Millions of dollars to restore nature on private land

A kiwi crèche is among 139 projects on private land to benefit from $2.6m of funding announced today by Conservation Minister Chris Carter and Environment Minister Marian Hobbs.

The funding has come from the Government's biodiversity condition and advisory funds set up to help landowners and community groups restore and preserve New Zealand's unique species on private land.

"The grants we have been able make from these funds this year will make possible the control of predators and the restoration of habitats across 43,000 hectares all over the country," Mr Carter and Marian Hobbs said.

"The initiative shown by the people and organisations who have applied for these grants and the hard work that lies behind many of the projects demonstrates the depth of commitment to conservation in our country."

Foremost among the grants is $100,000 to help build a predator proof fence around the 98ha of Bushy Park in Wanganui. Construction of this fence will allow a large kiwi crèche to be developed in the area for use in Operation Nest Egg, the kiwi conservation programme.

Two of the largest grants go to Queen Elizabeth II Trust. One of up to $118,000 will help rebuild fences around covenanted conservation areas destroyed in the recent flooding in the lower North Island. Another grant of $383, 545, will pay for weed and pest control on covenanted properties.

"These grants, in particular, demonstrate again the Government's ongoing willingness to assist private landowners, including farmers, with weed and pest control, where it preserves our natural environment," the ministers said.

Projects approved by region attached

Biodiversity Condition and Advice Fund Grants 2004

Nationwide

Four projects worth $112,588 have been approved nationwide from the Biodiversity Advice Fund:

1. NZ Ecological Restoration Network (NZERN), to update their biodiversity advice service directory of conservation restoration groups throughout New Zealand. NZERN is a non-profit community organisation based on a network of community groups involved in the hands on protection and ecological restoration of native habitat. NZERN specialises in collating information into an accessible form for DIY restoration workers. This includes biodiversity information delivered via the internet. $5,810.

2. NZ Native Forests Restoration Trust (NZNFRT), to raise awareness and provide landowners with options for conserving and restoring biodiversity. This is to primarily done by creating promotional material outlining methods and options for landowners to protect and carry out ecological restoration on their land. The NZNFRT has an objective to encourage and undertake the restoration of degraded or destroyed New Zealand indigenous habitats. NZNFRT has been in existence for 23 years and works closely with other conservation organisations. $2,500.

3. NZ Landcare Trust, to develop a model for 10 things a landowner can do to enhance biodiversity on their property; The Trust focuses on land care, sustainable land management and biodiversity. Up to $30,000.

4. Royal Society of New Zealand, to develop a nationwide education programme on the sustainability of waterways. This involves the training of regional facilitators so that their advice focuses on the biodiversity focuses on streams and the impact of the local ecosystem on stream health.

This follows on from two existing programmes the Whitebait Connection and the National Waterways Project. $74,278.

Northland

Three projects from the Biodiversity Advice Fund and 16 from the Biodiversity Condition Fund worth $438,202 for Northland have been approved:

1. NZ Kiwi Foundation Charitable Trust and Aroha Island Ecological Centre for design and project implementation of integrated predator management for biodiversity enhancement in Far North District kiwi areas.

The NZ Kiwi Foundation has been in operation for four years starting with a community based project on Kerikeri Peninsula while the Aroha Island Ecological Centre has been in existence from 1996 focussing on the provision of advice on managing endangered species, the North Island Brown Kiwi in particular. $28,800.

2. NZ Landcare Trust six approved projects:

- Programme of education and training in relation to predator trapping and biodiversity protection in general. The project seeks to increase the involvement of land care group members in the protection of their biodiversity values through field days, newsletters and training operations. $54,595;

- Implementation of a "Self Help Tool Kit" for landowners in Northland. The kit called kit called "Restoring the Balance" assists landowners collecting information, identifying existing biodiversity and assistance with subsequent decisions that are then to made. The project will focus on the promotion and dissemination of the through workshops. $5130;

- Tutukaka Landcare Coalition (group of landowners in the Tutukaka area) to undertake a coastal forest pest and predator control programme. The project is to undertake a trap and line poison operation over 1000ha for pest and predator control to help stabilise and recover the North Island brown kiwi population in the Tutukaka coastal forest. $31,133;

