Welcome to our second edition of Connecting Conservation, and our Horizons Biodiversity Community Team who are here to help you with all things biodiversity.

The aim of this newsletter is to connect groups and individuals working on indigenous biodiversity projects across the Horizons region. We hope to share your stories for information and motivation, resources to share, events to participate in, and funding options that are open for applications.

We want the content to come from you so send us your stories or tips and tricks to us here and we will collate and distribute to the wider group four times a year.

We hope you enjoy and find this information useful and relevant.

Sian, Tyler, Martin & Christina

P.S Our next edition will be in August. If you have something you want to share, send an email no later than Monday 4 August 2025.

FEATURE STORIES

RANGITĪKEI RIVER CATCMENT COLLECTIVE LAUNCH A COMMUNITY TRAP LIBRARY

Rangitīkei Rivers Catchment Collective (RRCC) is a farmer-led collective with a focus on resilient thriving communities achieving positive environmental outcomes. Farmers in the Rangitīkei, Whangaehu, and Turakina river catchments are working together to restore native habitats and wildlife, such as whio, bittern, bats, and brown kiwi – by protecting native bush remnants from invasive pests, like old man’s beard, possums, stoats, and rats.

As forestry expands, riparian plantings increase, and more land is retired in our region, new habitats are being created – not only for native wildlife but also for pest species. As a result, the number of pests threatening our native flora and fauna is on the rise.

The pest animal trap library, funded by the Horizons Kanorau Koiora Taketake - Indigenous Biodiversity Community Grant, is part of RRCC’s broader environmental restoration efforts. It supports farmers committed to sustainable land management practices and pest control, recognising that healthy biodiversity is vital for thriving ecosystems, and the well-being of both native species and local communities.

The purpose of the pest animal trap library is to reduce barriers, educate, and empower landowners by providing access, with hands-on experience, and practical knowledge of various trap types and techniques. Helping to encourage ongoing pest animal management activities.

Tunnel Hill farm near Turakina, owned by Richard and Suze Redmayne and managed by Sam Redmayne, is the first to trial the traps for wetland wildlife protection – with encouraging kill results already recorded!  Greg and Petrina Clifton, who farm beside the Mangawharariki River, will be the second to trial the traps, aiming to bring whio back into the area.  

COMMUNITY GROUPS WORKING TOGETHER IN RUAPEHU

In early March, local conservationists and volunteers from Ōwhango Alive, Predator Free Ohakune, and the Kirikau Valley Community Trapping Group gathered at the Otiranui Guardians "Patch of Paradise" at Puketawa, near Raetihi and Ohakune to celebrate collaboration and share insights on community conservation efforts. The day featured guided tours of the picturesque Puketawa Track, kiwi habitats, and newly built cabins, set amidst lush native rainforest and vibrant birdsong. The attending groups have agreed to get together every four months and explore, celebrate and collaborate on the different groups projects.

The Otiranui Guardians have received funding through Horizons Kanorau Koiora Taketake - Indigenous Biodiversity Community to purchase new DoC200 trap boxes to replace existing trap lines and to create new trap lines. The Otiranui Guardians were also able to purchase 10 live capture cat traps which has resulted in over 22 cats being removed from the bush over the last eight months.  

Although the Puketawa and Slip Tracks are on private land the Otiranui Guardians welcome members of the public to walk through the bush. 

Remember to text Michélé on 021-211-3332 before your visit. 

Address: 386 Pakihi Road, Raetihi (near the Dillons Road signs).

 RUAHINE WHIO PROTECTORS CONSERVATION UPDATE

Ruahine Whio Protectors have wrapped up a highly successful Te Potae trapping season, completing six out of seven planned trap rebaits.

A huge thank you to volunteers, who dedicate their weekends to this important work. Some of the trap lines are lengthy, and stream conditions can be challenging. Ikawatea Stream, for example, requires 10-12 hours to complete - but the effort is rewarded with frequent whio sightings. This season, we were thrilled to observe a healthy number of ducklings.

Trap checks will resume in October, and we appreciate the ongoing financial support from Horizons as well as logistical assistance from DOC.

In the southern rivers, we’re working hard to service the extensive river and higher trap lines before winter sets in. In the Oroua, aging DOC 200 trap mechanisms have been replaced, and we’re pleased to report that all serviced traps are functioning well. This productive summer season has allowed the team to finally catch up after the cyclone damage in 2023.

A special thanks to the “Social Trappers,” who regularly tackle the longer trips, and to the Massey Student Wildlife and Conservation Club, whose members have participated in three trap checks this year. We also appreciate the Vestas staff, who recently completed the Iron Gate Hut line during a volunteer work day in the hills. Community support has been outstanding!

