Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house

Date:  11 March 2025

The invasive plant Cuscuta campestris – also known as “golden dodder”, and more commonly referred to as simply “cuscuta” – was previously only known to be in north Waikato. That was until it was identified near the Piako River in 2024, on a stretch of the Kopuatai peat dome in DOC’s Hauraki operations district.

Cuscuta is a parasitic plant that sucks nutrients from other plants, and has the potential to smother native plant species. It can grow on a wide variety of plants, including pasture crops and waterfowl food, compromising both recreational and biodiversity values wherever it is found.

Biodiversity Ranger Rachel Langman says C. campestris was discovered by DOC staff at Kopuatai while doing routine trap checks. They called on colleagues from DOC’s Waikato district for initial support in how to address the infestation.

“Kopuatai is a Ramsar site and an important habitat for threatened native species like matuku-hūrepo/bittern, mātātā/fern birds, and native fish,” says Rachel.

“Cuscuta presents a real threat to those species if left unchecked. New Zealand’s native species are unique and special, and most are only found here. Once they’re gone, they’re gone forever.”

To address the Kopuatai infestation, staff from DOC and Waikato Regional Council collaborated on a plan, which saw a large digger rolled out onto the site in January.

The digger’s role was to remove the top 10cm of soil – containing cuscuta seed – and burying that soil in a 1m deep hole so the seeds couldn’t germinate. This will prevent the weed from growing or being spread to other areas through human activity.

“Although the digger method seems drastic, it was identified as the best approach to controlling the infestation before it became unmanageable,” says Rachel.

“We expect grasses, which are not a host of cuscuta, to regenerate where the topsoil has been removed.”

“Our team will continue to monitor the area regularly to prevent the reinfestation of this plant pest.”

If anyone sees cuscuta on land managed by DOC, they should call 0800 DOC HOT and, if possible, provide the exact location so rangers can investigate.

Aotearoa New Zealand has more threatened species than anywhere else in the world, with over 4000 species considered threatened or at risk of extinction. It is vital we all work together to bring nature back from the brink, by removing pests and restoring ecosystems to create safe havens for native wildlife.

Background information

Cuscuta campestris seeds can be spread by seed and plant fragments being moved by water, vehicles, equipment, clothing or animals – hence the work alongside the river. Seeds can also survive the digestive tracts of birds and animals.

If left unmanaged, cuscuta can grow up to five metres in two months, smothering surrounding plants.

One cuscuta plant can produce up to 16,000 seeds. Infestations can spread to surrounding areas including other wetlands and farmland, where it can reduce the food source for ducks, lower crop production and has found to be potentially toxic to cattle.

The Convention on Wetlands was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975. Kopuatai Wetland is one of seven Ramsar sites in New Zealand. The largest unaltered raised bog in New Zealand, it is surrounded by mineralized swampland and associated lagoons.

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Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house

Date:  05 March 2025

The taonga were released on the predator-free island in Fiordland’s Tamatea/Dusky Sound on Friday, after two days in acclimatisation aviaries on the island.

The manu were bred and raised at The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust and Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch before being flown to Invercargill, where they were met by representatives from Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka on behalf of Kaitiaki Rōpū Ki Murihiku.

Joshua Kingipotiki and Alex Taurima from Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka accompanied the manu on their helicopter journey to the island, welcoming them with karakia and waiata.

“Being part of this release was a big learning experience and rather humbling, as it was the first time that I have been in the presence of kākāriki karaka,” Joshua Kingipotiki says.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Kākāriki Karaka Species Representative Yvette Couch-Lewis says it is exciting to have mana whenua representatives from Ōraka-Aparima leading the tikanga and kawa of welcoming the kākāriki karaka onto the motu, with assistance from a kaitiaki ranger.

“Ngāi Tahu is definitely on a journey with this manu,” Yvette Couch-Lewis says.

“Kākāriki karaka are our smallest parrots, but they have a great deal of mana and are proof that the best things can come in small packages.”

“For me it is a very emotional process seeing these manu, which have been born and raised in captivity, being released into the wild. There is a sense of amnesia associated with engaging with this manu because we haven’t had the opportunity in generations to observe them in their natural environment.

“Translocations such as this are important because they build the population up so that one day we can engage with kakariki karaka again.”

DOC Kākāriki Karaka Operations Manager Wayne Beggs says setting up a secure new wild site is a huge step forward for the recovery of the species.

