An Adventure with a Purpose

I took part in a programme in 2013-2014 that brought falcons into the CBD of Rotorua, New Zealand. The programme was called 'On the Wing' an urban release of the endemic New Zealand Falcon or karearea. I was so excited to play a part in protecting this majestic creature. I am going to use the word karearea in this post, because it sounds beautiful when pronounced in Maori.

Tama Snacking
Image Supplied

In 2013 we had a bit of training, and this was done as a group at the Rotorua Museum. One of the speakers at that training session was Debbie Stewart, the director of Wingspan, and I was amazed at her dedication to the conservation of birds of prey in New Zealand. The roster was explained and I chose the first shift of the day from 6.00 to 8.00am every Thursday. At each shift we were paired up with another person. Our tasks were to put food out for the karearea on the feeding platforms, fill in data sheets and monitor the karearea.

Maureen & Hatupatu
Image supplied

I liked monitoring the birds. My partner and I would walk around the Government Gardens and sometimes beyond, armed with an aerial, a telemetry receiver, a pair of binoculars, a camera and data sheets. During this time (often half in darkness) we were able to see the birds in action. At that time of the morning there wasn't a great deal of movement, and often it came from the top of the museum. It was one of the best times of the day to take photos. I felt like David Attenborough.

Image supplied

At first the karearea didn't have names and we called them by the colour of the bands on their legs, orange (who was later called Te Rangi Rere I Waho aka Maureen), green (Tamatekapua aka Tama) and white (Hatupatu).

Maureen Snacking
Image supplied

The karearea found it hard to get from the ground back up to the roof of the museum when they were learning to fly, but they would try again and again until they did. They would fly back up in stages, from the ground to a low window ledge, then to a higher window ledge, to a turrett and over to their box.

Image supplied

One particular time, I was standing in front of the museum when two of the karearea flew past me at about the level of my knees. It was amazing. They flew by so closely and quickly that I could feel the wind displacement as they beat their wings. They fly so close to the ground and their wing beat is fast. They play quite a bit and once they looked like they were playing a game similar to the human game of tag.

Maureen and Hatupatu Hanging Out
Image supplied

Their favourite places are playing on the bowling green, sitting in the palm trees in front of the museum and watching from the trees at the back of the museum and in front of the nursery.

Keeping Watch
Image supplied

This is the most fascinating project I have been involved in. Watching these awesome creatures develop and grow has been a privilege.

Hatupatu and Maureen on one of the Feeding Platforms
Image supplied

This post was written by Ani Sharland

Operation Nest Egg at Rainbow Springs

In 1995 Rainbow and Fairy Springs joined the Operation Nest Egg programme, which is designed to protect and grow the kiwi population. Kiwi eggs and chicks are removed from the wild by Department of Conservation staff and are hatched and/or raised in captivity until they are big enough to fend for themselves.

The first egg came to Rainbow Springs from the Tongariro Forest Kiwi Sanctuary in November 1995.

The egg hatched on 2nd January 1996 and was named Te Aukaha. The chick was released on 20th January 1997.

About 95 percent of newly hatched chicks do no survive in the wild due to attacks from predators, which is why the work carried out by Operation Nest Egg is crucial.

Carole Harvey with new kiwi chick. Source: Rotorua Daily Post, Friday 14 December 2001, p. 3. Photographer: Tracey Scott

Hatching an egg

Firstly it is important to remove the egg at the right time. If the egg is collected too soon it may not hatch. Eggs should be at least 25 days old. If the egg is less than 10 days old, it has only a 1 percent chance of hatching. If the egg is between 10 and 20 days old the chance of a successful hatching is 20 percent. If the the egg is 30 days old, success is 75 percent, and by 70 days the chance of hatching is 90 percent.

The issue though is that if the egg is left too late predators or environment factors, such as flooding may have got the egg, which is why timing is so important.

Once collected the eggs are artificially incubated and once hatched the chicks are hand-raised. The chick spend approximately 3 weeks indoors in a brooder box before being placed in an outdoor enclosure that resembles a forest environment. At this point the kiwi will begin to learn to look after themselves.

Kiwis were usually returned to the wild after 6 to 10 months when they weighed around 1.2 kg. Once a chick reaches 1 kg they are usually large enough to defend themselves against predators.

Predator - a stoat on display at Rotorua Library, September 2019

A success story

Last year the 1800th kiwi chick hatched at Rainbow Springs was born on October 6th. There have been many success stories over the years.

In 2004, Kiwi Encounter opened at Rainbow Springs, which was an extension of the Operation Nest Egg Programme. Today the National Kiwi Hatchery operates at Rainbow Springs, it is the largest kiwi hatching facility in New Zealand.

