Tongariro National Park is one of only 24 sites worldwide with dual natural and cultural World Heritage Status. In 1990 the park was given recognition as a natural site of outstanding universal value because of the unique nature of the volcanoes in the area. In 1993 the park became the first property in the world to be inscribed on the World Heritage List under the revised criteria describing cultural landscapes. There are only three World Heritage Sites in New Zealand - Tongariro National Park, Te Wahipounamu (South West New Zealand) and NZ Subantartic Islands. This means that our efforts in this amazing and unique area are even more important…
As well as our regular activities such as Tukino Road Tussock Revegetation and Mistletoe, Dactylanthus & Pittosporum Turneri seed collecting & monitoring, TNHS also have a few ongoing long term projects in and around Tongariro National Park. These include Mt Pihanga/Lake Rotopounamu Restoration Project and Waimarino Wetland Restoration which has just completed it's first year. We also do some "one-off" projects such as the Blue Duck Survey in 2004, and Historic Sites Survey in 2005. Results and information on these projects will be available on the "completed projects" page soon.
MT PIHANGA/LAKE ROTOPOUNAMU RESTORATION PROJECT
This project was set up to protect the native biodiversity of the Mt Pihanga and Lake Rotopounamu area in Tongariro National Park. It is now entering it’s forth year. The project is community focused with integrated pest management and advocacy at its core.
“Restoring the mauri of Mt Pihanga”
The word “mauri” used in this context is defined as the life-force of the forest and all the native species that live within it. It is a term which describes holistic health and encapsulates culture and species alike. There are a number of desired conservation outcomes we would like to achieve;
- advocating and supporting the community in managing conservation
- informing and involving people in conservation, through interpretation and volunteer opportunities
- maintaining and improving a biologically diverse area within Tongariro National Park
- ensure no new local extinctions of native fauna or flora occur at the site
- ensure introduced predator numbers are kept as low as possible on a continuous basis, in order to establish self-sustaining populations of indigenous species
- re-introduction of species lost to the area and those endangered species that would thrive
- meeting the objectives of the Tongariro National Park Management Plan and principles of the World Heritage Site
Restoration means "to bring back to an original state by repairing". New Zealand's biodiversity has been plagued by land disruption and introduced mammalian predators. Introduced preditors have had a devastating impact on our indigenous fauna and flora. We have reached the point where we can only protect representative areas on the mainland and must use islands as a refuge for those species that cannot endure the raft of introduced predators present on the mainland. Because we are dealing with a range of pests and keeping them at low numbers constantly, the forest and birds will flourish, making it a better place to live and visit. We will be able to re-introduce species that were lost to the area, hence providing more pleasure for visitors and locals alike.
WHAT IF?
You get out of your can and walk toward a huge gateway representing the mana of Ngati Tuwharetoa. A gateway which made you feel like you were walking into the one of the very few cultural world heritage sites in the world to highlight a peoples spiritual connection to their land. A taonga so sacred it has been managed to the best of it's caretaker's ability. The area is bursting with ingigenous fauna and flora, the dawn chorus deafening in the early morning. It is secure from the exotic species, which once created an aerie, enveloping silence.
It’s common to see huge flocks of kereru, kaka, kakariki, weka greet you on the track and at rest points along the way. The township of Turangi can hear kiwi’s calling at night from Mt Pihanga and the kowhai’s are teeming with tui in the spring. Bats are pollinating dactylanthus by feasting on the sweet nectar from its flowers.
People appreciate what they have on their doorstep. They are a stakeholder in their own land. The local people of Ngati Tuwharetoa are working hard to eliminate pests on their maunga, teachers are busy taking school pupils to the site to learn about the importance of conservation, community members are taking a group of tourists around the lake explaining culture, volcanic history, fauna and flora, volunteers are making tools back at the workshop.
Everybody with a vested interested in the site from TNHS, iwi, DoC, Councils, locals and the like are communicating and working together, to create this masterpiece. Species once lost are now thriving. Many birds and plants rarely seen are in abundance. Freshwater is home to native fish and invertebrates.
Project reports written by our volunteers at the end of each season will be available to you online soon. Return To Top |
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