PCT has grown considerably in the past twelve months, taking on large new contracts (e.g. Ministry for Primary Industry (MPI) Efficient Freshwater project for Bream Bay) through prudent financial management and blending of volunteers, paid roles and contractors. Standout successes across PCT’s operations this year include:
1. Completion of a two year kiwi survey that confirms kiwi presence and wide dispersal within the HVA with locals reporting hearing kiwi for the first time in their backyard,
2. Expansion of the intensive predator controlled area now covering 1,000 hectares including the largest of the Department of Conservation reserves, commercial forest and adjacent private land; a comprehensive network of over 2,000 mustelid traps over 18,000 hectares of the HVA
3. Over 40 volunteer groups working in trapping and weeding programmes,
4. A well-supported amnesty bin in Mangawhai to remove invasive weeds
5. Surveys indicating the increased presence and nesting of bellbirds, kōtare, kākā, tomtit and tūī;
6. Monthly dinners for volunteers with a topical speaker on conservation
7. Regular teams of locals coming together as Seek Weeds And Terminate (SWAT) teams to tackle tricky one-off areas of trapping or weeds,
8. Rapid expansion of our community native plant nursery producing over 7,000 plants,
9. Setting up a second community shed in Mangawhai to make trapping and pest plant resources closer at hand for Mangawhai residents,
10. Growth in farmer-led catchment groups taking on riparian fencing, planting, fish passage, īnanga habitat and wetland restoration.
11. A successful school programme now reaches nine schools throughout Mangawhai and Bream Bay
12. Completion of 4 demonstration sites that showcase the science behind riparian fencing and planting, as well as the restoration of wetlands to improve water quality and biodiversity
13. Regular stories published in local newspapers and on social media
14. Revised strategic plan to shape our work programme and efforts for the next 5 years.