Click here to learn more about the National Kiwi Hatchery located at Rainbow Springs.

To learn more about the Operation Nest Egg programme visit the Kiwis for Kiwi website.


This post was written by Graeme. Thanks to National Kiwi Hatchery, Kiwis for kiwi (The Kiwi Trust), and the Rotorua Daily Post.

Conservation Week series #2 featuring the North Island Kokako

Kaharoa Kokako Trust  (KKT) 1996-

The trust was initiated by Kaharoa residents, Peter Davey and Rachel Vellinga after learning of the declining population of Kokako in the area. Ecologist Carmel Richardson studied the Kaharoa Conservation Area, also known as Aislabie’s Block, Rotoehu and Mapara on contract from Dept. of Conservation.  Her work showed a marked decline in Kokako numbers due to introduced predators.

A Dept. of Conservation bid for funding to restart management in the area failed, this led to Peter and Rachel investigating options to assist. A group of interested people put together a proposal for volunteers to carry out pest control. This group decided to form a charitable trust as a guarantee that any donations would be used wisely and would be tax deductible. Thus the Kaharoa Kokako Trust was born.

Aislabie’s block is accessed off Kapukapu Road, via Kaharoa Road, it is bounded by three streams.   It was purchased by the Crown in 1984 to set aside as a reserve.  A Research by Management Experiment took place between 1990-1997 of Kokako populations at Kaharoa, Rotoehu and Mapara.

Predator control took place for 3 years at Kaharoa, no controls in Rotoehu then the pest controls were rotated for a further 3 years, and during this time the Mapara Block was not touched.  The study showed that the introduced predators of rats and possums were the greatest threat to the Kokako birds in these areas.  Pest eradication was proven to be the best method of ensuring Kokako do not become extinct in the region.

The KKT then sought funding to purchase 130 bait stations which volunteers would place throughout the Kaharoa Reserve. Monitoring of the bait stations would be handled jointly by volunteers and DoC workers. 

Free Shutterstock Photo from Pixabay

Highlights of the next 20 years : 

• In 1997 180 Bait stations are distributed throughout Kaharoa Reserve with help from Department of Conservation (DoC).
• Trustees for the KKT were appointed. A Trust Deed was formalised and sponsorship sought.
• Funding is sourced from a State Insurance funding pool. A Census of  the Kokako population shows encouraging results.
• New tracks are constructed to extend the area for the bait network.  
• DoC gets funding towards an adult bird census in the reserve.
• Trust thanks major sponsors Fletcher Challenge Forests Ltd. Environment Bay of Plenty (EBOP) , J & K Mathis, Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust (RECT) , DoC through a Threatened Species Trust.
• A new area added to the control programme at Onaia Ecological Area.
• A shelter & Interpretation panels are installed at the end of Kapukapu Road.
• Kokako chicks were translocated from Kaharoa to the Hamilton Zoo for rearing and from there released on Maumia (Lady Alice Island) a predator free island. 
• A five year plan is formalised with help from DoC.
• In 2005 the Trust wins an award at the 2^nd Annual Bay of Plenty DoC environment awards.
• In 2006 the Trust wins awards from the Rotorua District Council Community Awards, Trustpower spirit of Rotorua Award and a Green Ribbon Award.
• More funding is received from the EBOP Environment Enhancement Fund. A new census of adult birds is planned.
• In 2007 the census shows a substantial increase in adult bird numbers in the Kaharoa Reserve.
• 10 Years Anniversary of the Trust is celebrated.
• Kokako Nest Egg investment fund is set up to manage fund raising efforts.
• Translocation of Kokako to Mokoia Island is planned.
• A Kokako banner is installed opposite the police station on Fenton Street. 
• In 2008 DoC agrees to handle all training for Controlled Substances Licences so that volunteers can handle the bait’s
• Funding is received with gratitude from the ‘Birdlife International’ fund and a grant from the NZ  Royal Forest and Bird Soc.
• A new gazebo is funded for the Trust by RECT. Local business Essential Nutrition Ltd offers bags of fertiliser VEGEMIN for a fundraiser.
• A 4x4 Bike is loaned to the Trust from DoC making access into the reserve easier.
• After 10 years work in the Kaharoa Reserve a survey of bordering private properties shows the Kokako are moving into those areas as well.  The Trust willingly works with property owners to manage pest control.
• Funding from the Lion Foundation is received which enables the Trust to employ a pest control contractor to work in the Onaia East Block.
• Trust thanks regular sponsors and new sponsors First Sovereign Trust and Epro Ltd.
• Conservation Minister, Mrs Steve Chadwick visits the reserve. A special bush walk & BBQ is held to celebrate the 10^th Year of the Trust and it’s achievements.
• New easy to follow GPS maps of the tracks and bait lines, is done by GIS expert Damien Jones with thanks to First Sovereign Trust for the funding.
• P.F. Olsen removes pines in the area to allow the native bush to regenerate.
• DoC translocated Kaharoa Kokako to Fiordland’s Secretary Island in an effort to restore Kokako to the South Island. Kokako have been extinct there for many years.
• Kaharoa School students provide Weta Motels in the reserve; this is a special project which will benefit the ecosystem and give an indication of how it is functioning.
• In 2010 the national Kokako Recovery Group willingly offer advice on pest eradication measures that have proved successful elsewhere in NZ.
• Trust wins the Supreme Award in The Green Ribbon Awards round in 2010.
• Kokako are translocated to the Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust from both Kaharoa and Rotoehu populations.
• Minister for the Environment, Nick Smith makes time to visit the Kaharoa Reserve.
• In 2011 a new supporter Blacktop Construction Ltd provides gravel for track maintenance.
• RECT funds a Kokako Display at the Kaharoa School. A giant Kokako Nest designed by Bruno Schlatter is installed with help from local families.
• P.F. Olsen signs on as a major sponsor.
• ‘Call of the Kokako” a children’s book by Maria Gill is released.
• Christchurch based clothing company Chalkydigits, designed a beautiful heart shaped Kokako badge from which the proceeds of the sales will be given to the Trust’s Kokako Nest Egg Fund. They raised $17,000 over the year.
• Designer Sid Marsh crafts a Kokako image, to be printed on t-shirts for sale through the Trust.
• A regional commendation is received from the TrustPower Awards, in the Heritage and Enviroment category.
• Kokako continue to spread across the region and new populations have been sighted at a Mangorewa Private Bush Area.
• The Trust launches a Facebook page.
• Biosecurity managers from Regional Council’s across NZ make a visit to the Kaharoa Reserve.
• HeliPro joins in the fight to save the Kokako.
• A Kapukapu Reserve draft pest control initiative is mooted.
• HeliResources a Murupara based business offers to deliver bait into the operation sites.
• Rotorua YHA loyal supporters visit Kaharoa Reserve.
• A new look website is designed for the Trust with thanks to P.F. Olsen, EBOP Regional Council and the designers Fineline Creative.
• In 2014 a new census of the reserves begins. Local Sunrise Rotary Club donates to the cause.
• In 2014 the national Conservation Week focuses on the Kokako and the efforts of locals with a display in the Rotorua Library and a Trustee Tim Day slot on MoreFM programme.
• In 2016 the Trust celebrated the results of the latest Kokako census.
• New Zealand’s new $50 note has the Kokako on it.
• More Kaharoa birds are translocated to Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust. 

