Action Plan funding helps protect black-billed gull colony
A colony of tarāpuka/black-billed gulls is now better protected, thanks to funding support from the Kaikōura Water Zone Committee.
The project has enabled the hiring of a contractor to operate already established traplines through breeding season, protecting the colony near the Charwell River bridge on the inland Kaikōura Road. Charwell River is one of four known nesting sites for tarāpuka in the Kaikōura and Hurunui-Waiau Uwha Zones.
The traplines are part of a trapping programme that was established in 2023 by us, Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand and the Department of Conservation, designed to support breeding success at the site.
Just over $9,000 is being put towards this latest work.
Biosecurity advisor James Schaap said tarāpuka have a conservation status of ‘At risk – Declining', so every bit of help is welcome.
“One of the gulls' main threats is predation from mammalian pests such as cats, stoats and hedgehogs.
“Trapping is a simple and effective way to help protect this precious species.”
Water zone committee Action Plan funding
Each water zone committee was allocated $50,000 this financial year. The committees make funding recommendations on projects in their zone that benefit the environment or engage the community on environmental issues.
This support in turn helps the committees meet the goals in their Action Plans - which outline their tactics for delivering on the targets of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy.
Kaikōura Water Zone Committee’s Action Plan priorities are:
- continue to support ki uta ki tai (mountains to the sea) projects and identify future projects within our takiwā
- support kaitiakitanga within our zone
- facilitate actions to enhance biodiversity and improve amenity and recreation outcomes
- support our community to respond to changing requirements, and share resources for good management practice
- facilitate an understanding of catchment systems within our zone, build community knowledge and connection to these systems and increase public participation.
Weed control on the Waiau Toa will help protect a range of important plant species
Action Plan projects in Kaikōura
The tārapuka protection project is one of five supported this year by Kaikōura Water Zone Committee Action Plan funding.
The other projects are:
Waiau Toa/Clarence river rafting weed control
The zone committee will keep supporting “on the ground action” in the Waiau Toa catchment, including weed control.
Clarence River Rafting will receive $9,630 to continue with weed and pest control work along the banks of Waiau Toa/Clarence, from Ravine Stream down to Boundary Creek.
The key species being targeted include broom, gorse, buddliea, lupins and willow.
There is very limited vehicle access to the area, so a ground and boat-based approach to control is best.
The aim is to eventually reduce the amount of pest species, which in turn will help protect a range of endemic, and ecologically important, plants.
Hāpuku Catchment Collective – year 4
This is an ongoing project, supported by the zone committee, to help landowners in the Hāpuku Catchment Collective control vine weeds on their property. Old man’s beard and banana passionfruit are the key targets.
$15,000 will go towards the hiring of contractors to find and control weeds on affected properties, and the purchase of weed killing products to distribute to landowners.
Waiau Toa/Clarence river hāpua predator trapping
The Waiau Toa hāpua/lagoon supports a variety of bird species that use it for breeding habitat. This includes the black-billed gull, red-billed gull and white-fronted tern – all of which are classified as ‘At Risk’.
$6,300 will go towards trapping work – including hiring a contractor to re-establish a trap line, and training community volunteers.
Waiau Toa/Clarence river weed management 2024/25
This project will support the ongoing work of Environment Canterbury and Toitū Te Whenua - Land Information New Zealand, to protect the unique braided river character and biodiversity values of the Waiau Toa from encroaching exotic weeds.
$9,630 will help with willow control on the Acheron River (which feeds into the Waiau/Toa), and pampas grass control on the lower Waiau Toa.