Better start getting ready

Top of the list should be the hunting licence, and probably the regulations booklet. Check out the Fish and Game website for the most up-to-date information. May 2 seems to be the opening day this year. Remember you must have your licence with you whenever and wherever you go hunting. Don’t try to use the licence from last year. They are not upgradable, exchangeable or refundable. If you lose your licence report it to Fish and Game and they will sort it out. F&G have an online licence system, or you can call their free phone licence number 0800 542 362, business hours only, $5 booking fee. Or you can visit any Fish and Game office or regional licence agent.

Hunting kit reminders:

• Game bird hunting licence, regulations booklet. Carry firearms licence at all times.
• Confirm access with landowners.
• Get permit to hunt on Fish & Game and DOC land.
• Fix the maimai: leaks, rotten boards seating etc.
• Clean decoys.
• Vaccinations and worming for the dog.
• Check regulations for the region you are hunting in.
• Hunt ethically and responsibly.
• Don’t drink and hunt. Alcohol impairs judgement.
• Be a tidy kiwi – take your rubbish when you leave.

Basic safety rules:

• Shotgun in tip-top condition. Check sighting.
• Treat every firearm as loaded.
• Store firearms and ammunition safely.
• Always point firearms in a safe direction.
• Load only when ready to fire.
• Always, always - identify your target.
• Check the firing zone.

Keep it happy hunting 

With Duck Shooting seasons not far away it is well to remember about obligations of farm/land owners and of the recreational  visitors on the property.

Owners do have obligations under Health  and Safety legislation.

The first thing to take into account is that  this is not a paperwork nightmare. There is not lengthy form-filling required nor a need to sign people on and off the farm. It is really a matter of thinking about where the hunters will go, identifying hazards and risks the hunters wouldn’t reasonably expect in those areas, and warning them about those risks and how to avoid them.

The recommendation is to have a conversation with the hunter or hunter in charge of the party to pass on that information. Make a note in your farm diary about what you told them. Most people usually ring up the night (or during the week) before to make sure it’s all ok, so that’s a good time to have the discussion. 

Think about the sort of things to warn them about. Remember the things they wouldn’t reasonably expect (so if they are townies you might have to make allowance for that) in the areas they will be in. Some examples: Dangers from things like tree-felling, spraying or other work – if there is tree  felling in another area, are the trucks using the same tracks? Areas of instability such as paddocks with unexpected tomos or subject  to landslips. Aggressive stock that are near where they will be hunting. You might also let them know about communications (e.g. no cell coverage) so they can make alternate arrangements if they need to.

It’s also a good to get an idea of their timings, and tell them they should let you know if these change. You also need to make sure that all the people who are in the area (staff, contractors, other visitors / hunters) are aware of each other. 

If a visitor trips over a tree-root or stone, a property owner or occupier is unlikely to be held responsible for the other person’s carelessness. In addition, if the property owner or occupier could not reasonably have been expected to know of a hazard, they cannot be held responsible for any harm that occurs to a customer or client.

Remember the General Rule - as the person in charge of the workplace you are legally required to point out specific hazards, which you know could harm the person and which the person wouldn’t normally expect to encounter.

Happy hunting season.

New self re-setting traps for Pukaha

Pukaha has been looking at a wider range of options for predator control in the reserve and the surrounding buffer zone. Then thanks to a generous donation from Pub Charity, they were able to purchase a number of A24 self resetting stoat and rat traps.

You can check them out at www.goodnature.co.nz

The initial consignment of traps are for their buffer zone provided by the Greater Wellington Regional Council and are also near the aviaries at the Visitor Centre. This February they will be rolling out these devices into their ‘front face’ to supplement the current DoC 250 traps.

The total number of rats caught in the 12 month period September 2014 - September 2015 in both the reserve and buffer zone was 1530. The number of mustelids (weasels, stoats and ferrets) was 104.

Pukaha are continuing to look at innovative predator control techniques and will keep supporters updated on progress.

Picture:

Concrete, concrete and more concrete was the order of the day when the footing was laid for the  new free flight aviary. The construction was underway thanks to the teams at Rigg-Zschokke Ltd and Higgins Contractors, The team at Puckaha Mt Bruce were hoping that all going to plan they are aiming for an opening date in late February 2016.

This is mother (Audrey, front row middle). The group includes daughters Christine, Diane and Lois plus sister-in-law Betty Elliott, then daughters Yvonne and Alison, and nephews Gary, Colin Worsley and cousin Barbara Heap.

“We had a great day at the Pritt homestead which included a luncheon with about 40 friends and relations. The weather held well till 4.30pm when a glorious 28mls of rain fell  over the next few hours.

The following day most of the group set off  on the Forgotten World tour, leaving from Taurmarunui by bus to Whangamomona and then rail cart back (the carts are converted golf carts). This little adventure was one Audrey’s 90th birthday presents.

The Pritt family have been involved with DUNZ since 1975.

In conjunction with Kaiwaiwai Dairies Ltd, Ducks Unlimited NZ won joint first place in the River Story Award at a recent Morgan Foundation Dinner.

Held at the Ridges Hotel in Wellington, the Award recognises conservation efforts to improve water quality before it enters lakes and waterways.

Kaiwaiwai Dairies received the award for the construction of a  serpentine waterway on their farm to slow the passage of the water down, thereby allowing more time for nature to extract nutrients from the water.

DUNZ was recognised for the effort we have put into Wairio (Southern Wairarapa) for not only the creation of water fowl habitat but for also slowing down the water so when it enters Lake Wairarapa it has a greatly reduced nutrient loading.

Our thanks go to all the organisations that have contributed time and money over the last 10 years.