- Project involving integrated predator control in Wekaweka Valley by the Wekaweka Landcare Group - a sub-committee of the Wekaweka Valley Community Trust. The project involves the employment of a multi-skilled trapper to control possum and mustelid predation over 1300 ha of freehold land. $58,600;

- Upper Waitangi Biodiversity Enhancement project involving predator and pest control. The project to be done by the Waimate North Landcare Trust, a group with about 40 members starting in 1997, involves contract trapping in the upper Waitangi Catchment over 12000ha of private land. $53,325;

- Weed, mustelid and possum control in the Herekino Landcare Pest and Predator Programme. The project involves targeting wild ginger and undertaking possum and predator control by contractor using bait stations and trap. The programme is over a 1000ha area and is managed by the Herekino Landcare Group. $59,548.

3. Northland Regional Council four approved projects:

- Waiwhatawhata Bush restoration project. The project involves fencing a 55ha block of mature native coastal forest from stock and undertaking goat and possum control to allow regeneration. The land involved is in the southern Hokianga and held by the Diamond Family Trust and Maori. $10,000;

- Fencing from stock MacPherson Bush, a 9ha property, south of Kaitaia held by the MacPherson Trust with a QEII covenant. $3250;

- Protect and enhance the Ross Family Trust Wetland. This 5ha freshwater wetland feeds down into the Pataua River estuary. The project involves fencing and weed control to protect the wetland and develop the area as an education resource for the community. $9,500;

- Fence from stock and carry out possum control at Karaka Road Bush, 42ha of mature native bushm. $8,750.

4. QEII National Trust. Seven projects in Northland approved to the National Trust:

- Design, install and service permanent rat and possum control systems in Far North District. This involves 1540ha in total and 51 separate covenants on private land in the Far North District. $22,481;

- Eradicate tradescantia (wandering jew) in Takou Bay on two covenants, 47.3ha in total. The tradescantia is suppressing regeneration of these forest remnants and if left to spread will lead to continued degradation of the forest health. $7,519;

- Weed control on 23 covenants in central Northland. There is a wide range of weed infestation on these covenants including gorse, privet, pampas, etc. These properties are in central Northland. $35,019;

- Pest control on Bream Tail. This is a coastal forest 22ha covenanted area on Duncan and Marie Dow's property, Bream Tail, overlooking Bream Bay. The project is for pest control on this property - possums, rats, mustelids and wild pigs and increase bird numbers. $8,345;

- Fence three Waihue Bush remnants of 26ha against grazing.

Waihue Bush is owned by the Kaipara District Council. This project will also be funded directly by the Council and the National Trust. $24,620;

- Pest control on Blaxall and Soole covenant. Doug Blaxall and Stephen Soole actively manage 13.6ha of secondary lowland podocarp bush on the hills overlooking the Northern Wairoa. The project is to enhance the bird and kauri snail population through pest control using traps and poison baits. $4,010;

- Maintenance and monitoring of pest control at Maranui. Maranui is a covenanted 417ha property located on the Brynderwood Range. It is the largest covenant in central Northland hosting several threatened species including kupuka, tomtit and Hochstetter's frog. The ongoing control programme will be an example of the benefits of protecting indigenous biodiversity. $3,000.

5. Mahanga Ngaranoa Estate for animal pest control, weed control and planting of indigenous species in the Pukahakaha Block Sanctuary. The 35ha is at Pataua South on the Whangarei Heads. The project involves targeting broom and other weeds and undertaking possum and predator control by the local bicultural group to Roopu Kaimahi o Pataua and local chemical pest control specialists. Planting and bush restoration and fencing will also take place. $10,576.

Auckland

The Auckland region has three projects from the Biodiversity Advice Fund and 11 from the Biodiversity Condition Fund worth $142,607 approved:

1. Mohunga Peninsular Ecological Restoration Project has approval from both funds:

- Predator control study and planning on 800ha of private land involving 12 land owners on the Mohunga Peninsula of Great Barrier Island.

