōkato 66 0 145 Fitzroy 60 7 17 Spotswood 51 9 86 Source: Trap.NZ Removing rats is the current focus of predator control in urban New Plymouth district, but possums, stoats and hedgehogs have also been caught by some trappers, Trap.NZ records show. New Plymouth District Council also have 1319 traps in public parks and reserves, with 1552 rat catches recorded. “It’s exciting to see the commitment to protect local biodiversity by urban residents – particularly with committed trappers in Oakura, Merrilands and Westown leading the way to care for backyard biodiversity,” Towards Predator-Free Taranaki Project Manager Toby Shanley says. He urged New Plymouth residents to record all trap checks, even if nothing was caught, at the online trapping data base Trap.NZ: www.trap.nz. “Logging when you don’t catch anything is equally as important as when you record a catch,” Mr Shanley says. He also encouraged urban residents to join their suburb’s “restore group” on Trap.NZ or Facebook, to track their suburbs progress, receive support and updates about trapping and restoring backyard biodiversity: www.facebook.com/pg/TowardsPredatorFreeTaranaki/groups/ “I’d like to see urban trapping become a normal part of our everyday lives. Checking the traps on certain days of the week as if it was like putting out the recycling,” Mr Shanley says. New Plymouth urban residents who’d like help with trapping, have a question, or need help to use the online trapping data base Trap.NZ to record catches, can email: pftaranaki@trc.govt.nz or message Towards Predator Free-Taranaki on its Facebook Page. Residents interested in volunteering to check traps in public parks and reserves can contact New Plymouth District Council’s Laura George. She is co-ordinating local volunteers and can be reached on 06 759 6060 or email: Laura.George@npdc.govt.nz Led by Taranaki Regional Council, Towards Predator-Free Taranaki helps communities remove rats, possums and stoats, some of the biggest threats to our native wildlife, plants and livelihoods. The region-wide project is currently focused on New Plymouth district, but will soon expand to other North Taranaki urban and rural areas before heading south. END

New flat fare system for Taranaki buses

Riding a public bus in Taranaki is about to get a whole lot simpler, with the introduction of a new fare system. Riding a public bus in Taranaki is about to get a whole lot simpler, with the introduction of a new fare system. From Monday 31 January, the number of bus fare zones in Taranaki will reduce from 25 to just four. There will be a flat fare for all passengers within each zone, with an additional $1 for each boundary crossed. For example, a trip anywhere within Zone 1 will cost Bee Card users $2. Zone 1 covers New Plymouth city and extends out to Waitara, Oākura and Egmont Village. The changes affect Citylink school and urban services as well as the regional Connector and Southlink services. Taranaki Regional Councillor and Regional Transport Committee chairman Matthew McDonald says the new fare zones provide greater clarity to bus users. He says the Council is working hard to make public transport more user and environmentally-friendly. “Our community has told us they want more routes and buses that run more frequently. Getting our fare zones right is an important first step towards that.” New route extensions will be announced over the coming months. The new fare zones will mean small fare decreases for some users, including adults on urban services and anyone travelling from Waitara, Oākura or Bell Block into New Plymouth. South Taranaki travellers are also set to benefit, with a Connector fare from Hāwera to New Plymouth dropping from $9.60 to $5 with a Bee Card. There will be small increases for other users. As part of the move to a flat fare, child fares on the Citylink services will be discontinued, adding between 15 and 40c per ride. Concession fares for Community Services Card, Total Mobility Card and Access Card holders will also end, adding 20c a ride. Super Gold entitlements are unchanged. Council Transport Engagement Manager Sarah Hiestand says this is the first time any bus fares have increased since 2008. “The new system overall is expected to result in a small increase in revenue, which will be put straight back into delivering more and better bus services for the region. “It’s always a balance between fares and public funding when it comes to buses and we believe we’ve got it right.” About Bee Cards The Bee Card is a bus payment card which allows you to 'tag on and tag off' the bus. It provides you with cheaper fares and is able to be used across nine regions around New Zealand, including Taranaki. The Bee Card was introduced in Taranaki in 2020 and is used by 90% of passengers. Cash fares are still accepted on the buses. To order a Bee Card go to www.beecard.co.nz or pick one up in person. For a list of retailers go to www.trc.govt.nz/bee-card