“Kākāriki karaka are extremely vulnerable to introduced predators, so finding safe places for them to live and breed in the wild is vitally important for the species’ survival.

“The predator-free beech and rimu forest on Pukenui/Anchor Island should be a great site for kākāriki karaka to flourish.”

Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust (ICWT) CEO Rob Kinney says the last six months of intensive husbandry by staff at ICWT is a testament to their dedication and expertise in caring for this critically endangered bird species.

“We are proud of our partnership with DOC and our involvement in this important conservation project.”

The vision of the recently released kākāriki karaka recovery strategy, Te Ara Mōrehu, is that kākāriki karaka will be thriving independently in the wild, with ten self-sustaining populations in the Ngāi Tahu takiwā in the next 20 years.

The recovery programme thanks tourism operator RealNZ and specialist insole company Formthotics for their significant donations which made the translocation and follow-up monitoring possible.

“RealNZ’s purpose is to help the world fall in love with conservation, and one of our flagship events aligned to this purpose is our annual Conservation Ball, aligning with the Department of Conservation to identify key projects that would benefit from our support,” says RealNZ CEO Dave Beeche.

“It’s incredible to see the funds raised from the 2023 Conservation Ball in action, assisting with the translocation of these critically endangered manu to Pukenui Anchor Island.”

Wayne says a lot of planning, effort, and cost goes into a translocation like this, and its success relies on a range of people and groups working together.

“We plan to do more translocations in the future. The NZ Nature Fund is raising money for this work and the public can contribute through their website.”

The kākāriki karaka recovery programme is supported by The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust, Orana Wildlife Park, Canterbury University, Mainpower, and the NZ Nature Fund.

Related links

Background information

Kaitiaki Rōpū Ki Murihiku represent the four southern Ngāi Tahu Papatipu Rūnanga: Te Rūnanga o Hokonui, Ōraka-Aparima Rūnaka, Waihōpai Rūnaka, and Te Rūnaka o Awarua.

With about 450 left in the wild, kākāriki karaka are the rarest mainland forest bird in Aotearoa. The population naturally fluctuates based on environmental conditions.

They were once plentiful across the country but proved an easy meal for introduced predators and were affected by habitat loss, which saw their numbers dwindle.

Because they nest and roost in holes in trees, kākāriki karaka are extremely vulnerable to rats, stoats and cats.

The species was twice declared extinct in the past (in 1919 and 1965) before being rediscovered in the late 1980s.

Anchor Island/Pukenui is already home to a range of threatened bird species including kākāpō.

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Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house

Date:  03 March 2025

An annual event on the North Island hunting calendar, the competition is managed by DOC’s Maniapoto team with support from the NZ Deerstalkers Association. It opens on 15 March and concludes on 27 April with a prizegiving at the DOC Pureora workshop.

DOC Senior Ranger Community Ray Scrimgeour – who has a long association with the event – says this year’s competition puts the focus on the “dynamic” deer herd found within Pureora Forest.

“From our own data and reports from hunters, we’re seeing deer in different condition depending on where they’re taken in the forest,” Ray says.

In some parts of the forest, particularly around the forest’s edges, the deer are in good condition. In more remote areas there are indications the condition of the animals is poor – suggesting a diet of less palatable plants and high dependency on litter (leaf and vegetation) fall.

Less palatable plants dominate in forests where high numbers of deer eat through appetising plants, reducing forest diversity and ecosystem health.

“We’re aware the Pureora Forest deer herd is increasing, so the competition – and any deer hunting in the area – helps us keep deer numbers in balance with the habitat, resulting in healthy animals and a healthy ecosystem,” Ray says.

“We get a range of information about the deer herd from the competition entries we receive, as well as the discussions we have with the hunters who participate in the competition. It’s very valuable for us.

“Although a big stag with impressive antlers is always a sought-after prize, we’re also encouraging hunters to target hinds across the forest, as analysing their jaw bones will give us very helpful data on the herd.”

There are no pig hunting categories in the competition this year. DOC has recently completed an aerial predator control operation across parts of the forest to protect the forest’s significant stands of native trees and birds such as kokako, kākā and kākāriki.

Because dogs are at risk from scavenging affected animals, pig hunting categories have been removed from the competition this year.

The competition is free to enter for any hunter with a current DOC permit to hunt in the area.

