There are lots of people in the Whangarei Heads involved in landcare doing heaps of projects.
The Whangarei Heads Landcare Forum (WHLF) provides the platform to help a number of these projects access wider funding while maintaining the focus of their projects where it matters most – in their ‘back yards’. WHLF is a registered incorporated society with charitable status that is responsible for financial management, reporting and information transfer within the WHLF. Keeping everyone in touch with what is going on is also really important – sharing of information, ideas and enthusiasm is facilitated by the regular meetings of the WHLF.
If you’re interested in helping out, contact information is provided below. You can also just email us at info@backyardkiwi.org.nz
Taurikura Ridge Possum and Predator Control project
Objective: Predator Control; Whangarei Heads Peninsula
Project 2007: 120ha – Taurikura Ridge
Project 2008: ~ 1300ha – Bream Head to Ody/Robinson Road
Contact: Martin Hunt – 434 0117 o.flowers@growinginnovation.com
Papakarahi Landcare Group
Objective: restoration on the Nook Peninsula
Projects: possum and predator control; a nursery, producing plants for the peninsula and to be donated to other projects; weed control.
Contact: Mary Smith – 436 1061
Taiharuru Catchment Care Group
Objective: maintaining the health of the Taiharuru estuary.
Projects: ecological plan of the area; a nursery growing plants for estuarine margins; development of a reserve at the water’s edge; possum and predator control.
Contact: Ros Cole-Baker – 436 1959
Whangarei Heads Weed Control project
Objective: tackling weeds such as wild ginger, mothplant and eleagnus.
Projects: Ongoing weed control with Task Force Green and Community workers; developing alternative weed control model with the Northland Regional Council.
Contact: Peter Harding – 434 0199
Taiharuru Conservation Area
Objective: Restoration of the wetland and stream that lead into the Taiharuru Estuary, and revegetation of bush in various areas on the Northern flank of Kauri Mountain.
Projects: successful possum blitz on Kauri Mountain; revegetation from the group’s nursery.
Contact: Juliet Langley – 436 1788
Kiteone Rd Landcare
Objective: encourage restoration and use of reserve areas around Kiteone Rd.
Projects: working bees to get rid of weeds, replanting, and dead macrocarpa and pine trees; working with District Council to upgrade tracks.
Contact: Moira Pagan – 436 4445
Darch Point Landcare
Objective: weed control
Projects: weed control; regeneration of native plants
Contact: Trish Mortimer – 434 0601
Backyard Kiwi
Objective: Kiwi recovery
Projects: trapping, kiwi monitoring, community engagement
Contact: Todd Hamilton – 974 8160
Other organizations involved in the Whangarei Heads environment:
Whangarei Heads Citizens Association: Among their many projects they support the weed control work of Peter Harding and the other initiatives in the area, environmental campaign partner with the Urquharts Bay Association Inc.
The Bream Head Conservation Trust: Aims to restore the ecology of the DOC reserve, preserve its historical and archeological features, and enhance its recreational and educational potential. Its emphasis is on re-vegetation projects around the area. (www.breamheadtrust.org.nz)
Urquharts Bay Association Inc: Protection and restoration, environmental campaigns – aquaculture, coal fired power stations.
Department of Conservation: Ongoing protection and restoration of the Manaia and Bream Head reserves. (www.doc.govt.nz )
Friends of Matakohe Limestone Island: Island restoration, including weed and pest control, maintenance of a kiwi crèche, reinstroduction of species and revegetation. (www.limestoneisland.govt.nz)
Many more individuals and groups of neighbours are working to care for their land out at Whangarei Heads, from possum eradication around Reotahi to weed control at Ocean Beach and kiwi listening down Ody Road.
We are very lucky to have so many active and committed people in the area. If you have a project underway, we are interested in hearing from you.
