21 September 2024, Auckland, New Zealand - Participants from the Pacific region who attended the week-long Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS) study tour in Auckland from September 16 to 24 expressed their appreciation and excitement as they enhanced their understanding of best practices in pest management and restoration efforts in New Zealand through various field visits.
The study tour included several field trips that allowed participants to observe best practices in invasive species management and consider how these could be applied in their own countries and territories. The trips highlighted successful pest eradication and weed management initiatives.
The Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) Invasive Species Adviser, Mr. David Moverley commented, “the first Pacific study tour to these sites was in 2015 which was nine years ago now.”
“Visits such as these are important so that Pacific Battlers can see with their own eye’s the outcomes from sustained management of invasive species in natural environments and learn about novel methods and techniques. Relating these success stories to their own situations and local contexts hopefully contributes to the vision that they have back home or how they can best achieve their goals.”
One of the key sites visited was Tiritiri Matangi, a pest-free island and scientific nature reserve. This visit provided participants with insights into eradication and inter-island biosecurity efforts necessary to maintain the island’s pest-free status.
Located three kilometers from the mainland, Tiritiri Matangi benefits from the natural barrier of the Tiri channel, which helps keep predators at bay. The 22-hectare island has become a thriving sanctuary for wildlife, with species also being transferred to other emerging sanctuaries over the years.
Tiritiri Matangi is renowned for its biodiversity and conservation efforts, rich in both Māori and European history. The island is managed by the New Zealand Department of Conservation in partnership with the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi, a dedicated volunteer group. Since 1993, ongoing initiatives have kept the island free of rats and other pests, allowing threatened native birds like the takahē, kiwi pukupuku, little spotted kiwi, and kōkako to thrive. The island is also home to tuatara, wetapunga, and various native lizards.
Participants found the visit to Tiritiri Matangi highly informative and motivating. One participant noted, “The field trip to Tiritiri Matangi was invaluable, providing insights into predator-free success and community-based conservation efforts, which are among the world’s most successful.”
In addition to Tiritiri Matangi, the Pacific battlers visited Le Roys Bush and Kauri Glen Reserve, both of which have undergone restoration to remove invasive species and replant native flora.
Le Roys Bush, located between Birkenhead and Northcote on Auckland’s North Shore, is known for its lush native bush and picturesque waterfall. The reserve, which also includes Little Shoal Bay and Lutners Reserves, has a rich history and has been the focus of extensive weed and pest control efforts. Local volunteers and various agencies have worked together to clear invasive species and maintain the area’s natural beauty.
Le Roys Bush, is subject to various invasive species, including both weeds and animals which have been managed over several decades. Earlier works followed the Forest Restoration Framework which is now implemented through the PRISMSS Resilient Ecosystems-Resilient Communities (RERC) programme in the Pacific region.
Infiltration of invasive plants has been tackled by the Le Roys Bush Management Committee and contractors supported by grants from the Auckland Regional Council, the Kaipatiki Local Board and the Birkenhead Licensing Trust. Rats and other predators are controlled by contractors within the reserve and by Beyond the Fence volunteers in the halo around the reserve. There are also several collaborative projects with landowners neighbouring the reserve to assist with the upkeep.
Participants visited the Kauri Glen Reserve, also in Northcote, which features towering kauri trees and several walking tracks, including the Kauri Glen Treetops Loop Walk which includes efforts to combat kauri dieback disease by including shoe cleaning stations at reserve entrances. The reserve is home to mature kauri and tānekaha trees, some of which are between 300 and 400 years old, as well as the Waiurutoa Stream and various native birds and plants.
The Kauri trees play a crucial role in their ecosystems as they modify the soil under their canopy, creating unique plant communities. For the Māori, kauri trees are highly significant as the timber was used for building canoes and houses, while the gum was used for fire-starting and chewing. Kauri forests have been heavily logged in the past, but now they are protected. However, they face continued threats from kauri dieback disease.
Participants were inspired by the collaborative efforts of volunteers, public agencies, and local communities in managing invasive species and protecting these natural areas.
One participant remarked, “Seeing how volunteers and the public work together with agencies to protect the reserve reaffirms that we need community engagement to manage invasive species effectively”.
The study tour brought together invasive species management professionals and practitioners from across the Pacific region to share and learn from their successes, identify possible sustainable solutions to challenges, expand their knowledge and establish meaningful connections.
The regional study tour was made possible with funding support from the Global Environment Facility funded GEF 6 Regional Invasives Project, the European Union funded PROTEGE project, the New Zealand Government funded PRISMSS-Restoring Island Resilience project and supported by SPREP through PRISMSS.
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About PRISMSS: The Pacific Regional Invasive Species Management Support Service (PRISMSS) is a coordinating mechanism designed to facilitate the scaling up of operational management of invasive species in the Pacific. PRISMSS brings together experts to provide support within the Pacific region with a focus on protection of indigenous biodiversity and ecosystem function. As a service provider, PRISMSS provides a comprehensive suite of support services in a cohesive, effective, efficient, and accessible manner to Pacific Island countries and territories.
For further information please contact Mr Nitish Narayan, PRISMSS Communications & Liaison Officer on [email protected]