Traps and plants to bring back the kea
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Mt Hutt users are waging war on the pest population in the hope of restoring an endangered kea population.
Bike Methven, having recently added new predator traps to an established setup by Mt Hutt Ski Area, has started its trapping programme after receiving a $6000 grant from the Ashburton District Council.
Secretary Claire Harden said the club had purchased five small rat and stoat traps and two state-of-the-art possum traps that were proving quite effective, with one taking down six possums in its first five days.
“We had a lot of reports of stoats, ferrets, and possums last year so thought we would help try and get on top of it, Harden said.
The club would look to seek further funding to get more traps to help restore the native wildlife.
As well as removing pests, the club was working to eradicate wilding sycamores from the area.
Bike Methven’s efforts would work alongside Mt Hutt Ski Area’s established trapping and planting programmes.
Mt Hutt spokesman Richie Owen, who is also the Methven Community Board deputy chairman, said they now had 70 traps and have had over 800 successful kills in four years.
He said regular checking and baiting of the lines would commence by Mt Hutt staff during the summer months.
The ski area has also planted around 6500 native trees in the Mt Hutt forest area adjacent to the access road and a corridor running down the dry creek riverbed.
The trapping and planting have meant that bird life was increasing, which Owen said was a good sign.
“There has been a steady increase in Kereru and Kārearea NZ Falcon sightings.”
The hope is to see the endangered kea population return to the mountain because there used to be about 25 birds in the area until four years ago.
*Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
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Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
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Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
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