TRUST'S SUCCESSES
Background
Since its inception in June 1997, the Little Barrier Island (Hauturu) Supporters' Trust has played a significant part in the preservation of Hauturu as an internationally important Nature Reserve.
The island is one of the last remnants of "primeval New Zealand". Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1895, it is viewed by the Dept of Conservation as "an invaluable refuge for rare and endangered plants, birds and animals whose mainland habitats have been destroyed".
The Trust's primary objective is to contribute to the preservation of the indigenous values of the island and the realisation of its full potential as a wildlife sanctuary.
The Trust raises funds to assist selected projects on the island. It is also helping to educate the public on conservation issues pertinent to the island.
Tuatara
On Hauturu, since the early 1990’s, DOC has run an intensive captive management programme for Little Barrier tuatara, so as to provide for their future release into the natural environment.
This project led to such successful breeding that more living space was needed.
In 2002, thanks to an ASB Community Trust grant, supporters' funds, and the efforts of several working parties, the Trust provided a new tuatara enclosure.
The Trust actively supported DOC in obtaining its resource consent to eradicate kiore, and played a large part in enabling the appeal against the original proposal to be settled.
The eradication programme was carried out in 2004. The subsequent 2-year monitoring period and final island-wide survey confirmed its success.
Once rats (kiore) had, like the wild cats before them, been eliminated, Hauturu tuatara could be set free.
The ceremonial release took place on the 12th Nov, 2006.
The next day, 30 tuatara were transferred to remote release sites. More have followed, and are seen to be doing well in the wild, but a core captive breeding population is being maintained in support
Battling Plant Pests
A key target of the Trust's work is weed eradication. Weeds are a major threat to the native plant life and natural environment of Hauturu. In 1996, DOC began a long-term project to tackle the problem, but with limited resources.
The Trust resolved to extend and advance this urgent work.
Climbing Asparagus (Asparagus scandens) is Hauturu's most threatening invasive weed; it can both smother and strangle native forest. Every year, the south-western sector of the island is systematically searched, on foot and by abseiling. Every plant found is destroyed.
The Trust is pleased to have hastened progress:
An early Tindall Foundation grant enabled the Trust to advance abseiling work on Hauturu's steep cliffs.
Donations from Hauturu supporters extended 'on the ground' work over two seasons so that the perimeter of the climbing asparagus infestation was reached and new plot boundaries established.
The Trust also provided for the installation of permanent markers for the relevant weed plots.
Other Plant Pests
Three other major plant pests on Hauturu are Mexican devil, mistflower and pampas grass, all widely spread.
When Biodiversity Funds became available, DOC embarked on a more extensive weed eradication campaign. These pests are under attack, and the battle against climbing asparagus is now being won.
Selective use of herbicides is needed to eradicate many of these invasive weeds.
On the Trust's behalf, Monsanto, Dupont and, more recently, Nufarm have provided necessary herbicides.
Prickly hakea (Hakea sericea)
This had become well established on the south-eastern corner of the island, at East Cape.
In 2001, the Trust embarked on a three- to five-year programme to eradicate prickly hakea. Generous grants from the NZ National Parks & Conservation Foundation have ensured excellent progress.
Coastal Weeds
All of the above plant pests, and many more, pose a threat to both on- and off-shore native forests. Seeds and plant material can all too easily be transferred from the mainland by birds, humans, wind, or even sea.
On Hauturu, constant vigilance is maintained against re-infestation and the arrival of new threats.
The Trust has publicized the threat posed by coastal weeds, generating a good response from members of the public, concerning both private and public land.
Hauturu Supporters take part in 'hands-on' work at Tawharanui, the Regional Park nearest to Hauturu, and on 'working & walking' visits to the island itself.
Aerial Surveys
The Trust has funded two aerial photographic surveys of the island.
The second, after the deluge of March 1998, reveals the massive erosion caused. It contributes to operational planning and provides a benchmark for a wide range of scientific studies.
Unique Ecosystem
The Trust will continue with weed eradication work, as it is vital to the preservation of the island's unique ecosystem.
The Trust's Patron, artist and ornithologist Don Binney, describes Hauturu as “arguably the last virtually intact example of northern New Zealand biosphere… It is one of the relatively few island spaces anywhere that has resisted almost entirely human encroachment, social encroachment, and developmental encroachment."
Did you know: Hauturu ia free of all mammalian predators. Only two ever became established on the island: Kiore (Rattus exulans - the Pacific rat) and feral cats.