Coming Events:

Trap Line Clearing Working Bee

We are planning to install extra trap lines near the Waihoanga Stream to extend rat and possum control in the core area to the pasture/bush margin. Three new lines are planned; W6, T7 and T8. These trap lines will be cleared and set up by volunteers in a series of working bees.

W6 starts on the right side of the Waihoanga Gorge Walk, 50 metres past the entrance bridge, and runs north for 500 metres roughly parallel to the stream. It is on mostly level ground with quite thick supplejack, kiekie etc. to clear in places.

T7 will run south down the gorge below the bridge and waterfall, on the farm side of the stream and then back uphill to the farm edge. It is about 1.5 km long.

T8 will run along the pasture/bush margin at the top of the cliff on the side of the gorge.

The first working bee was held successfully on Sunday 7th November. W6 was cleared, marked and the traps laid, baited and set by lunchtime.

The second working bee will be held on Sunday 21st November to do the same kind of thing on line T7, which runs down through the gorge beside the river. This line is longer than W6, but there is less vegetation to clear, so we'll see how much we can get done. If you only want to come for part of the day that's fine.

Only light vegetation will be cleared and the most suitable implements are loppers and pruning saws. If any logs need to be cut by chainsaw this will be done at a later date.

If you would like to help we will be very pleased to see you there.

Meet: at the carpark on Puketi Road near the DOC sign.

Time: 8:30am

Bring: hand tools for clearing, lunch and drink, good boots and suitable clothing, work gloves.

Contact: John Dawn phone: (09) 4074790 / 0274416348

If the weather is unsuitable we will postpone till a later date. Phone if uncertain.

Walk to Hard Beech in Puketi Forest

Just over a year ago Mita Harris discovered hard beech in the Puketi Forest and will lead the trip. Hard beech has only been found in three or four other sites in Northland. This stand is on a spur above the Waihoanga Gorge. This will be an all day trip passing through a number of interesting vegetation areas.

The walk will require a reasonable level of fitness as the track up to the plateau is steep and there may be a certain amount of bush-bashing.

When: Saturday 27th November, 10:00am

Where: Meet at Puketi Road at the car park at the entry to the Waihoanga Gorge Kauri Walk.

Bring: Everything you need for a day walk including lunch and drink.

Contact for further details: Ian Wilson (09 4019056) or John Dawn (09 4074790)

Anyone who is interested is welcome to come, provided they are prepared for a reasonably strenuous walk.

Kiwi Aversion Training for Dogs

Several successful kiwi aversion training days have been held over the last few months, organised by the Puketi Forest Trust and the Department of Conservation and conducted by Pete Graham (DoC Whangarei) and Leslie Baigent (vet, Kaitaia).

Now that stoats are controlled within the trust's management area, dogs are the greatest threat to kiwi in Puketi. Aversion training, when combined with a good level of dog obedience and control, helps reduce the chances of dogs killing kiwi and is especially important for pig hunting dogs.

Kiwi aversion training will become a requirement for obtaining a hunting permit from March 2010.

The Department of Conservation intends to continue providing free aversion training twice a year.

To enquire about kiwi aversion training and to register your dog contact the Department of Conservation Bay of Islands Area Office, 34 Landing Rd, Kerikeri. (09) 407 0300.

You can get a flyer with details of the kiwi aversion training from here:  KIWI AVERSION - THE FACTS  (pdf file, 67 kb)