The family of Joanne and Gareth Morgan of Wellington established this charitable trust primarily for the purpose of reducing wealth disparities between people. In particular the focus of the Foundation is on improving the lives of the poorest folk in the world and enabling people to participate in their society and workplaces to the full extent of their potential. The Foundation work extends in New Zealand to public interest research and education as well as to investment in conservation and natural environmental enhancement.

The trustees are Joanne, Gareth and independent Charles Purcell. The advisory board for the trust comprises the Morgan’s four children –  Ruby, Floyd, Jessi and Sam. The Manager of the Trust is Margaret Mather, whose responsibilities include liaising with applicants for funding, administering the grants programme, and ensuring the Foundation participates in philanthropic community activities to the extent the trustee’s desire. The trust has no religious orientation although willingly finances religious-based organisations doing work that satisfies their criteria.

Thanks to the Nikau Foundation, Wairio  wetland has again been granted a generous  amount toward development for the wetland.  The Richard and Doreen Evans Charitable  Trust provided $4000 in the 2015 Nikau  Foundation funding round. 

Conditions placed on the grant: 

• It must be used for the purpose applied for. 
• The Trust must receive a feedback form from within a year of the grant being made. 
• The Trust requires an update of progress towards completion of the project. Also  forward two or three photos and an update  that can be used on their website / annual  report / newsletters. Before and after photos  are especially welcome with captions. Talent  release permissions are DUNZs responsibility. 
• Please acknowledge Nikau Foundation contribution to DUNZ in any publications or  any other means of release – The Foundation  would like to become better known throughout  the Wellington region. 
• Our logo is available to use in your  publications. 
• Please keep informed through our website and  “Like” us on facebook. 

Should any of you wish to know more go to  the Foundation’s web site,  www.nikaufoundation.org.nz. 

New GM 

The Nikau Foundation has appointed a new General Manager who brings a wealth of  experience from the community and voluntary sector. Louise Parkin has had 25 years working  with charitable and philanthropic organisations  both in New Zealand and internationally. 

Ms Parkin had been at Nikau Foundation as  their Philanthropy Advisor for six months  before taking up the role of General Manager  in January this year. 

In her spare time, she teaches the Japanese martial art of aikido to adults and children. Her  personal philanthropy is for the benefit of the   environment and international aid. 

The Nikau Foundation is part of a world-wide   network of community foundations set up  to benefit a specific geographic area, in this  case the Wellington region. The Foundation manages 22 endowment funds that benefit the  arts, education, social and youth projects, the  environment and beyond. It does this through  the generosity of local donors. The funds it  manages grew 100 percent in the last year.

It is sad Jan Abel has decided to resign her position as secretary and membership coordinator for DUNZ. She has been much of the glue that has held us together for several years. Jan will be missed for many reasons, she has done a great job of coordinating and organising many events and keeping us in line with her management skills.

Jan will be missed. But somewhere out there is another person who has the energy and skill to take over this position. It is not full time and it is interesting. And there is an hourly rate.

Contact John Bishop or Jan for more details.

Liz Brook, Editor

Hope you all had a great Christmas and happy New Year.

1. Membership renewal time is coming up for 2016/2017 year. Hopefully they will be in the post at the end of March/early April.
2. DUNZ is looking for a new me (Jan) to take over from this role. I have returned to  fulltime work and am finding I can’t do justice to the Administration role for DU.
   We need someone to do the tasks such as the membership renewal, organising the conference/AGM, email/enquiries from the DU website, emails/enquiries from DU membership, and banking.
   If you want to find out more about this role then contact me - it is only part-time. If you are interested in applying for the role then contact John Cheyne.
   Thanks,

Jan Abel, Administration

Best wishes for 2016 and may it be a satisfying year for everyone.

The challenges for DU remain very much the same with wetlands under increasing threats from climate change and drainage. Amendments are proposed by the Government this year to the Resource Management Act (RMA) and we need to be vigilant to ensure the current protection measures for wetlands under the RMA are not eroded away.

The Directors have decided that the 2016 AGM will be held in Taupo and are currently checking suitable venues. Venue and dates will be confirmed shortly. Looking forward to seeing you all again then.

John Cheyne

Breeding success continues at Mt Bruce Pukaha

Shore Plover:
26 chicks were raised with some released at Waikawa and some at Motutapu. Four remain at Pukaha to continue with the breeding programme.

Pateke:
18 ducklings from the two breeding pairs at Pukaha. These were sent to the pre-release site, Peacock Springs near Christchurch, before they are released into the wild.

Whio:
2 male and 1 female ducklings hatched and reared by a pair at Pukaha have been sent to the pre-release site at Turangi. 13 ducklings were hatched from eggs collected from wild sites and of these 9 are male and 4 are females. They will remain at Mt Bruce Pukaha.

Floodplain revegetation can alleviate flood severity (UK)

A study by an international team of scientists, led by the Universities of Birmingham and Southampton in the UK has shown that strategic planting of trees on floodplains could reduce the height of flooding in towns downstream by up to 20 percent, according to research published in the journal Earth Surface Processes and Landforms.

6th National NRM Knowledge Conference (National)

The 6th National NRM Knowledge Conference is being held in Coffs Harbour on June 6-8 2016. The theme this year is People, Planet and Profits. Field Trips will explore projects ranging from innovative riverine management in the Upper Orara River, to agricultural and horticultural production in the Coffs hinterland, the complexity of the Bellinger River & Coffs Creek estuary, a look at the precious World Heritage Rainforest at Dorrigo and culturally significant headlands including the unique Muttonbird Island. The full conference programme is available on the  conference website.

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