The planning will seek the expert advice in the fields of pest eradication, predator-proof fence erection, monitoring existing biodiversity and habitat improvement strategies. The purpose is to develop a strategy to preserve the remnant flora and flora that has survived. Up to $19,000;

- Implementing the developed plan for predator control targeting feral cats and pigs, rodents and rabbits activity. Also regeneration of kanuka and manuka and maintain fencing for stock control. $12,402.

2. Waitakere Branch, Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society has approval from both funds:

- Provision of advice on pest control to landowners bordering Waitakere Open Sanctuary in order to establish a buffer. This is to minimise pest invasion of the Ark in the Park Waitakere Ranges Open Sanctuary and the Matuku Reserve Open Sanctuary. The Northern Waitakere Ranges is proposed for the reintroduction of a number of threatened species now extinct in the Waitakeres. $5,000;

- Implementing the project involves many landowners over 1000ha in the Cascades and Matuku areas. The implementation involves assisting the land owners with a trapping and bait laying programme in the identified areas necessary for the buffer zones. $10,000.

3. Puhoi Landcare Group Inc. has approval from both funds:

- Puhoi Rivercare Project which involves education programmes relating to the restoration of land and aquatic biodiversity in the Puhoi River headwaters. $10,500;

- Restoration of land and aquatic biodiversity in the Puhoi River headwaters. This is a long term project expected to occur over 20 years.

The Puhoi Landcare Group Inc. has previously undertaken several successful biodiversity management projects including clearance of willows and possums over a 3800ha area. $5,000.

4. Karen Walker and Ken Morris to enhance and revegetate 1ha brown teal habitat on their Puriri Bay property Great Barrier Island. The project involves enhancing and revegetating with flax, rushes and trees brown teal habitat, providing cover and extra nesting sites. $1,125.

5. Charlie and Winnie Blackwell for 1ha brown teal habitat improvement at Kaitoke on Great Barrier Island. Fencing and revegetation are the main activities for this project improving safe cover for the brown teal. $9,905.

6. Helen Mabey to fence 4ha of coastal forest from stock. The area is approximately 4ha and has the 2nd highest brown teal colony in New Zealand. The fencing project would remove stock and allow regeneration of coastal forest and improve the nesting habitat for the brown teal. $7,875.

7. QEII National Trust. Three projects in the Auckland region have been approved to the National Trust:

- Eradication of cats and rats on the 50ha Glenfern Sanctuary mainland island, Port Fitzroy Great Barrier Island. The eradication programme involves trapping and laying of bait stations. $25,000;

- Rat, stoat and weed control of 0.3ha Fitchett covenant on Waiheke Island. $1,500;

- Three Streams wilding pine control. This 4ha block of regenerating indigenous forest at Albany is subject to wilding pines. $25,000;

- Hapu Kotare 24ha covenant Kauri Bay Clevedon. The project is a programme of weed control on this mangrove forest, wetland and coastal forested property. $3,500.

8. HJ & TG Blomfield for Tradescantia (Wandering Jew) eradication.

This 4.5ha Significant Natural Area Bush property is in the Rodney District is rich in classic native trees but smaller species and regeneration are smothered by Wandering Jew. $8,300.

Waikato

The Waikato region has two projects from the Biodiversity Advice Fund and seven from the Biodiversity Condition Fund worth $214,416 approved:

1. Environment Waikato biodiversity advice service consisting of a toll free telephone line to take enquiries and provide information. $51,122.

2. Ngati Hei Trust approval from both funds for:

- a restoration plan. $15,000;

- pest eradication on Ohinau Island. $12,500.

Ohinau Island is the last of the Mercury Islands yet to be made predator free. The two projects involve establishing a restoration plan detailing process and timetable followed by pest eradication and recovery monitoring.

3. Kapowai Kiwi Group Inc. for predator control over 150ha in the Kapowai River Valley on the east coast of the Coromandel Peninisula. The methods used will be trapping hunting and poisoning. $10,000.

4. Mist Preservation Society Inc. for rat control on the Mist Scenic Reserve on the northern Coromandel Peninsula. The 240ha Mist Scenic Reserve hosts the Moehau Beetle and the Coromandel striped gecko. Kiwis are also present. Up to $84,439.

