December 2011 - Tongariro Times
Tongariro Times December 2011
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Kites Will Take to Sky Again this New Year's Day
From 10.30am. Weather and wind dependent. If you can help out on the day, contact Kiri on info@tongariro.org.nz.
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Rotopounamu Update - $40,000 Funding Confirmed for 2011/12 Season Project Tongariro is pleased to confirm that several grant applications have recently been successful, to the tune of $40,000, which secures the 2011/2012 summer forest restoration programme at Rotopounamu. The grants are from Huckleberry’s Sports and Charitable Society ($5,000) , Sir John Logan Campbell Residuary Estate ($20,000), and W N Pharazyn Trust ($15,000). Karen Williams, Project Tongariro president says the recent grants are a strong show of support for what has become the most significant forest restoration project in the district. “The rats and stoats have been hit hard and many of the birds are making a comeback. Rifleman and the North Island robin are often seen and the larger birds like kaka, kereru and falcon have returned.” In addition, the Adopt a Hectare initiative continues to be popular with several more adoptions since our last newsletter. To become a kaitiaki (guardian) of a hectare and help restore the dawn chorus, hop online to view the map and to select your hectare. www.tongariro.org.nz/adoptahectare Report from Ian McNickle, Ranger Biodiversity, DOC Recent tracking tunnels results look great, only picking up one mouse and two rats. Kevin was the only one to pick up any rodents (all on line 1) which is always subject to re-invasion being so close to the boundary of the bait station network. One possum got into a tunnel up on line 13 and weta tracking has tripled since the last round. December 2011 results are rats at 3% and mice at 1%. The following graph shows the positive trend track tunnel index results from Aug 09 to Dec 11. |
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Pocket Ranger - Guide to the Tongariro Apline Crossing
An updated version has just been released which includes video clips for each section of the track and a built-in QR (Quick Response) Code reader so that users can scan bar codes on the track to find out more about points of interest. The new year will see the inclusion of GPS 'you are here' functionality and an iPad version. Go to www.tongariro.org.nz/pocketranger for more info and to download the Pocket Ranger. |
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Local Business Partners Several local businesses have committed to Project Tongariro. We are excited to have the ongoing support of these businesses. You can find their listings on The Pocket Ranger app and on our website. Level 1 Partners
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Enthusiasm & Hard Work made the Taonui Viaduct Clean Up Weekend Successful
This time we had to clean up the other side of the Taonui Stream; the terrain was steeper and more difficult than the previous day. With more keen hands at work, and a little rain, we took control of the unwanted vegetation, with only a small amount left for our next visit. The whole team worked hard to achieve what we did. We also came across a few relics of the past which will end up in the Ohakune Museum.
Complete the clean-up at Taonui Rail Viaduct, 29 January 2012 - HELPERS REQUIRED Accommodation: For any enquiries or to join in on this volunteer activity, contact Frank on 09 620 6650 or fkatavich@xtra.co.nz. |
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Tussock Traverse - 28 January 2012 - Volunteers for Marshaling Needed Similar to 'The Goat' except that Project Tongariro marshals the entire event, and looks after the entrants when they finish too with a great BBQ. It’s all good fun and Project Tongariro is the sole benefactor. This is our major fundraiser for the year and we raise in the region of $5000. Please let us know if you can help out on the day by contacting the office info@tongariro.org.nz If you are keen go to www.tussocktraverse.co.nz to enter! |
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Upcoming Field Trips Project Tongariro has some great field trips planned for 2012 - here's a heads up on what's coming up so you can plan ahead and join in.
Email Harry Keys on fire.ice@xtra.co.nz with expressions of interest.
Full details will be available on the website soon but email Mark Davies on davies.family@xtra.co.nz with expressions of interest.
Ark in the Park - 19/20 May 2012 |
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Helicopter Ride over the Waiotaka Wetlands The rain thankfully held off and we got an amazing overview of the area. We saw ‘Cabbage Tree Island’, which was in full flower, and we could easily see the grey / dying willows from previous campaigns. Sadly they do not always die after a single treatment and some require a second visit. Ian informed us that they are still trialing and settling on ‘best practices’ for eradicating the invasive grey and crack willows. From the air it is easy to imagine how amazing this area will be without the invasive willows, spurring us on to continue our work in this special place. |
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Project Tongariro Nursery Wednesday 21st December a 'potting up' morning' was carried out. |
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| Marshalling for 'The Goat' Jenny Hayward (Project Tongariro Intern)  On the 3rd of December the annual 'The Goat' running race was held on the round the mountain track beginning near Whakapapa Village. A number of dedicated Project Tongariro volunteers devoted their time to help out as marshals in order to keep competitors safe. Our day began at 5.30 am, when we dragged ourselves out of bed to begin preparations for the day. The weather was not overly kind to us with it being very cloudy and drizzly. However, spirits where high as we set off on our journey through the rough terrain. The distance was further than we had anticipated and by the time we reached our designated marshaling point it had  taken us a good 3 hours! All of the competitors seemed in good spirits - as they passed many thanked us for the job we were doing. There were a few bumps and bruises but we got through the day without any major mishaps. The tail end Charlie came past at around 1.00 pm and we headed back. By this time the weather had really set in and our pace had slowed considerably, making the walk out seem much longer than our journey in. When we finally reached the exit it had taken us nearly 4 hours and we were soaking wet. Nevertheless, I think we both felt it was a good achievement for us city girls!
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DOC Summer Nature Programme
Something for everyone. A chance to get out there and discover Tongariro National Park and the surrounding area. For more info and bookings go to: www.doc.govt.nz/tongarirosummer Phone 0800 362 925
1 January 6 January 7 January 8 January |
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| Remember Project Tongariro is on Facebook - 'Like' it to get all the newsfeeds!
Add photos and comments – we love to hear from you. |
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Event Calendar Check out the Event Calendar on our website so you can find out about members’ field trips and volunteers activities and plan to be involved in all our upcoming events. |
After replenishing our bodies and a good night's rest, we headed to the viaduct again with some extra crew, including Annette and Roy, Barbara and grandad (Graeme), Shirley and Ardy. 
A huge thank you for the on-going support from Shirley, Ardy, Beth, Kevin and Gerdine who spent 3 hours Wednesday morning at the nursery behind the Project Tongariro office – not only potting up but a doing a general tidy up as well. Shirley has been busy over the winter propogating many native seeds. We now have lots of juvenile Pittosporums, Akeake, Five Fingers and Kahikateas. The team had a busy time changing the seedlings over to bigger pots.
1 January to 9 January 2012
Posted: Tue 27 Dec 2011