The Harataunga Kiwi Project is managed by Parekura White, on behalf of the Harataunga Marae, and began in July 2005.  It is possible thanks to members of Ngati Porou ki Harataunga agreeing to allow the project to proceed on their ancestral lands.

Six people are actively involved in the work.

The Harataunga Kiwi Project aims to increase:

• Survival rates of kiwi chicks and reintroduce kiwi chicks to Kennedy Bay
• Iwi and public awareness of Kennedy Bay’s kiwi
• The participation of Ngati Porou ki Harataunga in conservation matters within its tribal area of Kennedy Bay

Size of Area under Protection

The area covered by the Harataunga Kiwi project is approximately 5000 hectares, at the southern border of the Moehau Environment Group’s kiwi zone.  Parekura hopes that, once the Harataunga Kiwi Project is fully up and running, that he can encourage neighbours to the south to also manage kiwi conservation on their lands, and so extend the kiwi zone further down the peninsula.

Biggest Challenge

Because the project is committed to involving local residents, it has worked to provide them with the skills they need to cut tracks, do animal pest control and restore native species.

To that end, Parekura has arranged for training in reading compasses and GPS equipment, doing kiwi call surveys, quad bike training and the safe use of poisons.  All training is co-ordinated with the Department of Conservation and the Moehau Environment Group.

Currently, three workers are employed cutting tracks and setting stoat traps.

Biggest Successes

The biggest success of the Harataunga Kiwi Project has been to establish a three-way agreement between Ngati Porou ki Harataunga, the Department of Conservation and the Moehau Environment Group.  Together, the sanctuaries managed by these three groups provide continuous protection for kiwi over 30,000 hectares of land at the northern tip of the Coromandel Peninsula.

As part of the arrangement, the Harataunga Kiwi Project can access support and technical advice from the Department of Conservation (especially Pim de Monchy), and administrative support and advice from the Moehau Environment Group (especially Diane Prince).

Another success has been involving the Global Volunteers Network.  Following a formal powhiri (welcome), volunteers helped carry stoat traps into the project area.  During their stay at the Harataunga Marae, the volunteers were exposed to Maori culture and the tribal history of Harataunga.

The project has also increased local people’s awareness of the plight of kiwi on the Coromandel, and also the need to look after remaining native bush at Harataunga.

The first kiwi released at Harataunga

Funding

The Harataunga Kiwi Project has received $23,200 from the Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust, plus $12,000 from Environment Waikato to buy 340 stoat traps.

Parekura is applying for further funding for pest control specific to the kiwi project, plus funding for possum control from the Department of Conservation’s Nga Whenua Rahui funds.

“My whole vision is that I don’t want Harataunga to be the front line of pest control. Once we get our house in order, I want to knock on the doors of our neighbours and ask them to do their bit,” Parekura says.

The One Most Important Thing

Project Manager for the Harataunga Kiwi Project, Parekura White, believes the most important thing a new group should do is get buy in from landowners when the project begins.

Contact Details

If you would like to volunteer to help the Harataunga Kiwi Project, or would like further information, contact its Project Manager, Parekura White at:
Email: parekura@xtra.co.nz
Phone: 07 866 7655
Postal address: 1288 Kennedy Bay Road, Kennedy Bay, Coromandel