Entries can be sighted at one of nine recording centres throughout the competition and all entries registered at the prizegiving are eligible to win category and spot prizes.

Competition prizes have been donated by a range of organisations in the hunting sector and by local businesses. Many of these sponsors have consistently supported the competition over many years.

For more information on the Pureora Hunting Competition, including this year’s competition categories and rules, visit Pureora Hunting Competition.

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Source: Police investigating after shots fired at Hastings house

Date:  03 March 2025

HealthPost Nature Trust will carry out restoration work in the Triangle Flat area of the farm park. They aim to build a 3 km-long low predator fence across the base of the spit to provide a line of defence against reinvading introduced predators. The farm and crossing road area will remain open to the public.

Pax Leetch and Ellie Miller, who manage land next to the farm park, have successfully applied to graze land from the west of Old Man Range to Greenhills. This area will remain as a working farm.

These concessions run for five years while DOC works with our Treaty partners —Iwi Chairs of Ngāti Tama, Ngāti Rārua and Te Ātiawa, and Manawhenua ki Mohua — to develop a long-term strategic vision for the site, which is rich in ecological and cultural values and a popular visitor destination.

Last September, the Department of Conservation (DOC) ran an expression of interest process inviting parties to put in proposals for managing these sites as the previous license to graze was ending after 27 years.

Eight proposals were received and an evaluation panel made up of Manawhenua ki Mohua, Nelson Marlborough Conservation Board representatives and DOC staff decided on the successful applicants.

HealthPost Nature Trust will also fund 50 per cent of a salary for a DOC ranger to be based in Pūponga, who will spend half of their time working on the Trust’s biodiversity initiatives and half keeping the popular area maintained for visitors to enjoy.

They will work closely with Pest Free Onetahua, a large-scale conservation project removing pests on Onetahua/Farewell Spit and the surrounding areas.

Triangle Flat is a very significant archaeological site, and any proposed restoration would need to be careful not to impact these important values.

The Trust’s agreement will expand the significant restoration work they have been carrying out at Cape Farewell since 2017 to benefit burrowing seabirds, including creating a 3-hectare predator-free sanctuary.

The Trust has worked in partnership with Manawhenua ki Mohua and DOC for several years which has led to pakahā/fluttering shearwaters translocated to the area.

DOC Golden Bay Operations Manager Ross Trotter says Onetahua/Farewell Spit Nature Reserve is a unique ecosystem and a significant biodiversity hotspot, with several rare plants and more than 90 bird species recorded in the area. It’s recognised as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.

“HealthPost Nature Trust’s vision is exciting because if we can get predators down to really low numbers, Onetahua would be a much-needed safe haven for some of our threatened species in the area. It might also mean more rare species could be released into the area in the future.”

Ross says DOC was impressed with the calibre of the proposals and wants to thank everyone who submitted an expression of interest.

“We believe we’ve got a great outcome for the future of Pūponga Farm Park that is in the best interest of this really special part of the country.”

HealthPost Nature Trust have also released a statement: From Farmland to Wildlife Haven: Major Restoration Project at Triangle Flat

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Simon Humphries, Head of the Labour Inspectorate, emphasises the importance of understanding these regulations:

“On three and a half days each year, almost all shops must close under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990. These are Christmas Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and until 1pm on ANZAC Day.”

“Easter Sunday, 20 April 2025, is a restricted trading day under the Shop Trading Hours Act 1990, meaning most shops must remain closed. However, certain shops may open if they meet specific conditions.”

Those businesses permitted to trade include places such as a dairy, petrol station, pharmacy, restaurant or cafe, hairdressers, and barbers. Farmers and crafts markets are also included in this category. These places have certain conditions they need to meet, but they can be open.”

“Employees have the right to refuse work on Easter Sunday without providing a reason. This right applies to all shop employees, including those in exempted shops like dairies and petrol stations, as well as staff performing non-trading work such as shelf-stacking or stocktaking.”

Employers must notify employees of this right in writing between 4 and 8 weeks before Easter Sunday. Failure to provide proper notice means employees cannot be compelled to work on that day.

“We want both employers and employees to understand that they have responsibilities and a process to follow when either an employer wants an employee to work on Easter Sunday, and where employees don’t want to work that day.”

Simon understands there has been confusion over the years on exactly which types of shops can open on restricted trading days. Some shops can also open on restricted trading days because they have an area exemption. These are generally given in tourist areas such as Taupō or Queenstown.