5. Hikuai Wharekawa Community Possum Control Scheme. This involves 3000ha of farm and lifestyle blocks in the Hikuai district on the Coromandel Peninsula. This forested area includes Northern Rata and hosts substantial bird population. Poisoning using bait stations are to be used. $13,775.

6. QEII National Trust. Three approved projects in the Waikato region involve possum control from poisoning using bait stations:

- Kay Open Space Covenant. Also known as Tumutumu Bush is on the Upper Waitomo Valley Road and is 43ha of indigenous forest with significant pig and possum populations. $7,800;

- Clegg Open Space Covenant. This 250ha area is south of Port Charles in the Coromandel Peninsula hosts the 2nd highest density of North Island kiwi. $10,630;

- McNaughton Open Space Covenant. This 93ha indigenous forest has dense rimu stands and large kawaka. The property is on the McDonald Mine Road, Huntly. $9,150.

Bay of Plenty

The Bay of Plenty has four projects from the Biodiversity Advice Fund and 12 from the Biodiversity Condition Fund worth $248,052 approved:

1. Nga Uri o Te Ngahere Trust. The Trust, based at Mt Maunganui, is to produce a biodiversity resource kit which will be an educational resource targeted at Maori landowners and managers. $18,690.

2. Waihua Land Trust. The Trust is to prepare a restoration plan an area of 16ha adjacent to the Rangitaiki River at Waiohau. $2,620.

3. Waikaraka Estuary Managers. The project involves the communication of the Waikaraka Estuary Managers Management Plan restoration for the Waikaraka Estuary in the Tauranga Harbour. $4,000.

4. NZ Landcare Trust to facilitate and co-ordinate the biodiversity management on Matakana Island. This primarily involves workshops, field days, newsletters, hui and a schools' programme. $25,000.

5. RG Wallingford property to maintain and repair the conservation fence surrounding 9.4ha near Tauranga. The fence is to restrict stock access preserving bush and water quality. $1,502.

6. Environment Bay of Plenty as part of the restoration of the Nukuhou Stream restoration. The project involves the restoration, through a clearing and replanting programme of 11ha of private and Maori land on the Nukuhou and Waingara Stream margins. $20,500.

7. Nga Whenua Rahui have two approved projects:

- Fencing of 100ha of Maori owned land at Lake Rotoehu. The fencing will exclude stock allowing the revival of natural habitat and reducing pollution of the lake. $70,000;

- Judas goat control programme on 10,137ha of Tapuaeharuru Trust lands north east of Opotoki. The project involves the capturing, neutering, applying transmitter collars and releasing of 10 juvenile males. A hunting programme follows using the transmitting collars to locate goat populations. $60,470.

8. Taumanu Associates for the development of a strategy for the ecological restoration of 90ha at Lake Pupuwharau on the outskirts of Kawerau. $3,000.

9. Tauranga District Council for Huria Management Trust Lands restoration. The project involves a programme of weed control and replanting with indigenous plants on 1.5ha within the south-western margins of the Waikareo Estuary and Motuopae Island, Tauranga Harbour. $15,000.

10. QEII National Trust. Six projects approved in the Bay of Plenty:

- L'Anson Reserve Revegetation Project. This involves a programme of planting and weed control on 10.3ha at Bethlehem, Tauranga. $4,500;

- Whitebait Riprarian Restoration Project. This involves 2ha at Welcome Bay, Tauranga at the head of the Kaitemako Stream. A revegetation programme is proposed on this along the side of the stream. $1,500;

- Richard and Jacqui Underwood, Valley Road, Whakatane. The project is to protect a 3.4ha lowland pohutakawa area through weed control and revegetation infill planting. $3,000;

- Greg and Heather Firth, Paengaroa, Western Bay of Plenty. The project involves weed and possum control, restoration planting on 7ha of lowland podocarp forest. $12,270;

- Chris and Antoinette Mountfort to undertake ivy and possum control. This is to allow regeneration of 4ha of lowland forest at Manawahe, Bay of Plenty. $2,500;

- Stuart Morrison for weed control on 25ha of lowland tawa forest infested with Himalayan Honeysuckle on Oturoa Road outside of Rotorua. $3,500.

