in terms of data trends.
In terms of water quality, data shows that the water quality is improving, or at the least maintaining (no significant
change).
Only one of the indicators relating to maintenance and enhancement of indigenous biodiversity showed data trends of
concern. A small but ongoing loss in the areal extent of native forests, shrub-lands and wetlands is still occurring.
Offsetting this trend however is the amount of work going into improving the condition
assistance for invasive animal species not
identified as pests in the Strategy
the provision of advice, support and other
assistance for land occupiers and
community groups carrying out pest
control and conservation work in Key
Native Ecosystems in the region in
accordance with the Council’s Biodiversity
Strategy.
In summary, the Council has delivered on all
its commitments as set out in the means of
achievement for the Pest Animal Strategy.
Table 1 on page 11 and 12 provides a summary
It’s been a busy few months for the Towards Predator-Free Taranaki team – which is exactly the way we like it. However we did have some fun recently creating a new video highlighting what the project is all about, what it has achieved so far and what lies ahead. While being in front of a camera was definitely outside my comfort zone, filming was a great chance to stop and reflect on how far the project has come since it launched in 2018. During filming we talked to Taranaki farmers, schoolkids, city-dwellers and an iwi ranger. Although all from different walks of life, they share a commitment to leaving this region better than how they found it. They’re also all excited about the native birds they can see returning and take satisfaction out of helping make that happen. They have a lot to be proud of, as does the wider Taranaki community. Urban residents are embracing backyard rat trapping, with thousands of traps distributed to households across Taranaki. The rural programme is now into year three with almost 1000 farmers signed up to trap stoats, in addition to their long-running possum programmes. And the trailblazing Zero Possum eradication project, covering the Kaitake Range to the coast, continues to make steady progress towards the goal of complete possum removal. Just last month, two toutouwai (North Island robin) were spotted at Lake Mangamahoe, at least 15km from Te Papakura o Taranaki (the national park). Nearly 100 have been released by Taranaki Mounga Project since 2017 – which was 110 years after they were last sighted on the maunga. The birds are extremely susceptible to introduced predators so it was exciting to see how far they’d safely travelled. That’s just one example of many. The challenge now is to build on this momentum and step it up a level. While a predator-free Taranaki is a long-term goal, there are real gains to be made along the way. To do that, we need your help – after all, the more people that get involved the faster we bring back the birds.
education@trc.govt.nz
www.trc.govt.nz
The Council will again be rewarding
outstanding environmental work by
individuals, community groups, farmers,
businesses and educational institutions
through its annual Environmental wardsA
programme. Please feel free to nominate
yourselves for an award as we aren’t always
aware of the many excellent environment
programmes that are happening out there.
Nominations for this year’s awards are open
and close at 5pm on Wednesday
15 August. The
that the Council and the wider community will take to achieve the purpose of the
Act. The Regional Policy Statement provides an overview of the resource
management issues of regional significance and the policies and methods that
will be adopted to address those issues. The Regional Policy Statement also sets
out the strategic directions for achieving integrated management in Taranaki –
not just across land, water, air and the coast – but also between the Taranaki
Regional
the requirements of the Local Government Act
2002 in relation to decision making. Unless otherwise stated, the recommended option
outlined in each report meets the purpose of local government and:
• Promote the social, economic, environmental and cultural well-being of communities in
the present and for the future.
• Would not alter significantly the intended level of service provision for any significant
activity undertaken by or on behalf of the Council, or transfer the ownership or
biodiversity by removing introduced predators from the region. Council Environment Services Manager Steve Ellis says the Showcase will shine a spotlight on the country’s Predator Free 2050 goal and predator control work across Taranaki, inspiring more people to get involved. The predator-free themed exhibition will feature works by 50 established New Zealand artists, curated by Anna Scott. There will also be a display by local artists aged 5 to 18, with submissions closing on 14 April. To complement the
biodiversity by removing introduced predators from the region. Council Environment Services Manager Steve Ellis says the Showcase will shine a spotlight on the country’s Predator Free 2050 goal and predator control work across Taranaki, inspiring more people to get involved. The predator-free themed exhibition will feature works by 50 established New Zealand artists, curated by Anna Scott. There will also be a display by local artists aged 5 to 18, with submissions closing on 14 April. To complement the
projects and
expectations remain high.
Strong financial position
The Council finished the 2015/2016 year with a surplus of
$963,000 (total comprehensive income). Expenditure was
$373,000 over budget, in large part due to the Council
providing unbudgeted emergency funding to assist those in
need following the severe winter storm damage. Overall it
was a good result, noting that general rates increases have
been at or below the rate of inflation for the past few years.
work is:
Securing the future of native plants and wildlife on the ring
plain, where riparian protection now offers 6,000 hectares
of protected native habitat alongside waterways. The
community is currently rallying around an ambitious new
campaign to build on this by ridding the region of
introduced predators to help indigenous biodiversity
recover and thrive.
Transforming rivers, streams and wetlands from their degraded
state in the 1990s, after decades lying stripped of