Sweet 'n salty bait is best

Taranaki rats prefer a sweet and salty combination when it comes to bait, an investigation by a keen Oākura trapper has found. Twelve-year-old Samuel Salisbury may have helped settle a common question when it comes to backyard trapping – which bait is the best to catch rats and mice? Over three weeks, Samuel – a committed urban trapper in Oākura - tested four different bait flavours including Nutella, half peanut butter and jam, half peanut butter and cinnamon and just plain peanut butter – in different locations at his school. His findings show peanut butter and jam came out on top as the preferred bait for rats, while Nutella was favoured by mice and plain peanut butter was the next best for both pest species. Towards Predator-Free Taranaki Project Manager Toby Shanley says the question about what bait to use is asked almost daily by urban trappers in New Plymouth district as they rally to support native wildlife and plants by trapping rats, possums and stoats. He reminded residents that If anyone sees or hears signs of a possum in urban or rural Oākura, they should report it, helping the trial to wipe-out possums in the area: 0800 736 222 or report online: https://bit.ly/2oPGKvr “I’ve heard of some pretty unusual bait flavours being tried by residents – avocado, parmesan cheese, pineapple lumps and macadamia butter, but the trick is to mix it up and find out what rats at your place like best, everyone is different.” Samuel ran the investigation at Oākura school’s Environment Centre earlier this year, and it was also entered as a project into the Science and Technology Fair in New Plymouth. This year Samuel also received the Sir Peter Blake Young Leader award, recognising environmental leadership in particular. He and his brother Oliver regularly checks traps at their home and around Kaitake with his mum and dad, Julie and Jeff Salisbury. END

Think like a rat - trapping advice

When putting out your trap – think like a rat! That's the trapping advice from Josh La Franchie, one of New Plymouth district's most committed and youngest urban trappers. About 1100 traps have been set in the district's urban backyards by residents, who like josh, want to protect native wildlife and plants and have joined Towards Predator-Free Taranaki. "They like to hang around under trees and we seem to catch more down by the river, says Josh (7), from Oakura as he checks a rat trap nestled

One year into Towards Predator-Free Taranaki

country. Other highlights in the past year include: Eradicating all possums from Oakura is getting closer. Phenomenal support from Oākura urban and rural residents has seen 53 possums caught in town and 140 in rural Oākura in the past four months. It’s now critical residents report any suspected possums on 0800 736 222 or online at www.trc.govt.nz/possum to help catch every last one. New Plymouth school students are leading urban efforts, with 33 primary and secondary schools participating in urban

Best native-bird breeding season in 30 years

Taranaki, the region-wide project supporting biodiversity, primary industries and improving lifestyles, by removing rats, possums and stoats and their threat to native wildlife, plants and spreading disease. Towards Predator-Free Taranaki Project Manager Toby Shanley says Pukeiti, Taranaki’s world-class gardens and rainforest, is also like a bird haven currently, with almost daily sightings of dozens of kereru at one time and flocks of tui. Pukeiti, Oakura and Kaitake are at the forefront of

Route 40 - Ōkato to NPBHS

Live Tracking Downloads R40 Schoolbus Oakura April2023 w (266 KB pdf) Citylink school bus fares Bee Card concessions, including youth and child concessions BUS DEPARTURE POINTS See our page of maps showing school-bus afternoon departure points at New Plymouth secondary and intermediate schools. Each map is also downloadable in PDF format. Afternoon departure points BEE CARDS All about Bee Card Bee Cards are the preferred method of contactless payment. Cash is still accepted for those who do not

