Spreading our wings 

We’ve agreed to the request of a like-minded group just across the Glen Innes border to give them access to our systems and pest-control assets.

The group, Wai-o-Taiki Nature Reserve Rangers Group, comprises a small group of residents in streets adjacent to Wai-o-Taiki Bay, which is technically part of Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board’s area. However, in practical terms, Wai-o-Taiki Bay blends seamlessly with Tahuna Torea, on the eastern border of Orākei Local Board’s territory, and both coastal reserves share the same eco-systems and bird life. (See story Gumboots on for Godwits). In addition to the Bar-tailed Godwit, Spoonbill, Black Shag and Heron found on the shellfish banks in Wai-o-Taiki Bay, the endangered New Zealand Dotterel nests on the cliff-top grassy reserve. 

David Doleman, one of the founders of Wai-o-Taiki Nature Reserve Rangers Group, has been eradicating pests independently, but approached EBSP to see if we could help him recruit more of his neighbours to the cause by sharing our resources. Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board has now granted us $7,000 to facilitate this and other activities in their area near to OLB borders, for example in the Apirana Reserve which is officially in Glen Innes - but no-one has told the rats that!

EBSP chairman Mark Booth said collaboration with the Wai-o-Taiki group would include making our bespoke trailer and resources available for trap handouts and sharing our CatchIT recording systems and other well-tried procedures. For their part, Wai-o-Taiki members would organise and carry out leaflet drops in their area and help man the trailer on hand-out days. He emphasised that there was no intention to merge with the entire Maungakiekie-Tāmaki area — just to “spread our wings” and collaborate in border areas where the physical overlap made sense.

“We realise we still have a lot of work to do in Orākei Local Board’s area,” Mark said. “We will be spending the entire allocation of funding by OLB in our defined area. However, it makes sense to share already-developed procedures with our close neighbours, and ensure the trailer is used even more frequently and efficiently. As well, the data provided catches of possums, rats and other pests on our mutual borders will add to the accuracy and completeness of CatchIT’s coverage. The additional funding from Tāmaki-Maungakiekie Local Board will facilitate this.”

—Story and pix by Jan Power