On the Thames Coast, around 20 years ago, vigilant locals knew that the local kiwi population was on the verge of collapse. Thames Coast Kiwi Care was formed in 2006 with the mission: “To protect and enhance kiwi populations on the Thames Coast”.
We wanted to ‘hear kiwi calling from backyards again’. This dream has become reality as Te Mātā and Tapu locals are reporting a significant increase in kiwi foot prints, calls and also sightings over the past few years.
We now have around 350 kiwi in our recovery area!
This is an incredible achievement by our community, with essentially ten times the 2006 kiwi population now present locally.
We’re thrilled to share a short trail camera compilation from the burrow of sires Taringamā and his family. It captures adorable moments from their lives but also worrying has some unwanted cameo appearances from you know who.
This hexmap represents real-time trapping data from our project area. The more red the colour, the higher the number of catches or density of traps.
You can mouse-over the hexagons for breakdowns on species catches. You can also use the top left red menu buttons to display subsets of data: by project, species or trap.
Massive thanks to the smart people at Groundtruth and Trap.NZ for this amazing resource!
Our scope has expanded from solely protecting kiwi to a “whole of habitat” approach. Our updated mission is:
To work with our community to restore the habitat so kiwi and other native species thrive.
Thanks to substantial funding provided by the Waikato Regional Council’s Natural Heritage Fund we have also been targeting rats and possums in the project area since 2023. These self-setting AT220 traps work continuously each night, extending the existing DOC200 trap lines that focus primarily on mustelid control and providing a buffer zone to public conservation land. Trap lines are checked and maintained each month by our Rat and Possum Project Leader, and also our dedicated team of volunteer trappers that undertake their fortnightly DOC200 checks.
The trap design and the servicing of the AT220 traps is leading to great successes. In early 2025 we have approximately 200 traps working and almost 4000 possums have been removed protecting our native flora and fauna. In the next year we plan to set another 90 self-setting traps
Running alongside the active pest trapping are bird surveys, to help gain an understanding of the existing biodiversity of NZ birds in our project area. We hope to collect data on how the control of rats and possums can help bring about an increase in both bird numbers and also the range of bird species recorded in the project area.
In early 2025 we installed three listening devices that all confirmed the presence of our precious pekapeka tou roa, native long tailed bats. They have the highest threat ranking of Nationally Critical and effective predator control is essential to their survival as well.
This is a new focus for us to raise awareness and add additional protection for New Zealand’s only native land mammal that is critically endangered.
Watch this space!
Want to know more about these fascinating creatures? Visit the great New Zealand Geographic for a brilliant article: ‘Bat Signals’ by Jonathan Carson. Photographed by Rob Suisted.
Facebook Posts
(Re)story the Possum
peltswithpurpose.raiselysite.com
Possums destroy native species. But what is unwanted here is a taonga across the Tasman. Help us gather and prepare possum pelts for Aboriginal communities to use, all while restoring biodiversity at ...
It's #RiverSafetyMonth2025! Let's chat about river crossing red flags 🌊 🚩
Next time you're out on a tramp, hunt, or hike and approach a river, keep an eye out for these 4 signs of an unsafe river:
🚩 Too fast? Is it moving faster than your normal walking pace?
🚩 Too murky? Is the water brown and dirty?
🚩 Too messy? Are there logs, branches or other debris in the water?
🚩 Too loud? Do you hear roaring water or rolling rocks?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, don’t cross.
Remember: If in doubt, stay out. 🚫
👉 Find more river safety tips: bit.ly/river-crossing-safety
#RiverSafetyMonth2025 #MakeItHomeNZ #TrampingNZ
Waikato Pestival
www.eventbrite.co.nz
A community workshop on predator control, native wildlife restoration, and practical action across Hamilton and Waikato.
Photos from Predator Free Hauraki Coromandel Community Trust's post
We have a vacancy in our team for a Summer Holiday Programme Leader to engage our community and the next generation of nature carers. Coordinate events like clay critters, night walks in nature, and our conservation exhibition in Kapanga/Coromandel town.
Based in northern Coromandel.
Up to 20 hours per week for four weeks in January 2026, email us for a position description: info@meg.org.nz
Apply with your CV and a covering letter (including your relevant work experience) by email to: info@meg.org.nz
Applications will close 5pm on Wednesday 22 October 2025
Did you know you can support Whakatāne Kiwi Trust and other great conservation groups through Forest and Birds 'Give a Trap' programme?
Every trap donated helps protect kiwi and other native species in our local reserves by creating safer, predator-free habitats.
It’s a simple way to make a big difference for our precious wildlife.
Find out more and get involved here: giveatrap.org.nz/