East Coast / Hawkes Bay

The East Coast has two projects from the Biodiversity Advice Fund and 14 from the Biodiversity Condition Fund worth $198,180 approved:

1. Hastings District Council to provide biodiversity advice to landowners of Recommended Areas for Protection. The project involves identifying landowners, developing and compiling advice and then the distribution of advice through workshops. $17,507.

2. Ngatapa Station to develop an ecological restoration plan for Ngatapa Station. The station which is in the Hawkes Bay region is already protected with a covenant under the Reserves Act 1977. $10,000.

3. Te Iwi o Rakaipaaka Inc. The project is to establish 400m of new fencing along the western bank of the Nuhaka River (as protection from stock) and replant this riparian area with appropriate indigenous species, followed by an animal pest control and weed management programme. The purpose is to reduce erosion of the river bank, increase habitat potential and protect waahi tapu. $54,225.

4. Fish and Game NZ has two projects approved:

- Waitangi Railway Wetland Restoration. The objective is to restore a degraded wetland by controlling water levels and controlling woody weeds. This will enhance habitat for native fish, birds and plants.

The land is 3ha located at Awatoto and is part of the Waitangi estuary between Hastings and Napier. $6,150;

- Hurimoana Swamp Restoration. The objective is to restore a degraded wetland by retaining water from catchment runoff, amenity planting and control stock access through fencing. This will enhance habitat for native fish, birds and plants. This involves 31ha of land, a combination of freehold and Maori Trust, west of Napier and Hastings. $31,000.

5. Greg and Rachel Hart to conserve and restore 20ha of mainly lowland kahikatea, matai and totara forest in Managara Native Bush in Hawkes Bay. Regeneration is to be encouraged using an exotic weed eradication programme. $2,376.

6. Manuel Family Trust to undertake pest control and fencing of approx 118ha at Otoko, Gisborne. This will alleviate the pressures of stock control and pests and encourage regeneration. $15,295.

7. Asgard Trust for fencing and pest control of 12ha around the Makaretu Stream, Otoko, Gisborne. This will alleviate the pressures of stock control and pests and encourage regeneration. $38,060.

8. QEII National Trust. Eight projects have been approved:

- Simon Reed to renew or repair fences for stock control around 3 native bush areas on Arataha Station, Tologa Bay. $16,300;

- PJ Haynes to replace part of an existing fence for stock control purposes around a 48ha native bush covenant at Mahia. $10,000;

- Monarae Station Trustees to fence, for stock control, a 147ha native bush covenant on Monarae Station Wairoa. $8,500;

- MR & KP Watson to eradicate barberry on a 10ha native bush covenant Waimata Valley Road, Gisborne. $4,000;

- Alayne Jones as part of the restoration project of Tuaheni Point, Poverty Bay, by replanting in appropriate native species, and weed and pest control programmes. This complements other fencing, pest and weed control programmes. $10,000;

- Noel and Roger Cottle and NJ and PA Butcher for cottle weed control over 3 covenants covering 27ha of remnant coastal forest. $3,400;

- Milligan bush covenant for weed eradication over 5.3ha at Te Karaka, Gisborne. The bush covenant over kahikatea, tawa and titoki has already been fenced off for stock control. $5,500;

- Weed control, fencing and revegetation planting over 10.8ha on Mokotahi Hill at Mahia Beach. $5,195.

Taranaki / Wanganui / Manawatu

The Taranaki / Wanganui / Manawatu region has seven projects from the Biodiversity Condition Fund worth $219,910 approved:

1. Bushy Park Homestead and Forest Trust to install a predator fence around 98ha of lowland mixed forest and North Island brown kiwi habitat.

Once pests have been eradicated then it is proposed to use the reserve as a crèche for kiwi and other endangered species. $100,000.

2. Taranaki Tree Trust for plants as part of their wider Waiwhakaiho Catchment Riparian Project. The wider project is aimed at enhancing water quality through retirement fencing and establishing appropriate riparian vegetation along 134km of stream bank in the Waiwhakaiho Catchment, Inglewood. $20,000.

3. Maata Kotahi Estate Partnership for fencing and pest control on 10ha near Taihape. Up to $5,000.

4. Palmerston North City Council has two fencing projects approved:

- A 70ha forest remnant for stock control on the Ebbett's property Makomako, near Paihiatua. $51,023;

- Nicholls' 20ha property of forest remnant next to the Turitea Reserve, to exclude stock. $39,432.

