The goal of Oākura and the Kaitake area to be possum-free, the largest area in mainland New Zealand, is heading in the right direction thanks to the diligence of locals and experienced possum hunters. Since January 2019 more than 300 possums have been caught by experienced possum hunters Andrea and Max Hoegh, and their two possum dogs in urban backyards, parks and reserves, in Oākura and surrounding rural properties. The seaside town is part of a New Zealand-first trial to be possum-free as part of Towards Predator-Free Taranaki – a region-wide project removing possums and stoats from around the mountain. The possum-free trial covers nearly 4,500 hectares and is the first time a trial of this size has been attempted across different land types in mainland New Zealand. The husband-and-wife-possum-hunting team, Andrea and Max Hoegh, work with locals, responding to reports of suspected possums in an attempt to remove possums within the target area. “We’ve also been blown away by the overwhelming support of private landowners, giving us complete access to their property for rural predator control, which has been instrumental to our work,” Max says. An intensive detection programme to find more possums is currently underway, using a variety of methods such as thermal imaging and motion-sensor cameras. A defence network of self-resetting traps, protecting the possum-free area from re-infestation, is also being set up around and throughout the area. Andrea and Max are confident they’ll continue catching these predators in Oākura township, with the support of residents and their two possum dogs. “Locals have been great, telling us if they’ve seen possums through the free-calling number 0800 736 222, It’s been really helpful,” says Max. “Our possum dogs are going well also. They will be critical to locating the final possums.” The zero-possum trial builds on broader predator control efforts to restore Kaitake, as part of Towards Predator-Free Taranaki. Led by Taranaki Regional Council and with $11.7 million from Predator Free 2050 Ltd, the Restore Kaitake work is also supported by environmental restoration project Taranaki Mounga and community-led groups like Restore Oākura, Oākura Community Board, iwi and Kaitake Ranges Conservation Trust. To help reach the goal of zero possums, if you hear, see or suspect there may be a possum in your backyard or somewhere in urban Oākura then please call 0800 736 222 or report it online - - www.trc.govt.nz/possum
Meet the 19 winners of the 2022 Taranaki Regional Council Environmental Awards. Environmental action in educationCategory sponsor: Contact Matapu Preschool - for empowering tamariki to take action to protect and restore the environment. Tamariki at Matapu Preschool in South Taranaki learn about kaitiakitanga (guardianship) through a ngahere (forest) bush corridor they have created and care for. The ngahere helps them understand Papatūānuku (Mother Earth) and their role as caretakers of our planet. Inspired by visits to Hollard Gardens and Rotokare Scenic Reserve, the ngahere provides a spiritual space where tamariki engage with nature. Native planting and creating a biodiverse environment has taught tamariki about sustainability and conserving water. Created with support from Matapu School, whānau and the local community and businesses, the ngahere helps tamaraki develop lifelong skills in caring for our environment. Spotswood College - for empowering rangatahi to take action to build a sustainable community. Spotswood College’s Impact Inquiry programme is inspiring rangatahi to work collaboratively and sustainably to solve problems. In just three years students have created an orchard, market garden, chicken farm, waste management programme and predator trapping programme. The environmental entrepreneurs sell their home-grown produce on site from a shipping container called The Designery. Collaboration and partnerships are key to the college’s environmental success stories including working with Enviroschools and Trees for Survival Trust and a collaboration with the Marfell Community Garden. The college says learning about sustainability resonates with students, helping them to think creatively about the environment and build strong connections with community groups and businesses. Green School - for empowering students to take action to build a sustainable community and take action to protect and restore the environment. Living up to its name, the Green School near Ōākura has embarked on a number of environmental projects over the last three years. Tamariki and teachers have planted 48,000 eco-sourced native plants on campus, providing new habitats for native plants and improved the connectivity to the Kaitake Range while helping soil stability and carbon sequestration. The school has worked with Taranaki Regional Council on a Biodiversity Plan for a Key Native Ecosystem it manages including controlling weeds and looking after 80 pest traps. A wetland has been restored and tamariki take part in planting days at the Tapuae Reserve and Ōākura Beach while events are hosted at the school to raise the public’s understanding of environmental issues. The Green School educates its students about environmental issues through hands-on learning and projects run by the tamariki. Waitoriki School - for empowering students to take action to build a sustainable community and take action to protect and restore the environment. Waitoriki School in Inglewood uses its natural environment as a learning space and being kaitiaki (a guardian) for their taiao (natural world) is part of pupils’ everyday life. Tamariki sustainably