With thanks to the Rotorua Library, Community Newsletter Collection for the above information.

For more community news and group newsletters visit the Don Stafford Room Heritage Collection on the 2nd Floor.

For more information, recent updates, and opportunities to support the Kaharoa Kokako Trust go to their website here  There is also a useful and detailed article in the New Zealand Geographic magazine site here 

This blog post is by Alison.

Conservation Week 14 - 22 September 2019

History of Conservation Week

Conservation Week was originally launched by the New Zealand Scout Association in 1969. This was done with the goal of promoting interest in the environment and encouraging the public to be able to learn practical ways in which they could participate.

Later the Nature Conservation Council took over the campaigns with educational resources provided  by Post Office Savings Bank, Caltex Oil New Zealand and the Todd Foundation.

In 1987 the Department of Conservation was formed and they then took over the promotion of Conservation Week, working with groups, businesses and councils. Many poster, badges and bookmarks were produced over these years. See here for more information about the history of Conservation Week 

Community Events in Rotorua 

Kiwi aversion training for dogs 

This will be held at the Blue Lake, Saturday 14 September, 9-4, $25

Thanks to Department of Conservation and photographer Erin Patterson

Small efforts worthwhile results

Steve is restoring the native bush reserve behind his property at Millar Road, Lake Okareka, Saturday 14 September, 9-11.30

Let's get planting

Department of Conservation Office, 99 Sala Street, Monday 16, Tuesday 17 and Thursday 19 September, 8-3.30

Thanks to Department of Conservation

Sulphur Point Lakeside Clean-Up

Sudima Hotel, Wednesday 18 September 1 - 3 pm

Thanks to Sudima Hotel

Te Arawa Catfish Killas and Bay of Plenty Regional Council

A talk about the Arawa project to rid the lakes of catfish will be held at the Library, Thursday 19 September, 6.30-7.15 pm

Thanks to Abby Tozer and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council

Nocturnal by nature

Looking and listening for nocturnal creatures at Okere Falls Scenic Reserve Trout Pool Road, Saturday 14 September, 6.30-8.30 pm

Thanks to Department of Conservation and photographer Catherine Noble

Photo Competition

This is open to all living or studying in the Bay of Plenty. There are 3 categories; Scenery, NZ creatures and critters, and People in the outdoors

Thanks to Department of Conservation

Further details and reservation for any of the above events may be found here

Events in the Library

Workshops

Displays in the Library

There will be displays in two areas of Te Akara Mauri, Rotorua Library. On the ground floor will be a display of endangered birds. and on the 2nd floor the display will consist of pests that threaten our native species of both birds and small animals.

