Tīeke population 'severely impacted' by stoats at pest-free Shakespear Regional Park
Kia ora neighbours. Rangers fear stoats at Shakespear Regional Park may have had a severe impact on the pest-free sanctuary’s tīeke population.
The park, on Auckland’s Whangaparāoa Peninsula, is a sanctuary that provides wildlife, such as little spotted kiwi, robins, whiteheads, and hihi (stitchbird), with a safe and pest-free habitat.
However, a stoat was detected in the sanctuary at the end of 2020. It later gave birth, and two of its kits – a male and a female – were caught in traps.
Then, in January, thermal camera imaging suggested there were still stoats in the sanctuary, including the mother.
On Thursday, the council’s senior ranger at the sanctuary, Matt Maitland, said three more stoats had been captured, including two males and a female. It's believed one more stoat remains at large.
The sanctuary’s tīeke (North Island saddleback) population has been “severely impacted” by the stoat outbreak, Maitland said.
“This is the most significant excursion to date.”
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Poll: How should Guy Fawkes be celebrated?
While it is a fun occasion, fireworks on Guy Fawkes Night has caused much conflict over the years, upsetting our pets and disrupting the sleep of neighbours.
How should we celebrate Guy Fawkes Night? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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28.7% With a city-wide public fireworks display
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19.7% Small fireworks displays in each community
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7.7% Keep it as is
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33% We shouldn't celebrate it!
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10.5% Anything but fireworks
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0.4% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.
Whangaparaoa Future of the ferry Please have your say Option 3
Update from John Watson - Auckland Councillor
This month AT are surveying every single household on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula as part of their Whangaparaoa Public Transport Study.
This time around AT have put up 3 scenarios for the Coast’s public transport future they want people to choose from (along with a host of other questions). Scenario 1 has the existing buses and ferry but running more often, Scenario 2 has the NX2 bus via Penlink to city and a new 99 bus service (but importantly no ferry service) while Scenario 3 has the Gulf Harbour ferry service and the new 99 bus service.
On the face of it option 3 looks like the scenario that would benefit most parts of the Coast – the ferry service is retained, a new frequent bus service (99) runs along the peninsula while the NX2 is retained at the HBC Station (ensuring other Coast commuters don’t have to transfer further down the busway just to catch it).
Some of the assertions relating to travel times and the so-called 'viability' of a future Whangaparaoa bus terminal need to be challenged through this process as they don't bear scrutiny. For most people a combination of bus, ferry and utilisation of the $835m Penlink connection will resonate with all modes working together as part of an integrated network.
People using the ferry from the eastern half of Whangaparaoa reduce pressure on both the internal roading system and the connection point where Penlink will merge with the northern motorway. People off the road in one part of the network inevitably aids the overall network...especially when there are no plans to widen the northern motorway or add designated bus lanes over the next 30 years (meaning travel times as a consequence of ongoing development north of Silverdale will inevitably increase).
For those wanting to support the ferry service there are 4 specific questions you can respond to including the introduction of weekend sailings (but be aware that scenario 2 has no ferry service). Finally it should be noted there's an opportunity here for AT to create a more resilient network (with modest investment) but that will only occur if all the travel options Whangaparaoa Peninsula is fortunate enough to possess, are utilised
haveyoursay.at.govt.nz...
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