These are part of wider projects which include other activities such as possum control.

5. QEII National Trust. Two projects have been approved:

- Ross Humphries and Les Gander QEII covenants covering23ha in total in the Oroua Valley near Cheltenham. The project involves possum control, weed control and planting feed trees to support kereru moving along the Oroua Valley. $6,455;

- 40ha of wetland forest covenant 10km from New Plymouth. The project for the Umutekai Wetland is woolly nightshade control. $3,000.

Wellington

The Wellington region has three projects from the Biodiversity Advice Fund and 12 from the Biodiversity Condition Fund worth $129,392 approved:

1. Kapiti Coast District Council to help coordinate biodiversity enhancement in the Kapiti Coast District. $25,000.

2. Waitohu Stream Care Group to fund the development of the Wootten Wetland Management Plan, Waitohu Stream, Otaki. The management plan is to address fencing, planting and pest control on the Wootten family property. $13,156.

3. Greater Wellington Regional Council to develop wetland hydrology guidelines. The aim is to help landowners and wetland managers achieve wetland water level management and restoration goals. $13,481.

4. Wellington / Waiarapa Land Protection Fora. The Fora, coordinated by the Greater Wellington Regional Council consists of agencies and organisations involved in biodiversity protection. 10 projects have been approved:

- Weed control on the Corich and van der Bas 1.7ha property of puketea, kahikatea and nikau on the Waikanae River. The programme is to remove invasive weeds (Japanese honeysuckle, banana passionfruit, pampas, barberry and wattle), to allow regeneration. $3,300;

- Fencing of 8ha at Devils Elbow on the Waikanae River. The fencing will exclude stock access allowing regeneration. $9,500;

- Weed control of Japanese honeysuckle, banana passionfruit, barberry and cotoneaster on 4.5ha of the Fisher property on the Waikanae River. The area has already been fenced as part of the regeneration programme. $6,000;

- Hawthorn control on 2.5ha of the Glover property in the Pauatahanui catchment. This is one of the few protected tawa and kohekohe forests left in the catchment. Hawthorn is in danger of taking over the canopy in the eastern part of this area. $2,500;

- Possum control on this large kohekohe forested area. This 11ha property held by Simpson and Dinan is the larger of two protected kohekohe forests in the area. $1,000;

- Weed control, Japananese honeysuckle in particular, on the 2.5ha Smith property at Waikanae. This is a lowland forest consisting of tawa, kohekohe, puketea, kahikatea and rimu, $1,250;

- Removal of wilding pines on the 4.7ha Ecclesfield covenant at Upper Hutt. $8,000;

- Weed control and fencing on 47ha of Kay property at Pukerua Bay.

This remnant tawa, kohekohe, puketea, kahikatea, mahoe, kaikomako, nikau and rimu and forested covenant requires fencing from stock and gorse control. $24,900;

- Creation of a firebreak on the 40ha Meeking-Stewart covenant near Pukerua Bay. The fire break will reduce the threat of fire to this kohekohe forest from the neighbouring rail line. $7,000;

- Fencing of 142ha on this Meridian Energy covenant at Makara. The fence is to protect the coastal escarpment from grazing. $5,000.

5. QEII National Trust. Two projects have been approved:

- Eliminating elder, willow and assisting with fencing on 4ha, known as Haywoods wetland, on Jane Gilletts property at Lake Wairarapa.

This is a Raupo dominant wetland with very high wildlife values. The elder is aggressively invasive, the willow is spreading into the lagoon choking the area and the fencing is for stock control. $4,880;

- Eliminating tradescantia (wandering jew) which is suppressing regeneration of the forest on two 10.9 and 5.4ha covenants near Shannon. $4,425.

Chatham Islands

The Chatham Islands have had a large project from the Biodiversity Condition Fund approved. The approval is for the Meehan covenants owned by the Gregory-Hunts on Pitt Island. The project is to fence off 100ha of native bush from adjacent paddocks to allow grazing in the paddocks without incursion into the bush. $81,350.