Schools newsletter August 2018

In this issue: Taranaki Taku Tūranga - Our Place, Towards a Predator-Free Taranaki; and joining hands with Enviroschools. Tēnā koutou katoa. Two exciting news items to report in this SITE newsletter. Taranaki Taku Tūranga – Our Place, Towards a Predator-Free Taranaki, has been launched and we are encouraging schools to get actively involved in this large-scale, community-based project. This edition of SITE focuses on Towards a Predator-Free Taranaki and includes how you and your students can get on board. In short, if you are interested, get in touch (education@trc.govt.nz) and we can hatch an exciting project plan based at your school or a suitable green space close to your school. Dr Emily Roberts Also, the Taranaki Regional Council has expanded its commitment to environmental education and now supports the regional coordination of Enviroschools. The expanded Environmental Education team have plans in motion for widening their support of schools and kindergartens across the region. Watch this space for further Enviroschools developments and enjoy the Enviroschools newsletter which will be included with the SITE newsletter every term, starting with this issue. Nāku noa nā, Dr Emily Roberts. Towards a Predator-Free TaranakiTowards a Predator-Free Taranaki is the largest predator-free project of its kind in New Zealand (woohoo!) and we would love you and your school to become part of the action. It is an exciting opportunity for the whole region to work together to better protect native wildlife against introduced predators including rats, stoats and possums. Towards a Predator-Free Taranaki will be rolled out iin stages (click on map for big version). Given that so many species in New Zealand are endemic (found only in New Zealand) and threatened, this project provides an amazing opportunity for your school to make a real difference safeguarding species and helping Taranaki move towards being predator-free. It will be rolled out across rural and urban land around the Mounga, starting around the New Plymouth, Oākura and Kaitake Range areas. To be successful, the project requires the whole community to get on board with predator control being undertaken by local residents, farmers, community groups and schools, hopefully including yours. You can find out more about Towards Predator-Free Taranaki here at www.trc.govt.nz. How can my school get involved?A project can cater for a diverse range of students of different ages and abilities. To hatch a plan that will suit you and your students, we are keen to brainstorm project ideas with you. We can then provide ongoing advice and support for your project and help source the monitoring and trapping equipment required. In the first instance, we will focus on schools in the New Plymouth and Oākura areas where the programme is initially being rolled out. We are also keen to help schools elsewhere in the region get up and running with their projects. If you are keen to get started, discuss ideas or have any questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch (education@trc.govt.nz). Tools and resources availableGet monitoring predatorsIt’s interesting and useful to discover what predators are in your area before you start your trapping programme. This information can help guide where best to place your traps. Once you are up and running, it’s good to monitor for predators every six months or so to know what predators are still around and how successful your trapping programme has been. We can provide you with the tools needed to do this. Tools for the job: Tracking tunnels and cards, chew cards and wax tags. Get makingYour students might want to make their own trapping and monitoring equipment. We can provide the materials for trap boxes and there are lots of great resources online to make your own tracking tunnels and chew cards. Your students can also get creative, providing habitat for native wildlife by building wēta motels and bug hotels. Tools for the job: See a useful index of suggestions and links on the Predator-Free NZ website. Get trapping Setting a predator trap. We can provide traps and advise on where best to place them and who should use them. We can also show you how to record catch data online using Trap NZ. Tools for the job: Traps including T-rex snap traps and Victor traps - www.trap.nz Get learningWith help from Predator Free NZ, we have put together some Predator-Free School Guidelines (download as a PDF here or email us if you want them in Word format). There are also lots of fantastic resources available online. Tools for the job: Predator Free School Guidelines Predator Free NZ school resources Department of Conservation education resources Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust website Get monitoring biodiversityAn important part of any predator control programme is to monitor how native wildlife is benefitting as a consequence. Conducting a BioBlitz every six months is good fun and your students will learn about all of the species in the local area that you are protecting. You might prefer to take a more targeted approach and focus on one group of organisms. For example, if you’re interested in birds, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research have developed some great resources around how to conduct a bird survey. We are happy to provide advice and get you up and running with your monitoring programme. Tools for the job: See NatureWatch NZ (inaturalist.nz) and Manaaki Whenua Landcare Reseach garden bird surveys Get visitingThere are some great locations in Taranaki to learn more about the benefits of controlling predators and protecting native biodiversity. Here are three awesome venues to visit for field trips linking in with your predator control project: Pukeiti, Rotokare Scenic Reserve and Purangi Kiwi Project. Email them to find a suitable time to visit. Tools for the job: Contact education@trc.govt.nz for Pukeiti, educator@rotokare.org.nz for Rotokare Scenic Reserve and info@purangikiwi.co.nz for the Purangi Kiwi Project. Get raising money for the school Sell these kits to raise funds for your school. If your school is willing to distribute traps to the local community, the Taranaki Regional Council can provide traps for free that can then be sold to raise funds for your school. The Council can provide Towards Predator-Free Taranaki packs that include a trap, trap box, reusable bag, letterbox/fence badge and information about the project. This offer is initially directed towards schools within the New Plymouth and Oākura areas, and will subsequently be expanded around the region as the project grows. The packs can then be sold on by the school for $10 each providing the money raised is put towards a good cause relevant to the school. OutcomesThe vision of Towards a Predator-Free Taranaki is to better protect and restore native animals and plants. Many species are set to benefit from Taranaki moving towards being predator-free, including: Scarlet rātā vine Tomtit - miromiro Kākā NZ dotterel - tūturiwhau Kiwi Wēta Tūī We’d love to hear from your students about their aspirations and what we can achieve together through this project. Download the full SITE newsletter and the Enviroschools newsletter in PDF format: SITE newsletter 86 - August 2018 Enviroschools Taranaki newsletter - July 2018 Predator Free School Guidelines (634 KB pdf) Taranaki Taku Tūranga - Towards Predator-Free Taranaki (2.6 MB pdf) Related links Taranaki Taku Tūranga - Towards a Predator-Free Taranaki Enviroschools website Contact Us Phone: 0800 736 222 Email an enquiry Contact Us Phone: 0800 736 222 Email an enquiry

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