use natural products in their learning such as using nuts and seeds as counters. They also recycle and reuse to avoid making any waste. And students take their environmental work outside the school, looking after neighbours’ natural and animal habitats by fixing fences, clearing debris and cleaning waterways. The school has recently been named a Green-Gold Enviroschool for its long-term work on sustainability issues. Tamariki have removed exotic plants and introduced natives and are trapping pest animals while building natural habitats for insects, lizards and geckos. They’re creating bird corridors, redeveloping a wetland, have created gardens and a community orchard, plant native species in Everett Park every year and take part in heritage seed growing. Nicola Stanton - for taking action to protect and restore the environment. Waitara High School head student Nicola Stanton is finding real-world solutions to environmental problems. Her many projects have helped rangatahi to understand the environment and the importance of sustainability. Nicola has turned wool into water filters to stop fat and oil from clogging up the school’s wastewater systems. Nicola is working with her sister Jessica to apply for funding to expand the project so more people can use the wool filters. She also volunteers for the Taranaki Kiwi Trust and a project by Nicola tracking pests and counting native birds has helped improve the areas she’s investigated. Nicola has also attended the BLAKE Inspire programme for young environmental leaders. #e2764{display:none;} iframe {width: 100% !important; height: 320px;} .editable-content .leftAlone{width:100% !important;} Related links
Here are the details about the seven winners and 14 highly commended awardees in the 2023 Taranaki Regional Council Environmental Awards. Environmental action in educationCategory sponsor: Contact Matapu Preschool - for empowering tamariki to take action to protect and restore the environment. Tamariki at Matapu Preschool in South Taranaki learn about kaitiakitanga (guardianship) through a ngahere (forest) bush corridor they have created and care for. The ngahere helps them understand Papatūānuku (Mother Earth) and their role as caretakers of our planet. Inspired by visits to Hollard Gardens and Rotokare Scenic Reserve, the ngahere provides a spiritual space where tamariki engage with nature. Native planting and creating a biodiverse environment has taught tamariki about sustainability and conserving water. Created with support from Matapu School, whānau and the local community and businesses, the ngahere helps tamaraki develop lifelong skills in caring for our environment. Spotswood College - for empowering rangatahi to take action to build a sustainable community. Spotswood College’s Impact Inquiry programme is inspiring rangatahi to work collaboratively and sustainably to solve problems. In just three years students have created an orchard, market garden, chicken farm, waste management programme and predator trapping programme. The environmental entrepreneurs sell their home-grown produce on site from a shipping container called The Designery. Collaboration and partnerships are key to the college’s environmental success stories including working with Enviroschools and Trees for Survival Trust and a collaboration with the Marfell Community Garden. The college says learning about sustainability resonates with students, helping them to think creatively about the environment and build strong connections with community groups and businesses. Green School - for empowering students to take action to build a sustainable community and take action to protect and restore the environment. Living up to its name, the Green School near Ōākura has embarked on a number of environmental projects over the last three years. Tamariki and teachers have planted 48,000 eco-sourced native plants on campus, providing new habitats for native plants and improved the connectivity to the Kaitake Range while helping soil stability and carbon sequestration. The school has worked with Taranaki Regional Council on a Biodiversity Plan for a Key Native Ecosystem it manages including controlling weeds and looking after 80 pest traps. A wetland has been restored and tamariki take part in planting days at the Tapuae Reserve and Ōākura Beach while events are hosted at the school to raise the public’s understanding of environmental issues. The Green School educates its students about environmental issues through hands-on learning and projects run by the tamariki. Waitoriki School - for empowering students to take action to build a sustainable community and take action to protect and restore the environment. Waitoriki School in Inglewood uses its natural environment as a learning space and being kaitiaki (a guardian) for their taiao (natural world) is part of pupils’ everyday life. Tamariki sustainably use natural products in their learning such as using nuts and seeds as counters. They also recycle and reuse to avoid making any waste. And students take their environmental work outside the school, looking after neighbours’ natural and animal habitats by fixing fences, clearing debris and cleaning waterways. The school has recently been named a Green-Gold Enviroschool for its long-term work on sustainability issues. Tamariki have removed exotic plants and introduced natives and are trapping pest animals while building natural habitats for insects, lizards and geckos. They’re creating bird corridors, redeveloping a wetland, have created gardens and a community orchard, plant native species in Everett Park every year and take part in