Councils can put in place local policies that allow shops within their area, or parts of it, to trade on Easter Sunday. Councils create local policies, and then notify MBIE.

“Generally, what we see is that people know the rules and are doing things right, what we’re keen to see is this extended across the board,” says Simon.

If you suspect a business is breaching the Easter trading laws, notify MBIE via our online reporting form.

Labour Inspectorate complaints(external link) — Employment New Zealand

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The marketing boost is estimated to result in over 23,000 additional international visitors spending an extra $100 million across the country.

Tourism New Zealand will carry out the marketing activities, which will focus initially on encouraging visitors from Australia, USA, China, India, Germany and Korea. It will start rolling out immediately to increase international arrivals around the regions through winter, spring and into early next year.

International marketing works well, with around 14% of New Zealand’s international holiday visitors directly influenced by Tourism New Zealand’s marketing. 

The funding comes from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). Other tourism initiatives in 2025 include: 

• $500,000 for marketing New Zealand as the ‘go now’ destination for Australians
• $9 million for New Zealand Cycle Trail Fund to enhance the Great Rides 
• $3 million for a Regional Tourism Boost
• $3 million to secure more business events for New Zealand
• $2.45 million for the second round of the Regional Events Promotion Fund
• additional $30 million to support conservation visitor related experiences.

Read the Minister’s announcement.

Tourism turbocharge takes New Zealand to the world(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz

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The Fund aims to strengthen capability, capacity, skills and networks between Māori and the science and innovation system and increase understanding of how research can contribute to the aspirations of Māori organisations and deliver benefit for New Zealand. 
 
A total of $3.9 million (excl. GST) has been awarded across the 16 projects over the next two years. MBIE Contestable Investments Manager Alan Coulson says these projects focus on innovation, climate resilience and community organisation that will benefit communities and grow the Māori economy.
 
“Projects selected through this latest funding round aim to improve aquaculture, find innovative solutions to issues affecting our seas, and prepare for future extreme weather events. These are subjects that impact all of us and I look forward to seeing the outcomes and benefits of this work for our economy, environment and people nationwide,” he says. 
 
MBIE Director Māori Science, Innovation and Technology Dr Willy-John Martin says improving the connection between science and Māori aspirations enhances the impact of our research and builds greater potential for the future of New Zealand. 

“The enhanced capabilities of today lead to the transformative scientific achievements of tomorrow. The science connections and outcomes created from these projects will further realise Māori potential and help to grow New Zealand’s prosperity.”
 
Projects supported through the 2025 Te Pūnaha Hihiko: Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund include:

• Hatchery Technology Development for the Aquaculture of Freshwater Crayfish and Mussels – a project aiming to develop a freshwater aquaculture system to produce climate resilient food while researching how freshwater species important to Māori can be appropriately managed.
• Kaitiaki whai whakamāramatanga: assessing seaweed bloom events for improved ecosystem management – a project looking at surging seaweed blooms, fuelled by nutrient overload, reduced herbivory, and climate change. This project will develop tools and provide access to technology to make informed decisions, build resilience, and guide future research into drivers and potential uses of stranded seaweed.
• Enabling Māori communities to respond to and mitigate the impacts of frequent and severe extreme weather events. Ka Tuku Te Toro ki Uta, Ka Tuku Te Toro a Tai – This collaborative project aims to support the Makarika community and Mata to effectively respond to climate challenges. The goal is to build a model of climate resilience that can be adapted by other indigenous communities facing similar challenges.
• Community based emergency management: Mobilising disaster science for effective Māori response and recovery – As climate disasters increase, Māori face growing threats to their lands, homes, people, and culture. The project will establish a Māori Disaster Practitioners Network—informed by research and supported by domestic and international expertise—will address gaps in understanding and implementation to empower Māori leadership in times of crisis with evidence-based approaches to better respond to and recover from disasters.
• Increasing engineering and mātauranga capability to develop sustainable natural and built environment solutions for communities to prosper – This project will provide research, science and innovation to support engineering projects in a sector that seeks to embrace te ao Māori and support uptake and application of engineering by Māori communities.

A full list of the funded projects can be found on the Te Pūnaha Hihiko: Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund page.

Te Pūnaha Hihiko: Vision Mātauranga Capability Fund 2025 recipients