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April 28th, 2022

28/4/2022

News Flash(s)

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.

Kiwi confirmed at Maropea forks hut Trampers Carl Knight and Mike Parr, camping near the hut at Maropea Forks recently confirmed the presence of kiwi. “based upon sound and proximity of sounds (plural) that the male kiwi calls and scuffling/grazing sounds, I think got within three of meters of my bivi site.”

Dates for next whio collective hui August 20-21 River Valley Lodge - to those who regularly attend or if you are interested mark this in your diary.

February 17th, 2022

17/2/2022

Welcome to the 11th RW News - a slightly overdue update of what's new and what's been happening to help protect Whio in the Ruahines in recent times. Two new projects are underway on the Eastern side of the ranges so plenty of interest - I hope you find the time to enjoy catching up

The Ruahine Whio Protectors Collective held it's annual hui in late September. For the second year in a row we gathered at River Valley Lodge, east of Taihape right on the Rangitikei River. The date was later than usual, due to another Covid lockdown in August. We were again made very welcome at this lovely venue by Brian Megaw and his family. Whio are sometimes seen on the river nearby so we feel very much at home here. Thanks from everyone from the River Valley team for their excellent hospitality and wonderful food and to
everyone else who contributed by being there and making this meeting a success. It was a slightly smaller group than in recent times, due mostly to uncertainty over the dates and Covid. Once we had gathered we formed a Whio Whanau bubble and were able to take our masks off.

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.

February 17th, 2022

17/2/2022

Mauri Oho Project

12/11/2021

maurioho.nz/

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.

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

Trapping in the Apias

1/5/2020

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