Kauri Protection

It involves kauri ambassador work, kauri dieback monitoring and surveillance, and track maintenance within the Kaimai Range. Undertaking community trapping projects which are primarily based on existing DOC tracks to reduce the risk of any spread of kauri dieback into the Kaimai Ranges. This trapping program is primarily focused on reconnecting the community to the ngahere and increase the social license for wider pest control activities. The operational Kauri protection work (defined as monitoring, surveillance, or control) will be delivered on public conservation land (PCL). This project will build capacity and capability in hapū to undertake conservation mahi in their rohe having been a long-held aspiration for their people.

  • Phytophthora Agathidicida

    Reducing the harmful effects of Phytophthora agathidicida (PA) by preventing, where possible, the spread of PA and minimizing its impacts on the Kaimai Kauri forests, culture, communities, and economy.

  • Kauri Dieback Disease

    Reducing the possible spread and impact of kauri dieback if infection is observed and developing a mana whenua led plan to manage any infected sites if this occurs.

  • Protecting Kauri Trees

    Protecting kauri trees and stands with special values from kauri dieback involving working with agencies to facilitate controlled access to kauri forests where it compromises the future of and/or protection of kauri.

  • Matauranga Māori

    Providing for Māori knowledge, values and approaches to manage kauri dieback disease and prevent its spread. Having mana whenua fully participate in biodiversity management and biosecurity which includes planning and undertaking biodiversity monitoring and pest animal control in their rohe (on existing DOC tracks) as a means of re-engaging whanau, hapū and iwi to the ngahere.

  • Pest Control

    Building social license for pest control in the Kaimai range. Reducing animal pest numbers (possums, rats, mustelids) to levels which assist in restoring the mauri of the ngahere.

  • Preserving Tracks

    Preserving tracks and DOC assets with regular upgrades and maintenance in partnership with DOC. Kaimai Kauri has two teams each focused on their specialised field of kauri protection, these teams are the Kauri Track Ambassadors and the Biodiversity Team.

Project Area

Project Area

Kauri Track Ambassadors

The Kauri Track Ambassadors lead the public advocacy work, connecting with the community, schools, marae, hapū, iwi and government agencies. Engagement with the general public will be at all access points to the Kaimai forest within the project area of Kaimai Kauri. The various responsibilities and mahi will consist of undertaking Kauri Dieback advocacy at DOC tracks with the general public and track users, and also ensuring that track users are aware of their obligations to keep the Kaimai Ranges protected from kauri dieback. Other work will include wash station maintenance. Public advocacy includes community wide Kauri dieback advocacy work which involves community group presentations, school presentations and wider engagement with research agencies to advance the Kaupapa.

Biodiversity Team

This team will focus on the health of the entire forest, to enhance the mauri of the ngahere under the canopy of the kauri. Kauri dieback monitoring and surveillance. All access points to the Kaimai forest within the rohe of Kaimai Kauri will be part of the kauri dieback monitoring and surveillance programme. The monitoring and surveillance method will follow best practice standards and data will be recorded into the relevant data system provided and will be openly accessible to DOC for research purposes. All infected sites will have a management plan produced for them.

Kauri Dieback Monitoring and Surveillance

All access points to the Kaimai forest within the rohe of Kaimai Kauri will be part of the kauri dieback monitoring and surveillance programme. The monitoring and surveillance method will follow best practice standards and data will be recorded into the relevant data system provided and will be openly accessible to DOC for research purposes. All infected sites will have a management plan produced for them.

Track Maintenance

Includes supporting DOC Rangers to assist with ongoing track maintenance in relation to Kauri protection. This work will include keeping tracks, drains, culverts clear of debris and windfall so water can easily drain off, laying metal/aggregate and repairing damaged sections of track. Other work on the kauri tracks includes at times monitoring the condition and safety of tracks and removing pest plants.

Pest Control

Possum, rats and mustelid control to levels which assist in restoring the mauri of the ngahere. This will be achieved through the introduction of small-scale community trapping projects in the Kaimai Ranges. The purpose behind this trapping is primarily engagement with the community due to the significant risk that kauri dieback presents when establishing trap lines. The methods will follow best practise standards and data will be recorded into the relevant data system.

Training Completed

  • Essential First Aid
  • Myrtle rust and Kauri dieback Plant Pathogen
  • CIMS Training
  • Growsafe
  • Chainsaw Safety Certificate Unit Standard 6916, 6917, 43
  • 4x4 Training
  • Basics of High Performance Predator Control Course
  • Predator Trapping Methos Micro-credential
  • Essential First Aid Unit Standards 6402,6401 or 26551,26552
  • Comprehensive First Aid Unit Standards CPRL2
  • Workplace First Aid Unit Standards 6400,6401.6402
  • Outdoor First Aid Unit Standard 424

Governance

Kaimai Kauri LTD will be the primary contractor and fund holder to the MKMT and DOC for the delivery of outcomes and services. The Company, Kaimai Kauri LTD will be 50% owned by Ngati te Wai Hapū Settlement Trust and 50% owned by Te Whanau a Tauwhao ki Otawhiwhi Hapū Settlement Trust. The two hapū Chairs will sit as directors on the company representing their respective hapū entity and membership register. The General Manager (GM) will be Riki Nelson who has been leading the kauri protection kaupapa on behalf of mana whenua for over 4 years and has over 20 years of project management experience. The role will come with hapū mandates representing the hapū in biosecurity and biodiversity management. The Administration role will be full time supporting the GM with monthly reports to MKMT, DOC and the hapu governance boards and directors. This structure will allow Kaimai Kauri to focus on kauri protection, biosecurity and track maintenance across the kauri forests and to be proactive in biodiversity management including pest control in the northern section of Kaimai Mamaku achieving the hapu’s aspirations as kaitiaki.