14 | T T Richard Loader Kiwi creche part of island restoration Together with Te Parawhau; Backyard Kiwi; and Kiwi Coast, Friends of Matakohe Limestone Island (FOMLI) host several well attended public kiwi release events per year. Golden Bay Cement REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT 06 751 0016 31 Centennial Drive, New Plymouth www.coastalservices.co.nz admin@coastalservices.co.nz Proudly supporting Golden Bay Cement · Plant Maintenance · Offshore Services · Pressure Piping & Equipment · Marine Engineering · Structural Fabrication · Design & Build · Corrosion Protection Nestled in the Whangarei Harbour, a little under two kilometres downstream from Golden Bay wharf in Portland, Whangarei, is Matakohe Limetone Island, Northland’s only operational kiwi creche. Kiwi are gifted by Northland iwi, Ngāti Hine, and arrive on the Island as 10-day-old chicks. The chicks are released and allowed to live in a relatively pest free environment until they are big enough to fend off a stoat and be transferred back to the mainland. Together with Te Parawhau; Backyard Kiwi; and Kiwi Coast, Friends of Matakohe Limestone Island (FOMLI) host several well attended public kiwi release events per year, where members of the community can see a kiwi in real life, learn about the important role that they play in the species recovery — and the opportunities for people to contribute with their own actions. Golden Bay has a long-standing association with the Island dating back to 1896 when the New Zealand Portland Cement company purchased a fledgling cement works. At its peak, 200 people were employed by the cement works, and around 250 people resided on the Island including families with young children. In 1918, competition saw it necessary to relocate the cement works to its present site on the mainland at Portland. The cement work ruins that remain on Matakohe Limestone Island are a unique feature and represent an important part of New Zealand’s early industrial history. Early sponsorship of the Island’s restoration by Golden Bay cement began in 1993, with initial grants getting planting underway. Golden Bay went on to become one of the Island’s major sponsors in 1998. “Our long term commitment has been a key component in ensuring the success of the restoration project, putting FOMLI in a position to apply to other sources for funding,” says Kelly Stevens, GB’s Manufacturing Manager. “With help from the Whangarei community, FOMLI have planted over 180,000 trees since the project’s inception, 34 years ago. “That has provided habitat and safe haven for the species that have been translocated to the Island — many gifted by Ngātiwai, or that have self-introduced since the project began.” Translocated species include, but are not limited to; shore skinks, ornate skinks, moko skinks, suter’s skinks, forest gecko, Pacific gecko, Auckland green gecko, common gecko, oi/grey-faced petrel, kiwi, banded rail, fern birds, and reef heron. Tangata Whenua, Te Parawhau, once occupied the pā on Matakohe, developing and tending to extensive gardens along the sloping North-western face of the Island. Nowadays, Te Parawhau and the voluntary FOMLI committee work together to manage the dayto-day running of Matakohe Limestone Island. FOMLI employ a resident ranger, who looks after a range of tasks, including weed control, species monitoring, report writing, managing volunteers, taking on local Te Pūkenga (New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology) practicum students, public speaking, funding applications, mowing and track maintenance, servicing and maintaining the Island’s assets, community engagement, transporting and guiding groups around the island, and transporting kiwi to and from the Island. “Matakohe Limestone Island is a favourite destination for Whangārei locals,” says Kelly. “There are several walking tracks, and other facilities on the Island available for public use. FOMLI and Te Parawhau are proud of what has been achieved in little over thirty years, none of which would have been possible without the support of sponsors such as Golden Bay. “FOMLI have plenty more exciting projects on the horizon and are looking forward to seeing what the next thirty years will achieve.” “Our long term commitment has been a key component in ensuring the success of the restoration project, putting FOMLI in a position to apply to other sources for funding.”
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