Ruahine Whio Protectors Collective Annual Hui -                                                                        River Valley Lodge 20-21 August 2022

There was an excellent turnout for the annual RWP Collective's hui held in August at the lovely River Valley Lodge, right beside the Rangitikei River. For the first time we extended the invitation to those involved with Kiwi Conservation in the Ruahines. Groups represented included Aorangi O Awarua Trust, volunteer led trapping projects, Save the Kiwi, Cape Sanctuary, DOC, Good Nature and two Jobs for Nature projects. Thanks to everyone who attended and made the meeting successful - it was great to see some new faces and feel the passion for the Whio and Kiwi. Special thanks to the team at River Valley for making us so welcome and for the fabulous food, accommodation and the new meeting room.. Thanks also to the volunteers who came at their own expense and to DOC for providing a subsidy that offset some of the volunteers meal expenses.

Whio in the Manawatu Gorge Local kayaker Harley Betts recently spotted a lone WHIO in the river below the Manawatu Gorge (yes - that is the road between Manawatu and Hawkes Bay) in the vicinity of the large slip (yes the one that closed the road!) Where has it come from and where is it going to? Maybe another lone bird heading for the Tararuas?

WHIO AT CENTRE CREEK POHANGINA
Hunters recently spotted a pair of whio near Centre Creek - well down the Pohangina River and getting closer to the park Boundary. I am not aware of a sighting that far down the river for many years now.
A24s DAMAGED BY POSSUMS
Slightly old news now as this one made it to TV3. Clever possums have worked out how to get the new "chirp" caps off the A24's to get to the lure! Read more in Anthony Behrens project update.
SKINK SIGHTINGS OVER SUMMER
Peter Bird (DOC) and some hunters have reported seeing skinks over the summer - maybe the very hot weather brought them out more. Read on to see more from Pete.

There was plenty of talk and
presentations.  Much has been going on since we last met
including 2 projects starting up on the eastern side of the Ruahines -read on to learn more.  If you would like to see the record of the meeting let me know.

This project in the northern Ruahine range aims to support wildlife recovery in both the back country and front country - along the forest park-farmland boundaries and streams that flow from the Ruahine.  The vision is to further protect the wildlife, expanding the traplines as juveniles fledge into unprotected stream catchment areas.  A major part of the vision is to reconnect Maori, both hapu and rangitane members back to the whenua.  The link takes you to the Mauri Oho website.

A bunch of well scrubbed up fellow trappers with Janet, Dame Patsy Reddy and Sir David Gascoigne to receive her QSM at Government House.

Professor Carolyn King is New Zealand's foremost and a world authority on the ecology of mustelids.  The link is to her being interviewed by Jesse Mulligan on RNZ National on the 18 May.
 
www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018746935/expert-feature-professor-carolyn-king-invasive-mammals

17 February,  Jesse Mulligan interviewed Lisa and Geoff Whittle about their trapping in the northern Ruahines on his RNZ National afternoon programme.  To listen to it, click on the link.    www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018734487/trapping-in-the-ruahine-ranges