Conservation Work

Throughout the district we have noticed an increase of native wildlife e.g. pateke. kereru, kiwi and even kakareki have been spotted. The value of years of consistent pest control is important if we want to save what we have left of our wildlife. Everyone can play a part. Amazing footage above of our efforts. Last week not only did we have a paradise duck land on the high coastal cliffs to investigate the oi burrows (Grey-faced petrel) but an inquisitive kiwi wanders around h

https://vimeo.com/488325601 Watch this video and you will see that something very exciting has been happening out on the Taurawhata headland recently. The decoy gannet colony has been getting a friendly visitor for over a month now. This yet to be named fella seems to be very keen on a few of our lovely looking lady birds even if they keep giving him a cold wing. It is a hopeful ‘long shot’ to get an established gannet colony here on the mainland, but having a visitor hanging

After growing them for the best part of 5 years, we are delighted to see these beauties making their way to the rooftop of the Hundertwasser Art Centre. This is just the first stage of what will be the largest rooftop garden in the southern hemisphere. This is especially significant for one species, in particular, Pennantia baylissiana is one of the rarest NZ natives, with only one individual left in the wild - on the Three Kings Island. 7 Sharp came to see what all the fuss

As we are all thrown into another lockdown here in New Zealand, its’ given us some space to take a quick breath and be relieved that we finished our revegetation planting a week ago! We hope you have all had a chance to get outside through this lockdown, the bush around us has shown some spectacular flowers from clematis, manuka, karo and even a few kowhai! This year's planting on the family farm next to the nursery, is another step toward our goal of regenerating the whole f

After a three-year hiatus (due to the Covid restrictions), the Tawapou Conservation Trust with the support from QEII and the financial backing of Stevenson’s Trust and MPI, resumed the community involvement in the revegetation restoration work on Tawapou Farm. On Saturday, July the 30 th - after weeks of relentless rain - we were lucky enough to have a beautiful sunny morning. Between 120-150 volunteers turned up with their spades in hand to attack the hillside. Within a few

On the 29th of June 2024 - Matariki Weekend - a community planting day took place at Tawapou Farm. Approximately 94% (124 hectares) of Tawapou is protected by an Open Space QEII covenant, which ensures the perpetual preservation of its natural features. Tawapou features more than 3km of pristine coastline and is home to a number of rare and endangered plant and animal species. This year’s planting completed the last wetland protection that is connected to the stream which run

The Poor Knights have always featured in my life. In the early sixties my parents bought a farm on the Tutukaka Coast where I grew up with the rest of my family and where my wife and two children live today. It just so happens that our farm is the closest point of the main land to the Poor Knights. From wherever you are on the farm they lie right on the horizon dominating the view. My father who had a science degree and knew a lot about marine biology was good friends with ma

Tawapou was originally created as a three hundred acre farm for a returning World War One soldier. However poor soil, unreliable rainfall and Tawapou's small acreage have always made conventional farming difficult. For fifty of the one hundred years since it was created, Tawapou has been supported and protected by Dr. Katharine Bowden (and her late husband Dr. Bernard Bowden) and their family. Now, for many kilometres in either direction, farm land has been extensively subdiv