KererūThe newsletter for members of Zealandia: The Karori Sanctuary Experience

Dear Member

HEART-WARMING NEWS AT A CHILLY TIME OF YEAR!

While the weather has been rather chilly of late, recent announcements about an enhanced partnership with Wellington City Council, that will secure Zealandia’s future, have certainly been heart-warming. Please find attached a letter from our new Chair, Kevin Brady, inviting you to a gathering to be held at 7:30pm on Thursday 26 July in the foyer of the Visitor Centre. We would like to take this opportunity to formally acknowledge the significant contributions of both Catherine Isaac and Don Huse, for you to meet the new Board and to say thank you for all your support and commitment.

Sadly, in March we said goodbye to one of Zealandia’s most passionate advocates with the passing of Sir Paul Callaghan. Despite ill-health, Sir Paul delivered an eloquent and compelling public talk at Victoria University, just one month before his death. He spoke of his “Zealandia Vision” for a predator-free New Zealand - see overleaf for more.

Zealandia’s reputation continues to build internationally. Acclaimed British writer, broadcaster and actor Stephen Fry made a return visit to see us in March, tweeting to his 4 million followers: “Incredible day yesterday going round Zealandia. Tuatara, weta, tui, bellbird, kaka: what a stunning place. The birdsong!” Other internationals seem to agree, we’ve seen a 34% increase (over 5,000 people) in international visitors to Zealandia over the past year.

We know though, that our reputation is based on our continued eco-restoration progress and the quality of our associated visitor and educational experience. The expansion of our “Walk and Talk” programme, introduction of feeder talks and recent eel release in the sanctuary are all initiatives that enhance this. There will be more to come, so watch this space.

Last but not least, thanks to all those who accepted an e-copy of Kereru to help us reduce paper usage and postage costs. Kereru issue No. 46 sees a 75% reduction in print numbers! Whichever way you choose to receive your copy of Kereru, we hope you enjoy it.

Nancy McIntosh-Ward, Chief Executive.JU

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NATURE ROUNDUPWe received excellent news on our freshwater restoration - hundreds of small banded kokopu (native fish) have been observed during surveys of the streams south of the top dam. Before the trout eradication operation in February 2011 just two were seen! This vastly improved survival of kokopu juveniles confirms trout were significantly affecting the species and the results are just what we were hoping for.

Despite a delayed start to nesting due to storms last spring the last breeding season saw 84 hihi chicks fledge successfully, just shy of the highest ever number (89) fledged in 2005/6. The feeder at the Discovery Area remains the most active site with many young male hihi in evidence – we are unsure why this site is especially favoured but it makes for wonderful viewing opportunities.

In the previous issue of Kereru we shared the exciting news that our “retired” takahe were nesting. They did indeed lay an egg and shared incubation for over 40 days but, as suspected, the egg did not hatch. Nevertheless, there’s now a third big blue bird living in the wetlands – a pukeko found its way to Zealandia in April! While we would be concerned if a group of them established (they can damage plants as well as kill young birds, reptiles and

NEW: GUIDED WALKS AND FEEDING TALKS!In March we began offering a fantastic new range of free guided tours and talks, and what a hit they have been!

If you haven’t yet enjoyed a 45 minute “Walk & Talk” with one of our Ranger Guides we strongly recommend you give it a go, you’ll definitely learn something new.

SIR PAUL CALLAGHAN’S “CRAZY IDEA”Respected scientist, outspoken advocate and Zealandia Trustee, the late Sir Paul Callaghan gave his last public talk in February this year. It was a subject close to his heart: The Sanctuary Vision and its Importance for New Zealand.

Sir Paul spoke of NZ’s unique natural heritage and challenged us to take the lessons learned at Zealandia and use them to expand pest eradication over mainland New Zealand, before it’s too late.

“Let’s get rid of the lot. Let’s get rid of all the damn mustelids, all the rats, all the possums, from the mainland islands of New Zealand. We start with Rakiura [Stewart Island]. And we work our way up. We can do this. We know how to do it.”

Forest & Bird’s Nicola Toki also believes a predator free NZ is possible, speaking at the Transit of Venus forum:

“We get told it’s too hard, that it’s crazy. But that’s rubbish; in the 1970s nobody believed we could get rats off 16 hectares but in 2005 we got them off 11,300 hectares, on Campbell Island. We have the technology, we have the science, we certainly have the urgency, and the world is watching.”

LINKS

Watch Sir Paul’s talk on our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com//VisitZEALANDIA

Watch the Transit of Venus 2012 forum at: www.youtube.com/MSINewZealand

invertebrates) we think this one will likely move on eventually. In the meantime you might see a perfect comparison of the smaller pukeko alongside its endangered cousin the larger, flightless, takahe.

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LO-V IS IN THE AIR!Kaka had a successful season with the story of one particular chick making the headlines. Sickly runt “Aroha” (with leg band combination: LO-V) was presumed so close to death that nest-minders had a body bag at the ready – but he/she defeated the odds and delighted us all by hanging on to life!

Aroha fledged successfully in January but was only recently spotted as a subadult by volunteer Bill Beale – a happy moment.

Story: http://bit.ly/yQsWWD Photos: http://bit.ly/MSjexz

BEDTIME SECRETS OF THE BELLBIRDA major obstacle in establishing a viable bellbird (korimako)population at Zealandia has been the recruitment of breeding females, despite many fledglings being produced each season. For the past four years, sample birds have been tracked during the day to look for dispersal patterns and survival. This season we also looked at where they were roosting each night.