This blog was written by Trish. With thanks to Department of Conservation,  Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Sudima Hotel.

Runaway Millionaires

Last night Runaway Millionaires screened on TVNZ 1. The Sunday Night Theatre telefeature told the true story of former Rotorua couple Leo Gao and Kara Hurring who fled the country after accidentally receiving a $10 million overdraft.

The TVNZ drama written by Pip Hall and directed by Danny Mulheron starred Australian actor George Zhao as Gao and Jess Sayer as Hurring. Joel Tobeck also starred as Rotorua Detective Inspector Mark Loper.

While the majority of the production was filmed in Auckland the cast and crew were in Rotorua last November shooting location scenes for the production.

Accidental millionaires

On April 19th 2009 Gao applied for an overdraft of $100,000 for his BP service station business, which was located on the corner of Old Taupo and Otonga Roads. Two days later a Westpac employee made an error with a decimal point providing an overdraft of $10 million.

Between April 24th and May 4th funds totalling $6.7 million were withdrawn from the business account. Gao left New Zealand on April 29th and Hurring followed on May 3rd.

On May 5th Westpac learnt of their mistake. At the time Westpac was able to recover $2.9 million but around $3.8 million was missing. At the time of trial $3.3 million had not been recovered.

After the Rotorua Daily Post broke the story it was an event that received national and international media attention and spanned three years.

Rotorua Daily Post, Friday 22 May 2009, p. 1.

On February 25th 2011 Hurring returned to New Zealand voluntarily and was arrested at Auckland International Airport.

Gao was stopped in September 2011 by the Hong Kong border patrol when he tried to cross from mainland China to Hong Kong. He was arrested by members of Interpol. Gao did not oppose extradition and returned to New Zealand in December of that year.

In May 2012 Hurring plead not guilty to 25 counts of theft, three counts of attempting to dishonestly use a document and two counts of money laundering.

It took the jury less than an hour to find Hurring guilty of all charges after a 4 day trial at Rotorua District Court.

On June 12th Gao plead guilty to seven charges of theft.

On August 24th Gao was sentenced to four years and seven months in prison and Hurring served nine months home detention. Gao was released from prison after serving sixteen months.

Rotorua Daily Post, Saturday 19 May 2012, p. 1.

Rotorua Daily Post, Wednesday 13 June 2012, p. 5.

Rotorua Library staff member and former journalist Abigail Hartevelt broke the story for the Rotorua Daily Post. Abigail kindly shared her memories covering the story with us.

How did you first become aware of the story?
As a journalist and now a former journalist I can't possibly reveal my sources. I remember the first week or two after the story broke was absolutely crazy trying to get a story every day with a new angle.

When you first reported the story in May 2009 both Westpac and the Police were not forthcoming with information. How did this affect you and your colleagues reporting?
I guess as a journalist it was frustrating but they were there to do their jobs and we were there to do ours.

After the Rotorua Daily Post reported the story other media organisation would have descended on Rotorua. Can you describe this experience?
Descend on Rotorua they certainly did. Oh my word it was pretty full on but how could they not. Have you ever heard of anyone getting $10 million accidentally deposited into their bank account? This story attracted local, national and international media attention.

What were your memories of covering the court cases for Leo Gao and Kara Hurring?
I remember there was a lot of media. Media sat at the press bench but also in the public gallery and even the jury box during Leo Gao's court appearances. I might add there was no jury needed in Leo's case as he pleaded guilty to the charges. I remember having to go live to be interviewed on BBC World after the pair were sentenced and thinking I was going to be sick. I hate being on TV. I have been caught up in a number of media scrums and I remember nearly falling over a sandwich board outside the Pig and Whistle as we followed Kara Hurring during her trial. At least I didn't actually fall over like I did at the end of another high profile court case. But that's a whole other story.

The Editor of the Rotorua Daily Post published an editorial on the Saturday after the story broke leading with the line: 'It's the kind of story that Hollywood movies are made of.' Did you ever think that this story would make it to the screen?
I'm surprised it has taken this long to be made into a movie.


This blog post was written by Graeme. Thanks to Abigail Hartevelt and the Daily Post.