Trapping aim for Titirangi to be pest-free by 2023

CATCHING PESTS: Whaia Titirangi, the project aiming to restore native plantations to Kaiti Hill/Titirangi, has added heft, thanks to the sponsorship of 150 traps by Eastland Port. Preparing to set the traps are Whaia Titirangi kaitiaki Kawai Joe (back), and (middle from left), Samantha Akroyd, Riley Broughton, Juan Kopa, Nevarn Robin-Waimoana, Zyon Swannell and Waina Manuel. In front are Brooke Reedy (left), Te Whaitiri Tangohau-Kakau and Mihikura Te Pairi. Picture supplied

Whaia Titirangi, an operation aiming to restore Kaiti Hill/Titirangi to native plantations through kaitiakitanga, has received 150 predator traps sponsored by Eastland Port to help achieve the goal of making the maunga pest-free by 2023.

Eastland Port sponsored the “Trapinator” and “DOC 200” traps which will help remove rats, stoats, weasels, hedgehogs, mice and possums from Titirangi.

Whaia Titirangi kaitiaki Te Whaitiri Tangohau-Kakau said, “Given the maunga is in the heart of the city, we do see a lot of pests, particularly rats.

“We need to remove as many of the pests as possible, as rats and stoats kill birds and the possums are eating our native plants.

“There are a large number of native plant species that cannot reproduce without the specific involvement of birds — it’s only those certain birds that will eat a seed and disperse it.

“Our ultimate goal is to become pest-free by 2023 so we can reintroduce native birds such as popokatea (whiteheads), but to do this we need to get our pest numbers down to 5 percent — we are currently at 90 percent.”

Mr Tangohau-Kakau admitted it was an ambitious goal but he and the team felt optimistic they would get there, especially with the recent support from local businesses and organisations such as Eastland Port and Gisborne Intermediate that were willing to invest in the operation.

Eastland Group chief operating officer, Andrew Gaddum said, “We have seen a dramatic improvement on the maunga since the Whaia Titirangi kaitiaki have been up there.

“We’re glad to do our bit so they can continue their great work and achieve their aspirations for this important landmark.”

Over the next two months Whaia Titirangi will be cutting tracks, laying trap lines and monitoring stations.

“We are setting up three trap lines with the first starting from behind the church, wrapping up and around the maunga, past Onepoto and back to the church again. The second line will be 300 metres away in case the pests get through the first one, and the third trap line will fill any spaces,” said Mr Tangohau-Kakau.

The group aim to have all 125 rat and 25 possum traps installed by late June.