Three measures that will strengthen efforts to save kauri trees from dieback disease were agreed by the Kauri Dieback Governance Group when they met yesterday (29 January 2018). It was agreed to put in place: a Controlled Area Notice for kauri dieback a National Pest Management Plan a Strategic Science Advisory Group. “These new measures  [ Read More ]

Dotterel on North Piha beach – note tyre marks, another hazard Today (22 January) Ben Paris of Auckland Council biodiversity team was interviewed on Radio NZ about the recent attrack on a rare Northern Dotterel by a local dog. A dotterel pair as nested on the beach between the Marawhara and Wekatahi Streams for the  [ Read More ]

A new project team comprising scientists, social scientists, iwi and community groups has gained two-year funding from the Government’s Biological Heritage National Science Challenge http://www.biologicalheritage.nz/ one of only six successful projects out of 111 applications. Their exciting new project Kauri RescueTM otherwise known as the Community Control of Kauri Dieback: Tiaki m Kauri seeks to  [ Read More ]

Auckland Council is moving to protect nesting dotterels in the dunes between the Marawhara and Wekatahi Streams. This is the first time for many years that dotterels have nested at Piha: there are thought to be only about 5 breeding pairs on the coast, at Te Henga and Whatipu. The Council will be taping off  [ Read More ]

After testing spraying in the Claude Abel Lily Pond, Parks has started to control the invasive Mexican water lily in the pond. The test spraying showed no residue of glyphosate, but the Dissolved Oxygen (DO) levels did come back slightly lower than when tested before the treatment. However, because of the naturally rotting Mexican water  [ Read More ]

About 20 keen weeders turned up with trowels, spades, loppers and niwashi to tackle a veritable field of climbing asparagus at the top of the old dune overlooking the Bowler and Domain. Organised by Pam Gill of Ecomatters as part of the Waitakere Ranges Local Board climbing asparagus blitz, the volunteers were pleased the rain  [ Read More ]

Community stakeholders met with Auckland Council regional stormwater team at Arataki Visitor Centre today to discuss action in cleaning up contaminated West Coast lagoons. Manager Phil Brown explained that on amalgamation Council “dropped the ball” on this issue, but there are now nine parts of Council working collaboratively on solutions. The missing part was partnering with  [ Read More ]

Twelve people quickly dealt with the remaining 400 plants in the Piha Domain on Saturday 27 June. The project, organised by Local Parks West for the Waitakere Ranges Local Board involved planting the banks of the Piha Stream and the swale by the gate with suitable riparian plants, especially oioi and taupata – coprosma repens.  [ Read More ]

Around 14 people turned up to today’s wetland plant by the Domain gate, despite the gusty squally weather. The area was a wetland in the 1930s and 40s, flooded on high tides, and full of big flax. It has been successively reclaimed from the sea, but is still inundated in high tides. It is also  [ Read More ]

Twenty locals attended on Saturday 30 May to the second Domain riparian planting. Oioi and knobby club rush were among the plants that went in on the banks of the Piha Stream. About 800 plants went in, bringing to over 2000 the plantings.  The project is an effort to improve the stability of the stream  [ Read More ]