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MOTUTAPU ISLAND A SAFE HAVEN FOR KIWI BY MICHAEL PIGN��GUY ��� TRIP 1: JANUARY 28 ��� ANNIVERSARY DAY CRUISE Departs 8.00am Hobson Wharf returns 1.00pm ��� TRIP 2: FEBRUARY 17 ��� KAWAU ISLAND CRUISE Departs 8.00am Hobson Wharf returns 5.30pm ��� TRIP 3: FEBRUARY 23 ��� AUCKLAND HARBOUR EVENING CRUISE Departs 4.00pm Hobson Wharf returns 7.30pm TICKETS WC Daldy Preservation Society Railways Enthusiasts Society www.daldy.com Ph 445 9900 Ph 636 9361 www.railfan.org.nz 60 Professional Skipper January/February 2013 VIP.S91 WC Daldy & Railway Enthusiasts Society Cruises of human occupation can be enjoyed by all. The Hon Christine Fletcher, a founding Trustee, heads a group of 15 trustees who have organised the island���s restoration and work alongside a large volunteer force in partnership with the Department of Conservation. Since the Trust���s formation, hundreds of volunteers have laboured away planting a native forest, restoring wetlands, as well as historic site preservation, restoration and interpretation. It was a major problem to create a pest free island here and on adjoined Rangitoto Island. This was finally achieved in August 2011. Together, these two islands provide 3800 ha of safe environment for wildlife, most especially our endangered birds. For many years, the BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust was at the forefront of organisations working to save our national icon. This has now largely been taken over by the ���Kiwis for kiwi��� (The Kiwi Trust) who will be working with the BNZ and other organisations. The release of five Brown kiwi on Motutapu Island was seen as an ideal time to launch ���Kiwis for kiwi���, said its chairman Rob Fenwick. ���Releasing these birds marks a new era in kiwi protection. We���re building on 21 years of experience as BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust and are more determined than ever to take kiwi from endangered to everywhere.��� It also marked the start of a programme in which up to 50 Coromandel Brown kiwi will be moved from the Coromandel Peninsula to Motutapu Island over the next four to six years. Some 95 percent of kiwi living in unprotected areas die before they reach maturity, and it is vital that the islands of Tiritiri, Motuihe, Motutapu and other conservation islands, are kept pest free. This means that ferries, charter boat operators and private boats that visit these islands must be vigilant in ensuring that no pests travel on their vessels. We now are fortunate to have three islands close to Auckland that are safe homes to our endangered wildlife. Let���s work not only to keep them safe, but to create more environments where this can occur. TOTAL MARINE: ��� Wharves ��� Jetty and Marina Construction and Repair ��� Marine Towing ��� Pile Driving and Drilling ��� Salvage ��� Barge and Tug Hire VIP.S91 R unning around the islands of the Hauraki Gulf and those of the Bay of Plenty and Northland Coast for 16 years, Dee and I gained a great appreciation of how important these islands are to the survival of New Zealand���s rare and endangered species of flora and fauna when we were operating the Te Aroha. It also brought us into contact with the very dedicated management and field staff of the Department of Conservation and hundreds of unpaid volunteers whose aim it is to ensure that these islands were safe lifeboats for endangered species. We were thrilled when, in 1984, 24 North Island saddlebacks were brought to Tiritiri Matangi from Cuvier Island. Tiritiri���s newly planted forest was then, just large enough to start supporting some imported birdlife, as much of the island was still grassland and very young seedlings. Tiritiri now has twelve species of endangered birds that have been translocated from other islands and thrive amongst its maturing forest. After the outstanding success of Tiritiri Matangi, Motutapu was the next island to become a world-renowned conservation island: a safe haven for endangered flora and fauna. It was just a dream that many thought would not turn into reality, at least, not in their lifetime. But there are now kiwi living in the wild on Motutapu after five Brown kiwi were released there on October 23, 2012. I was very fortunate to be there to witness the release of these birds into the young planted forest. This release marks the culmination of a great deal of work by many people from inspired Department of Conservation staff, to generous sponsors, a large team of dedicated volunteers, Project Kiwi, Whenuakite Kiwi Care and Auckland Iwi. The Motutapu Restoration Trust was formed early in 1994, initially to raise funds and then to, ���restore the island���s habitats to enable native wildlife, including endangered species, to thrive in our safe haven, free from animal and plant pests���. Alongside the ecological restoration, the island���s rich archaeological and historic landscapes are being enhanced so that the stories of centuries TOTAL FLOATS: Design, Supply and Installation of all Floating Structures: Marinas ��� Commercial and Private Wharf Pontoons Phone 09 818 1541 ��� Fax 09 818 9451 www.totalmarineservices.co.nz