Kia ora koutou,

Welcome back to our third edition for the year. We have just recently announced the recipients of the latest round of the Kanorau Koiora Taketake – Indigenous Biodiversity Community Grant, and you can check out the details below.

We are always keen to hear from community groups on the mahi they are doing so if you would like us to feature your story, get in touch and we would be happy to share.

In our newsletters you will find:

🧭 Inspiring stories from the field

🛠️ Practical resources to support your mahi

📅 Upcoming events to get involved in

💰 Funding opportunities currently open for applications

Most importantly, this newsletter is about you. If you have a story, a tip, or a trick to share, we’d love to hear from you. Your contributions help strengthen connections and spark inspiration for others committed to conservation across the region.

Sian, Tyler, Martin & Christina

P.S Our next edition will be sent out at the end of November 2026. If you have something you want to share, send an email no later than Monday 3 November 2026.

FEATURE STORIES

Two inspiring days at the Īnanga Spawning Wānanga

In June we held the Īnanga Spawning Wānanga at Wildlife Foxton Trust. This mahi was supported by Nicholas Naysmith from the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust who brought his expertise and passion through the National Īnanga Spawning Programme.

We were joined by a number of interested parties and community members, and it was an energising blend of learning, hands‑on fieldwork, and shared passion for restoring and protecting the habitats of one of Aotearoa’s most treasured native fish.

The first day focused on building a strong foundation in īnanga ecology. Participants explored īnanga behaviour, spawning requirements, and monitoring methods, gaining insight into how these small fish rely on the delicate meeting point of salt and freshwater to reproduce.

The discussions highlighted the importance of identifying spawning zones, protecting riparian vegetation, and understanding how human activity can impact these fragile habitats.

On day two, we headed out to Whitebait Creek to put our new knowledge into action. The group surveyed the waterway to locate the “love zone, which is the unique stretch where saltwater meets freshwater and īnanga choose to spawn.

We carried out habitat assessments, searched for eggs, and were thrilled to confirm that īnanga are actively spawning right now in June along this waterway. This discovery reinforces the value of ongoing monitoring and community‑led conservation.

The team also explored opportunities to install artificial spawning habitat in areas where natural vegetation is limited, ensuring īnanga have safe places to lay their eggs even in modified environments.

Across both days, the hui showcased the power of collaboration and help to build and strengthen relationships, sparking new ideas for future restoration work.

It was an inspiring reminder of what can be achieved when passionate people commit to protecting our waterways and the species that depend on them. Everyone left feeling uplifted, informed, and ready to continue this important mahi.

We will keep you up to date on future projects in this exciting space, and you can find out more about the National Īnanga Spawning Programme here

29 biodiversity projects to receive funding

This year we have awarded funding to 29 projects from the Kanorau Koiora Taketake – Indigenous Biodiversity Community Grant.

These projects are community-led projects that involve biodiversity protection mahi including pest animal trapping, pest plant removal, wetland restorations, plantings and education. 

The projects this year are spread out across the region with seven projects in Ruapehu and Whanganui, four from Tararua and Rangitīkei, three from Palmerston North, nine from Horowhenua, four from Manawatū, one from Waitomo, and one project covering three regions.

You can read about all the new projects here

Protecting a National Biodiversity Treasure: The Pikiariki Restoration Story

Pikiariki is nationally significant for its biodiversity values, located in Pureora Forest Park. It contains one of New Zealand's finest remaining dense podocarp forests and provides habitat for a remarkable range of native species, including short-tailed bats (pekapeka-tou-poto), long-tailed bats (pekapeka-tou-roa), North Island robin, rifleman, kākā, kākāriki, falcon, kererū, and many others.

Most importantly, Pikiariki is the only known location in New Zealand where a fully functioning ecological relationship between short-tailed bats and dactylanthus (Te Pua o te Rēinga) remains intact. Short-tailed bats are the sole known native pollinator of dactylanthus, while the plant provides an important food source for the bats. Protecting one species directly supports the survival and resilience of the other, making Pikiariki a biodiversity treasure of national importance.

The Pikiariki Restoration project was established in 2024 to enhance predator control, working alongside the Department of Conservation (DOC), iwi, volunteers, and community supporters. Together we are creating a long-term network of A24 self-resetting traps to maintain low rat populations throughout the year. This work complements DOC's periodic pest control operations, including aerial 1080 and anticoagulant treatments, by preventing rapid rat population recovery between operations. It also supports the wider Pikiariki Halo Project, which focuses on reducing pest reinvasion into the forest. Since 2024, the group has become an incorporated society and registered charity.

During our first year, we established 325 A24 traps across approximately 300 hectares of forest. Through additional funding, this network has expanded to 461 traps covering around 450 hectares. Monitoring indicates rat numbers are consistently lower within the controlled area than in surrounding untreated forest, demonstrating that the programme is already delivering positive biodiversity outcomes.

Our long-term goal is to extend predator control across the entire 900-hectare Pikiariki Forest. Achieving this will require more than 1,500 traps, ongoing monitoring, volunteer engagement, and sustainable funding. We are deliberately growing the programme at a pace that ensures both operational effectiveness and long-term viability.