heritage seed growing. Nicola Stanton - for taking action to protect and restore the environment. Waitara High School head student Nicola Stanton is finding real-world solutions to environmental problems. Her many projects have helped rangatahi to understand the environment and the importance of sustainability. Nicola has turned wool into water filters to stop fat and oil from clogging up the school’s wastewater systems. Nicola is working with her sister Jessica to apply for funding to expand the project so more people can use the wool filters. She also volunteers for the Taranaki Kiwi Trust and a project by Nicola tracking pests and counting native birds has helped improve the areas she’s investigated. Nicola has also attended the BLAKE Inspire programme for young environmental leaders. #e2764{display:none;} iframe {width: 100% !important; height: 320px;} .editable-content .leftAlone{width:100% !important;} Related links
Oākura locals Clive Saleman and Libby Baker have seen first-hand what a predator-free environment looks like. They visited Ulva Island off Stewart Island to experience the abundant birdlife in 2016. “The forest floor was covered in seedlings and there were birds everywhere. Wood pigeons and New Zealand robins were happily feeding on the path around our feet. Saddlebacks hopped and flitted nearby, and countless bellbirds, kākā and tui were singing all around,” says Clive. “And what helped get it to this state were the networks of traps everywhere on the island, all maintained by volunteers for years. Now they are down to catching one rat per year.” Since this trip, Clive and Libby have visited Tiritiri Matangi in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf and Taranaki’s own Lake Rotokare. Libby has also spent a night on Kapiti Island off the Wellington coast. “I loved sleeping in a tent listening to the noises of the nocturnal birdlife,” says Libby. With the start of Towards Predator-Free Taranaki and then the active local Restore Oākura group, Clive and Libby knew they wanted to get involved to help bring predator numbers down in their own community. Every Saturday they check and maintain seven stoat traps and 12 rat traps along the walkway between the Surf Club and Whenuariki Stream by Ahu Ahu Beach. “People stop and ask us how it is going, they are really interested, a lot already have traps and others ask how they can get them” says Clive. “When we get home Libby logs the catch onto the trap.nz website.” Towards Predator-Free Taranaki Project Manager Toby Shanley says the great work by Clive and Libby is making a positive impact. “Since they began checking traps along the walkway earlier this year, they’ve caught 25 rats and 11 mice. They are our local heroes and it is a positive step for our native flora and fauna,” says Toby. “We check weekly and we find that most of the peanut butter bait is gone, even when nothing is caught,” says Clive. “It’s important to keep checking and re-baiting as with no bait the traps are not going to catch anything.” Would you like traps for your backyard, or to look after a part of a reserve or walkway? Find out more here https://trc.govt.nz/environment/working-together/pf-taranaki2050/#Getinvolved Or call Taranaki Regional Council on 0800 736 222 or email pftaranaki@trc.govt.nz.
Contact Te Pōtaka Pā Location
State Highway 45, Oaonui Contact details to come. Related organisation / Komiti Te Pōtaka Marae Trustees View on Google maps Taranaki Iwi marae Oākura Pā - Okorotua Marae Puniho Pā - Tarawainuku Marae Toroānui Marae Te Niho o Te Atiawa - Parāhuka Te Paepae o Te Raukura - Takitūtū Te Pōtaka Pā Orimupiko Marae
Contact Orimupiko Marae Location
3611 Eltham Road, Opunake Postal address
PO Box 83, Opunake Bookings: Joan Tapiki
Phone: 06 761 8669 or 027 383 5607 Chairperson
Tapakione Skinner
Phone: 027 210 1236
email: tapakione@xtra.co.nz Secretary Chris Commane
email: com.mane@outlook.com Treasurer Jennifer Jones
Phone: 027 383 5607
email: raukurajones58@gmail.com View in Google maps Related organisation / Komiti Orimupiko Reserve Trust Secretary
Chris Commane Chairperson
Tapakione Skinner Taranaki Iwi marae Oākura Pā - Okorotua Marae Puniho Pā - Tarawainuku Marae Toroānui Marae Te Niho o Te Atiawa - Parāhuka Te Paepae o Te Raukura - Takitūtū Te Pōtaka Pā Orimupiko Marae
Contact Toroānui Marae Location
Mid Parihaka Road, Pungarehu Postal address
19 Cyrus Street, Whalers Gate, New Plymouth 4310 Bookings: Marlene Okeroa
email: okerma01@gmail.com Iwi
Taranaki Iwi Member Hapū
Not known Kaitiaki
Rawiri Mahutonga Chairperson
Damon Ritai
email: toroanuikomiti@gmail.com Secretary
Lena Tauranga
email: toroanuikomiti@gmail.com View on Google maps Related organisation / Komiti Toroānui Marae Committee Chairperson
Rita Rukuwai Secretary
Whakaarahia Koreheke Taranaki Iwi marae Oākura Pā - Okorotua Marae Puniho Pā - Tarawainuku Marae Toroānui Marae Te Niho o Te Atiawa - Parāhuka Te Paepae o Te Raukura - Takitūtū Te Pōtaka Pā Orimupiko Marae
Contact Te Niho o Te Atiawa - Parāhuka Location
Mid Parihaka Road, Pungarehu Bookings
Maata Wharehoka
Phone: 06 763 8701 or 027 896 6759 Iwi
Taranaki Iwi Member Hapū
Not known Chairperson
Jean Hikaka
email: jeanhikaka@gmail.com Secretary
Puna Wano-Bryant
email: punatearoha@hotmail.com Kaitiaki
Maata Wharehoka
Phone: 027 896 6759
email: maatawharehoka@gmail.com View on Google maps Related organisations / Komiti Te Niho o Te Atiawa Chairperson
Jean Hikaka Secretary
Puna Wano-Bryant Taranaki Iwi marae Oākura Pā - Okorotua Marae Puniho Pā - Tarawainuku Marae Toroānui Marae Te Niho o Te Atiawa - Parāhuka Te Paepae o Te Raukura - Takitūtū Te Pōtaka Pā Orimupiko Marae