Nelson

The Nelson region has one project from the Biodiversity Advice Fund and three from the Biodiversity Condition Fund worth $31,000 approved:

1. Tasman District Council has two approved projects:

- Establish "Coast Care" programmes to control erosion caused by land use changes, natural causes and increased pedestrian use. The project involves approaching landowners, public meetings, newsletters, formation of "Coast Care" groups and general assistance. $20,000;

- Implement "Coast Care" programmes along 10km of coastline in Golden Bay and Tasman Bay. $6,000.

2. Milnes for rat control on 10ha of their property at Onekaka, Takaka. The land involved is native bush and wetland. $500.

3. QEII National Trust. The approved project in the region is for pest control on the 38ha Nicol and Deutsch forested covenant on the Clarke River near Tapawera. The land borders the Kahurangi National Park. The project involves a programme of trapping and setting bait stations for wasps, possums, mustelids, rats and mice. $4,500.

West Coast

The West Coast has one project from the Biodiversity Advice Fund and one from the Biodiversity Condition Fund worth $85,667 approved:

1. Grey District Council to develop a management plan and information pack for landowners with Significant Natural areas. $20,000.

2. QEII National Trust. The project approved is for fencing of the Bennett and Veale coastal forest covenants at Carters Beach and Fairdown Westport. The covenants are currently surrounded by intensive dairying and are subject to accidental grazing occurring when electric fences are down. $65,667.

Canterbury

Seven projects from the Biodiversity Advice Fund and 18 from the Biodiversity Condition Fund worth $434,920 have been approved:

1. Wairewa Rununga Inc. Soc. To ensure the best strategies are implemented for rehabilitation and management of the mahinga kai environment in Wairewa through the development of a biodiversity management plan. $100,875.

2. Coastal Conway Landcare Group to develop a pest control plan for Landcare Groups. $15,000.

3. Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust and Environment Canterbury to develop a strategy document to promote pest control. $18,000.

4. Environment Canterbury to enhance wetlands through landowner advice, wetland demonstration sites and wider community engagement on wetland enhancement and maintenance. $23,890.

5. Waihora Ellesmere Trust to coordinate information provision relating to biodiversity to private landowners around Lake Ellesmere Te Waihora and the Selwyn Catchment. $74,000.

6. NZ Landcare Trust, through the Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust, to encourage and support landowners on the Peninsula to protect and enhance biodiversity on their properties with field days, workshops, pamphlets and newsletters. $23,818.

7. Harts Creek / Birdlings Brook Stream Care Group two approved projects:

- Run field days to broaden support for the enhancement of biodiversity around Lake Ellesmere Te Waihora. $5,000;

- Undertake planting of native species in relation to 15 identified properties, with small streams and wetlands to the order of 5ha around Lake Ellesmere Te Waihora. $11,000.

8. CJ Leach Family Trust for planting and fencing to restore 1ha of wetland in Scargill Valley, North Canterbury. $2,593.

9. Stroma Farm Ltd to control wilding pines over 1798ha, which includes a Significant Natural Area, at Winford Hills in the Amuri Range. $9,450.

10. Angus and Sue Galletly for control of wilding pines on 700ha, which includes a Significant Natural Area, at Waiau, North Canterbury. $12,800.

11. Waikuku Water Users Group to preserve and restore 1.4ha of Taranaki Stream wetland at Waikuku. The project includes fencing, water control, willow control and planting. $30,200.

12. Karaha Holdings Ltd for wilding conifer tree control over 83ha in the western end of the Amuri Range in the Hamner Basin. The land consists of remnant beech forest and is either under QEII National Trust covenant or a Significant Natural Area. $6,000.

13. Priory Farms Ltd for fencing and weed (Old Mans Beard) control to protect 5 areas of regenerating scrub and forest. The areas, covering 5ha in total, is by the upper Pahau River, Culverden, North Canterbury. $30,250.

14. DJ DeAngelis to fence out from grazing stock 50ha of land adjoining Lake Forsyth Wairewa, Banks Peninsula and control the nasella tussock.

The aim of the project is to provide a buffer for the wetland and aquatic communities of Lake Forsyth. $30,122.