Although rat catch numbers have been low, persistent stoat kills remind us why we must stay vigilant in our trapping efforts.

MANAWATŪ ESTUARY MANAGEMENT PLAN GOES LIVE

The Manawatū Estuary (ME) is receiving significant attention following the launch of the Manawatū Estuary Management Plan 2025–2035. The plan is the result of extensive collaboration, where numerous organisations and community groups contributed ideas and aspirations, now strategically shaped into an actionable framework.

Over the past two years, representatives from key stakeholders including the Manawatū Estuary Trust, Wildlife Foxton Trust, Forest & Bird, NZ Four Wheel Drive Association, Save our River Trust, Foxton Progressive Association, Raukawa ki te Tonga, Muaūpoko, Rangitāne o Manawatū, Horizons Regional Council, Horowhenua District Council, and the Department of Conservation, have met every two months to develop the plan.

The expanded name for the Estuary is Papangaio Te Wharangi Manawatū Estuary, which acknowledges the two pā once located near its Tasman Sea outlet. The narratives provided by iwi highlight deep historical and cultural connections, emphasizing the estuary’s significance as a vital food-gathering site and a resource for sustaining travellers. This understanding fosters respect and reinforces efforts to restore the estuary, not only as a source of nourishment but as a place for connection, ecological health, and the wellbeing of residents and visitors alike. Iwi/hapū involvement in the planning process strengthens opportunities for this guidance and cultural understanding.

The planning process identified seven Action Groups that each debated and scrutinised what was important, what needed to be prioritised and what would be required to carry out the ideas. While it’s still evolving the main objectives that are supported are:

Dune Protection – Vehicle access compliance mechanisms, defining routes and limit traffic across the sensitive landscape.

Fauna - Develop a protection and enhancement programme for at least four species of vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species located at the Estuary. These would include toheroa, tuna, fern bird, dotterel and bittern.

Flora - Develop a programme for at least four vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species, and at least a total of 10 plant species. These include:

• Estuarine ecosystem - Sea sedge Carex littorosa, Oxybasis ambigua, NZ musk Thyridia repens.
• Xeric dunes and dune wetlands - Taataraheke Coprosma acerosa, half-star Goodenia heenanii, sand gunnera Gunnera arenaria, autetaranga Pimelea villosa, pingao Ficinia spiralis
• Dune wetland reintroductions - Matagouri Discaria toumatou, spike sedge Eleocharis neozealandica, pygmy clubrush Isolepsis basilaris, Juncus caespiticius, Mazus novaezealandiae impolitus, Pimelea actea, and sand tussock Poa billardierei

Animal Pests – Carry out mustelid, rat and possum control following the professionally developed plan, including education and Foxton Beach community animal pest control.

Pest Plants – Control at the estuarine edge, spit, dunes, Pinewood Road and marshes. This follows the pest plant control plan that has defined management areas to enable a strategic approach.

Water quality – Report to the community about the Manawatū River water quality. This aims to understand the data that is collected about the water quality and relay it so it is understood by the community.  Submissions will be prepared in response to relevant resource consent applications.

Community Engagement –Will include a regular community newsletter, hosting events, up to date website and social channels and establishing a ranger role. While engaging all schools within the Horowhenua district to be aware of the work and opportunities at the estuary. 

It is impressive to see that work is already well under way on all the top priority activities identified in the plan.

Ultimately this work is driven by a passion from all parties for the environment and people at the Estuary to create connections, protection and enjoyment. This Ramsar site of international significance deserves this dedication and effort.  

The final version of the Papangaio Te Wharangi Manawatū Estuary Management Plan is available on the Manawatū Estuary Trust website and is the hub for everything going on at the Estuary. 

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 need to assess your application.

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 need to assess your application.

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 

PLANTING DAYS: 

Castlecliff Coast Care - Saturday 14 June 

Meet for rear dune planting by the edge of the grass reserve opposite Manuka Street at 1.30pm. The day will start with drawing a raffle and will conclude with afternoon tea.

Dress for the weather, it can be windy at the beach.

Kuku Beach - Sunday 6 July

Join Kaitiaki of Ngāti Tukorehe & Horizons Regional from 11am at the carpark at the end of Kuku Beach Road.

Bring a spade, sturdy footwear, drink bottle & warm clothing. Light refreshment will be provided.

RESOURCES 

This section is for sharing some great web links to information, consumables or equipment that you may have to share or you may have a question that would be worth asking others. 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 Dune Garden - It's 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.

Manawatū Estuary Information and Advice  - Every week day morning EXCEPT Tuesdays, 9am to 12 noon at the Senior Citizens Hall, 207 Seabury Ave, Foxton Beach

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