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Takaka Hill community members restoring and protecting Takaka Hill ecosystems and indigenous biodiversity
About Us
Behind the Scenes
The Takaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust (THBGT) understand that Takaka Hill private land forms a corridor of a range of habitats between Kahurangi and Abel Tasman National Parks. Intensive predator control in the Flora stream area of Kahurangi has resulted in populations of endangered species such as kaka, kea and whio and has enabled roroa (Great Spotted Kiwi) to be re-established. Similarly, predator control by Project Janszoon in the Abel Tasman has enabled birds such as pateke (brown teal) to be re-introduced.
An equal response from the Takaka Hill community, means this private land corridor can in time extend the habitat for these unique birds and other native taonga benefiting as they spread out from the National Parks.
Community Led
The Trust is a a Takaka Hill community led and managed Charitable Trust that adheres to good governance, financial management and transparency. We believe that Takaka Hill community members through their shared knowledge and collective action can make a significant difference towards achieving New Zealand's indigenous biodiversity goals.
Thank you!
For Your Support
Takaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust at a Glance
Nature knows no boundaries
The Trust is driven by a single goal; to do our part in restoring Takaka Hill ecosystems and protecting New Zealand's indigenous species for our children, our grandchildren and future generations. Our decision-making process is informed by evidence-based information, best practice project management, operations planning, monitoring and data evaluation. We strive to build collaborative relationships and make a positive impact from all of our actions. The Trust has recently signed a Community Agreement with DOC Motueka to look after Hawkes Lookout in the Kahurangi National Park and to carry out ecosystem restoration and protection work on neighbouring Public Conservation Land (PCL) because 'Nature knows no boundaries'.
Trust landowner volunteers clearing, planting and weeding at Hawkes Lookout using equipment funded by the Network Tasman Trust
Goals
The Trust is committed to restoring and protecting indigenous biodiversity on Takaka Hill. The work we do is aimed at providing a collaborative approach to achieving New Zealand's biodiversity goals.
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Restore and protect Takaka Hill ecosystems
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Control predator and pest species
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Achieve biodiversity gains over the next 30 years
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Increase the density and abundance of Takaka Hill indigenous flora and fauna
Predator Control
National Park Predator HALO
With support from the 2020 DOC Community Conservation Fund, Lotteries Environment and Heritage fund, Ravensdown Ngarua Lime works and Project Janszoon we are deploying over 400 predator control traps as part of our Takaka Hill National Park Halo Project to:
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Increase the density and abundance of native forest birds
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Increase the density and abundance of native reptiles. The Takaka Hill may be a reptile stronghold due to the extensive karst scrub and shrub lands and the elevation supporting generally low levels of ship rat compared to the lowlands.
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Monitor the density and abundance of Powelliphanta hochstetteri
Pest Plant Control
Controlling Pest Plants on Takaka Hill
With our Trusts goals always in mind, we are working with Kaitiaki O Ngahere to develop a multi-year invasive weed control programme. With support from the 2019 DOC Community Conservation Fund, Kaitiaki carried out a pest plant survey on Takaka Hill private land that resulted in the Takaka Hill Pest Plant Management Strategy 2020-2040 and the Pest Plant Action Plan 2021-2025. A Rata Foundation grant in 2021 has 'kick started' the implementation of pest plants (excluding wilding pines). With a significant grant from the MPI funded Wilding Pine Community Partnership fund, Kaitiaki O Ngahere are controlling invasive pines species that left uncontrolled will irrevocably change the unique Takaka Hill limestone/marble karst ecosystems.
Contact us to learn more about our pest plant programme of work.
Sephora longicarinata
Native plants found growing on Takaka Hill
Working to Protect Global Biodiversity
Sophora longicarinata Limestone kowhai is at risk and is naturally uncommon, just one of the many unique species found on Takaka Hill which include:
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Limestone mahoe nationally listed as ‘at risk, naturally uncommon’
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Brachyglottis laxiflora is an NW Nelson endemic confined to marble and limestone
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Limestone three finger is very common on the marble scrub slopes, listed as ‘at risk, naturally uncommon’
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Limestone mahoe is nationally listed as ‘at risk, naturally uncommon’
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Greenhood orchid/ Pterostylis oliveri loves growing on marble
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Spider orchid/ Corybas amaranthus; Birdsnest orchid/ Chiloglottis cornuta
Adult Kea
Male Miromiro (Tomtit)
Toutouwai (South Island Robin)
Adult Kea
Photo's provided by Amanda Henderson & Norman Petereit
Kea and many other native birds make Takaka Hill their home
Reinforcing our Commitment to protecting Native Birds
With between 3000 and 7000 Kea left in NZ, the worlds only alpine parrot. Kea love nesting and hanging out together on Takaka Hill. But they are not the only birds found here there are also tui, korimako (bellbird), tauhou (silver eye) and kōtare (kingfisher), ruru (morepork), riroriro (grey warbler), pīwakawaka (fantail), kererū( wood pigeon), weka, toutouwai (South Island robin), miromiro (tomtit), pipipi (brown creeper), and kārearea (falcon) and parakeet (kākāriki)
Perhaps the most significant trend in biodiversity management since the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy was published has been the considerable growth in community based groups (and iwi) involved in community projects some of which are considerable.
Seeds of Change - Addressing New Zealand's Biodiversity Challenge Gerard Willis Enfocus December 2018
Takaka Hill community members, friends and students taking a break from surveying the Trusts Powelliphanta monitoring plot on the Takaka Hill Walkway.
Contact the Takaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust
We'd love to hear from you, get in touch to learn more about how you can support our work.
+64276794040