15. Rollinson Family Trust to protect and enhance native fish (kokopu) habitat. The 4.2ha area surrounding existing ponds, near Waimate, is to be fenced off and a programme of revegetation through replanting undertaken. $3,140.

16. Anthony Holcroft and Charles Mayne for blackberry and broom eradication on 6ha in wetland and bush margins at View Hill, near Oxford, North Canterbury. The objective of the project, known as Tawhai Bush, is to allow forest regeneration into the adjacent wetland. $658.

17. Cloud Farm to safeguard the rocky outcrops through gorse removal and regeneration of snow tussock. The 1ha area in question overlooks Goughs Bay, Akaroa. $4,850.

18. AF Scott Estate to re-establish a podocarp forest over 180ha in the Hoon Hay Valley, Christchurch. The fund is to partially fund a wide project involving planting, fencing weed and animal control, fire protection, public involvement and monitoring. $20,000.

19. QEII National Trust. The approved two weed control projects:

- An expanding infestation population of sycamore and ash in Kakahu Bush beside the Kakahu River, Geraldine, South Canterbury. While Kakahu Bush, with multiple landowners, covers 429ha the infestation occurs over 2.5ha. $9,699;

- Banana passionfruit over WH Holdings Ltd covenant of 7.4ha. The semi-coastal ngaio, whitewood and kanuka forest (at Claverly north of the mouth of the Conway River) is subject to a small, but threatening, 0.5ha infestation. $1,125.

20. Rangitata Landcare Group for broom control in the upper Rangitata river bed. The project is to spray broom on 68ha of land on the north side of Potts River and between the Potts and Rangitata Rivers. $10,000.

21. Graham Horne for broom control over 1ha at Mt Grey, North Canterbury. $2,000.

22. Hopefield Station, Hurunui, to fence 2ha wetland from grazing. $5,100.

23. Claxby Properties Ltd to preserve 18.5ha of kanuka forest on the Waimakariri River through a goose, broom and pine removal. $15,000.

Otago

Otago has two projects from the Biodiversity Advice Fund and one from the Biodiversity Condition Fund worth $15,555 approved:

1. Civic Corporation Ltd, who provide all resource management and regulatory services for the Queenstown Lakes District Council, share knowledge of the ecological values of the high country in the Queenstown Lakes District. This will be done through coordinated seminars with landowners and agencies to develop information on ecological values and identify sustainable management practices to be put into an information package brochure. $6,500.

2. QEII National Trust has two approved projects:

- Public education programme using interpretative panels at Stony Creek Lagoon North Otago Coast and Kanuka woodland at Lake Wanaka, two important covenanted areas. $3,000;

- Weed control work at three protected bush sites covering 24ha:

i. Styles Creek Bush, Broad Bay, Otago Peninsula, ii. Maurice Whites Bush, Doctors point, Waitati, and iii. Saddle Hill bush block on, Dunedin. $6,055

Southland

Southland has two projects from the Biodiversity Advice Fund and two from the Biodiversity Condition Fund worth $177,140 appproved:

1. Stewart Island/Rakiura Community and Environment Trust. The Trust has had two projects approved:

- Running workshops on pest control for members of the Stewart Island community with a follow-up booklet to be distributed and maintain a display for the environment centre to keep the community informed on current pest control measures, $10,420;

- Undertaking a possum and rat trapping programme over 258.5ha at Half Moon Bay to allow habitat restoration for native birds in particular. $76,720.

2. NZ Landcare Trust to enhance biodiversity management through a partnership between the Biodiversity Southland Forum (established by Environment Southland) and NZ Landcare Trust. The funding will be used for raising wider community awareness and support for biodiversity initiatives, co-ordinate the Biodiversity Southland Forum and develop specifics for "10 things a landowner can do to enhance biodiversity on their property". $13,000.

3. Patua Kiore Roopu Inc. for a rat eradication programme on Southern Titi Island group and then maintaining an ongoing quarantine system allowing the natural biodiversity to recover, birds in particular. The four islands, Taukihepa, Pukeweka, Rerewhakaupoko and Mokonui, are to the south west of Stewart Island and total 1043ha in area with Taukihepa the largest. The rat eradication programme involves previously successfully bait drops undertaken on other islands. $77,000.

ENDS

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