Seventh Successful Season

NZ Dotterel Watch is a programme focused on assisting the survival of the threatened New Zealand Dotterel, a native bird that inhabits coastal areas in only a few regions throughout New Zealand. The programme was conceived in 1995 when workers at the Martha Mine observed dotterels nesting on the waste rock embankment's haul road. It developed into a partnership between the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Newmont Waihi Gold (NWG).

Since the programme's inception, NWG has supported it by providing a vehicle and funding. DOC uses the funding to support a ranger who organises a team of minders. They identify nesting areas throughout the Coromandel Peninsula and help protect them from the many dangers that threaten them. The dedication and commitment of the minders on the beaches – some in remote areas - is vital to the success of the programme. The funding also pays for a predator control programme and public education, including signage at beaches. This helps toraise awareness about the presence of nests and the need to protect them from beachgoers, domestic pets, predators and vehicles.

During the 2009 - 2010 season, throughout all the known nesting sites on Coromandel beaches, there were 100 fledged chicks and four hatchings aged up to six weeks old that are currently yet to fledge. An increase in breeding pairs was reported at an increased number of sites. Productivity value (the average number of chicks fledged per breeding pair) is higher than the previous few seasons.

Management of dotterel numbers is considered effective if productivity values are greater than 0.5 for three consecutive years or longer.* This season is the seventh consecutive season where productivity greater than 0.5 has been achieved.

* Reference:
Dowding, J.E and Davis, A.M 2007. New Zealand dotterel (Charadrius obscurus) recovery plan, 2004-14. Threatened Species Recovery Plan 58, NZ Department of Conservation, 2007. Science and Technical publishing.

Predators

To keep predators under control trapping was undertaken at most beaches on the east coast from Waikawau to Whangamata from mid- August to mid-February. This was carried out by DOC ranger Andy Wills and a number of volunteers.

This season saw an increased number of predators caught over the previous season for all species targeted. Two adult dotterels were killed during egg incubation. Cats or stoats were the suspected attackers. The main predator species is the hedgehog; 170 hedgehogs were caught in traps throughout the season. Other culprits are rats, stoats, feral cats and weasels.

Whatever it takes ...

It's a motto they use at Pathways Health and put into practice at Fantail Garden.

Pathways creates mental health and wellness opportunities that enable people to live their dreams. The gardens in Waihi were set up as a pre-employment project ten years ago.

They moved to the current site on Newmont Waihi Gold land at Boyd Road six years ago and became Fantail Garden. All the produce from the gardens is certified organic and there is a large variety of vegetables, fruit and flowers grown there.

The busy summer harvest is almost over now and the gardens are being made ready for the next season's crops. Project co-ordinator Jenny Parks is justifiably proud of the project she helps to run and the benefits it provides to members of the community who need a helping hand as they recover from mental illness.

"This project provides spiritual, emotional and physical support," says Jenny. "People come here to learn skills required to re-enter the work force, skills required to grow an organic garden and people benefit from lots of healthy vegetables while socialising with others. Those who attend benefit from, and value the gardens as a therapeutic, organic environment."

As well as making company land available, NWG assists the project by supplying tools and materials and, recently, repairs to the tunnel house (pictured above).