The forest provides a unique opportunity for people to connect with nature, learn about native ecosystems, and contribute directly to conservation efforts. Our volunteers play a critical role in maintaining the trapping network and are inspired by opportunities to learn about the forest's unique biodiversity.

Your support would help us continue protecting this extraordinary ecosystem and ensure that future generations can experience the unique biodiversity that makes Pikiariki so special.

If you’re interested in joining us in one of many upcoming working bees, please get in touch with Dianne.

18 Years of Impact: The Growing Success of the Kia Whārite Partnership

Established in 2008, the Kia Whārite Project is one of the largest biodiversity initiatives in the country, spanning more than 190,000 hectares west and north‑west of Mt Ruapehu. It’s built on a strong partnership between the Department of Conservation and Horizons Regional Council, supported by Ernslaw One Ltd, Mana Whenua, local landowners, Ngā Whenua Rāhui, the QEII Trust, and dedicated community conservation groups.

Around half of the project area is Public Conservation Land, with the other half made up of private land, representing about 8.5% of the entire Horizons Region.

This vast landscape is a nationally significant stronghold for native wildlife. It’s home to the largest known population of North Island brown kiwi and contains the second‑largest remaining area of lowland native forest in the North Island. The project area also includes the Manganui‑o‑te‑Ao/Retaruke Whio Security Site, an essential refuge for blue duck.

Over 18 years, Kia Whārite has achieved remarkable results. In Waimarino Forest, kiwi numbers have nearly doubled, rising from an estimated 209 birds in 2009 to 405 in 2023. Whio have also benefited from sustained predator control, with recent monitoring showing encouraging signs of recovery, with the population increased from 43 breeding pairs in 2008 to a high of 66 pairs in 2014 and increased from 57 pairs in January 2025 to 63 pairs by March, with 40 fledglings recorded during the latest monitoring.

Predator control is central to this success. Across four main trapping areas, DOC and Horizons have removed nearly 73,000 pest animals from more than 23,600 hectares. This work is strengthened by Horizons’ possum control network, DOC’s goat control and aerial 1080 operations, and the efforts of private landowners and community groups who manage pests on their own properties.

While kiwi and whio are key indicators of progress, the benefits reach far wider. By restoring habitat at a landscape scale, Kia Whārite is improving forest health and supporting a diverse range of native birds, reptiles, invertebrates, and other indigenous species.

These gains also enrich local communities. Visitors walking the Te Araroa Trail or paddling the Whanganui River Journey pass directly through the project area, experiencing firsthand the value of healthy ecosystems and the collective conservation effort behind them.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

This is a selection of funding that is currently open for applications. You will need to read through each one to understand the application process & criteria and make sure to answer the questions with the specific information they request.

ALL YEAR FUNDERS

This is a selection of funding that is available to apply for all year round, you will need to to read through each one to understand the application process & criteria and make sure to answer the questions with the specific information they request.

Mātauranga Kura Taiao Fund - For whānau, hapū and iwi to preserve traditional Māori knowledge and its practical use in the management of indigenous biodiversity.

Ngā Whenua Rāhui - For protection of the natural integrity of Māori land and preserve mātauranga Māori.

ENM Environmental Initiatives Fund - For small grants less than $1000 For Palmerston North city only for biodiversity protection and enhancement

Whanganui Community Foundation

Four Regions Trust - For Whanganui, Rangitieki and Ruapehu only no specific fund categories

Pub Charity - For providing some enduring or demonstrable community benefit

The Lion Foundation 

EVENTS

We are going to be at attendance at the following Funding Expos around the region - come and have a chat with us and check out all the other funders available.

RESOURCES 

This section is where you can share some great web links to information, consumables or equipment that may be useful for others to read about or ask a question. Send us an email with any of this information and we can share it here.

Environment Network Manawatū Calendar 

Predator Free New Zealand 

Manawatū Estuary Trust  and the Manawatū Estuary Dune Garden is an easily accessed ephemeral dune wetland area within the Ramsar site, with rare and endangered plant and invertebrate species.

Arnim Littek is a regular visitor with many observations of activity at this site.  If you would like to know more or receive his regular updates email him here.

Wildlife Foxton Trust is open Monday through Thursdays 9am to noon for environmental education and supports the work protecting the Papangaio Te Wharangi Manawatū Estuary work through a number of programmes, including newsletter production, native plant nursery and plantings as well as a growing predator trapping programme. Volunteers always welcome. They also act as a point of contact for weekly pest plant removal on Wednesday mornings. 207 Seabury Avenue Foxton Beach (in the Senior Citizens Hall).

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED 

JOIN THE TRIBE | Tōtara Reserve Indigenous Biodiversity Enhancement

The second Tuesday of every month between 10am -2pm at the reserve.

We will meet you at the Kererū Campground office block for a 10am start for the health and safety briefing, and then you can participate for as long as you can up to 2pm

We will be doing a variety of different tasks during the year so keep an eye on our events tab for full details and any updates to meeting locations.

All essential equipment required will be supplied, including gloves and Hi-vis vests, so you just need to dress appropriately to keep warm, dry and protected from the sun and bring some sunscreen, water and lunch.

If you have any questions please about volunteering at Tōtara Reserve please email us on here

Need help with something??

email us on BiodiversityCommunityTeam@horizons.govt.nz