We captured eight females (six juveniles and two adults) and tracked them to their roost sites between late February and early May. The staff and volunteer team clocked up one hundred successful roost-finds over this time. Daytime scans and observations were also gathered.

Early in the study, birds were foraging and roosting inside the sanctuary valley but, as time went by, many of the birds began to forage and roost regularly in nearby Karori and Polhill Gully.

Sadly, two juveniles were predated at outside roost sites within weeks of shifting from the sanctuary. However, one adult female was seen regularly in Karori and was found to have habitual roost sites there. This female showed up as an unbanded bird at the start of the previous season which suggests she survived outside, maybe in the same area, last winter.

The transmitters have now expired. Two birds still carry them but eventually the attachment thread will degrade and fall off.

TUNA (EELS)This month we welcomed ten more longfin eels to Te Mahanga stream. Longfin numbers are declining in NZ, with commercial fishing, turbines, habitat loss and pollution putting this endemic species ‘At Risk’.

Black pipes were wired into the stream banks underwater with several eels ‘soft released’ into these and held for three days. “When the barriers were removed, the eels poked their heads out and popped back in – exactly the reaction we were hoping for” said Educator Brian Ireland.

Six eels were released by the upper Te Mahanga track, where feeding talks run daily, and a control group of four were released further upstream. Eels like dark places to hide so more fern cover will be planted to supplement the currently available shelter.

DO YOU HAVE A CAT?

Consider keeping your cat indoors during the day - when birds are about. When your cat dies, you can improve the survival of local birds and reptiles by not getting a new one.

As they “key in” to feeding times, and as the weather warms up, the eels will become more active and visible - improving your chances of seeing these special creatures up close.

MEMBERS’ SEMINARLate August - see website.Keep an eye on our website, or sign up for monthly eNews, to hear when the date and topic are confirmed for this sure-to-be-fascinating seminar. Free for members. Gold goin donation for guests.

QUIZ EVENINGSeptember. Date and venue to be announced - see website.Our annual quiz and auction evening is a terrific way to help us raise funds for day-to-day operations. You can enter a team of 8 or as an individual. The evening is run by dedicated volunteers - can you help us seek sponsors and donations? Contact Nancy.McIntosh-Ward@visitzealandia.com for more information.

AGM: ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF KARORI SANCTUARY TRUST21 October. 4.30pm. Zealandia Visitor Centre.All members are invited to the Annual Meeting of Karori Sanctuary Trust.

“BURSTING WITH LIFE” THIS SPRING AT ZEALANDIA!6-7 October. Zealandia.Join us for a special spring-themed guided tour (at 1pm), let the kids take you on a spring clue hunt and taste the fresh Spring menu at Rata. Take part in interesting activities at Zealandia as we welcome back the warmer weather! In participation with the Positively Wellington Spring Festival.

UPCOMING EVENTS WINTER/SPRING 2012

$10 EXHIBITION-ONLY DEALAll through July and AugustLearn about NZ’s unique history and conservation movement, whatever the weather!

RATA CAFÉ Eat. Drink. Support our wildlife.

Members receive a 10% discount at Rata. Why not enjoy lunch with a glass of CarboNZero Kaimira wine or perhaps book a High Tea at Wellington’s “café with a view”.

We only use free-range chicken and eggs, organic milk and coffee and our fruit and veggies are seasonal and locally-sourced wherever possible, All our packaging is biodegradable and even our cleaning products are friendly to the environment!

REGULAR ACTIVITIESFREE with admission!

TELL YOUR FRIENDS...

KIDS’ NIGHT ADVENTURESTue/Wed/Thur both weeks. Back by popular demand! A special after-dark forest expedition, for 7 to 12 year olds. Booking essential. $15/child (aged 7-12 years)$30/adult (all children accompanied by an adult) Booking essential. www.visitzealandia.com/kidsnightadventures

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS - JULY AND OCTOBER

www.visitzealandia.com/events for the latest news and events.Or email us to sign up for free monthly e-newsletters.

Zealandia: The Karori Sanctuary Experience 31 Waiapu Road, Karori, PO Box 9267, Wellington.Tel: 04 920 9200Email: info@visitzealandia.com

Paper: FSC Certified, ISO 14001 & EMAS accredited.

$10 STUDENT TUESDAYSAll year. General Admission with valid ID.

Meet new mums and dads, Wednesdays 10:30am. Members: Free. Non-members: $10.

BUGGIES GO BUSH

• “Walk & Talk” tours with our Ranger Guides. Leaving from the pontoon: Weekdays: 11:15 & 1:15. Weekends: 11:15, 12:15, 1:15 & 2:15.

• Feeding talks: 12:15 kakariki, 1:15 takahe, 2:15 kaka, 3:15 tuna/eels.• Boat rides across the lower lake, weekends (subject to availability, gold coin donation).• Morning Star mine and cave weta, weekends (subject to availability).

JUNIOR RANGERSTue/Wed/Thur both weeks. Fun and educational full/half-day programmes for 5-12 year olds.

Enjoy a special day in our 500-year journey! Zealandia now runs a unique holiday programme for children aged 5-12 years in the April, July and October school holidays.

$30 - $65. Booking essential. www.visitzealandia.com/juniorrangers