Mt. Hiwi Trust News and Events Diary

We welcome enquiries regarding membership or joint membership:
please ring 025 2771 670.
Write to:
Mount Hiwi Charitable Trust, P O Box 11, Waverley or
info@mt-hiwi.org.nz

WHATS BEEN HAPPENING???

2006

April
We've received the fencing permit APPLICATION. In discussion with Apex (STDC's consultants for roading work) it appears we just need to sign and return the application - which is what's happening as i type (Richard)

February .... an email from the Taranaki Kiwi Trust

Hi everyone,

Good news; kiwi have been confirmed as occurring at Mt Hiwi
I took out Rowan from the Mt Hiwi Trust on Monday night for a kiwi survey in there.
Between 10pm and 2am (on listening sites) we heard two males and two females within the 300 odd ha property (we covered approx. 2/3's of it in listening coverage). There were a further two possible males, and another possible female, although they were a bit sketchy. So that's four to seven kiwi known to be present!

Directly opposite to where we stayed, 3km south (the log cabin) we heard another two males on the farm there.

I still need to make a map and put in the records etc for this survey - will come in due course. Just thought you might all like to know!

The TKT and the Mt Hiwi Trust are now talking about potential trapping work at the site. They currently have 30 traps over a 2km ridge-track, which will be spaced out further. Another 20 to 30 traps will be made over the coming months by them as well. The TKT¹s new Community Kiwi Programme will make traps freely available to projects like this around Taranaki. The question is now, can the Mt Hiwi Trust commit to the trap checking regime? It is likely they will fund raise to cover trap-checking expenses by a contractor ­ ultimately.

These guys could use a hand with any locally based trappers ­ voluntary at this stage. Anyone know anyone locally in Wanganui/Waverley who might be interested? Please let Rowan via this website - info@mt-hiwi.org.nz

Good on you Rowan for driving the trapping work! Will be in touch.

Cheers
Cees


Cees Bevers
Technical Adviser
*Taranaki Kiwi Trust*
P.O.Box 867, New Plymouth
email: info@taranakikiwi.org.nz
www.taranakikiwi.org.nz

**The Taranaki Kiwi Trust is generously supported by the Taranaki Electricity Trust and the TSB Community Trust.**


2005
Ongoing trapping throughout the year! Still progressing with fencing plans. Meanwhile the land moves through the natural cycles of the seasons safe from interference at large.

2004

November
More trapping is happening all the time. Also, we are continuing to work on our fencing. Many thanks to all our supporters.

October
Well spring is truly upon us. As the weather turns - so does the possiblities of spending more time on the Land. We are hoping to take a trip to the land...details follow:

***There is to be a visit to Mt-Hiwi, dependant upon enough people being interested!***

As some may be aware, Michelle hopes to coordinate a trial of a "forest monitoring and assessment kit" (FORMAK).
The intention is to try the kit out to see if it is worth the Trust purchasing one. All are welcome for the tryout, with the idea being for as many people as possible to become adept at monitoring.

The trial is to be carried out on the property over labour weekend

Would all those interested please CONTACT Michelle on info@mt-hiwi.org.nz

This will also be a great opportunity for Trust members to catch up, to see the property, check out the traps that have been placed, and to soak up some great bush.

Details about the kit can be viewed on http://www.formak.co.nz

***AGM planned***

Hi all

It's (past) time for another AGM.

When: Tuesday 19 October 2004
Time: 7pm
Venue: to be announced (but will be in Wellington)

Regards

Richard


September

23/9/05 - email from our Chairperson: Bruce phoned this morning to say that the last check of the traps found 2
stoats and 8 rats!
Take that ya vermin! R.

Well its been a great year for the Trust. Writing to you from early September, we have currently got 40 traps on the land for rats, stoats etc. Many thanks to volunteers and trust members for taking their time and energy (hard walking) to set these traps and to check them.

We are moving closer to fence building and people have been working hard for the past 2 years to make this possible. We have funding approved for a deer fence so its coming together.

Our resident hunter has been on the land a few times - and recently got 6 goats. We will be working towards regular visits to try and keep the goat population down.

There have been a few slips through the land due to the wild weather we have been experiencing. But this is part of the natural order. People accessing the land have found it hard going, and the tracks are often overgrown with trees across them, making visits a bit of a challenge. However, its wonderful to see nature at her wild best!

So, the land is doing well and we are starting to manage the pests in a more aggressive manner. We are also closer to fence building. The covenent should be underway in the next few months. Things do seem to take time but be assured - there are many people working hard in the background.