Andy Mentor and Mae Lewis were back in the field recently, running a pest control workshop for Otaua Landcare, 20 minutes west of Kaikohe. The workshop covered the damage caused by the four main pests – rats, possums, mustelids and feral cats – and different methods to control them. The workshop was a follow-up to the previous (and very popular!) rat box making workshop in April. The hapū led group have had a lot of interest in backyard trapping to protect their birds and the workshop gave the community the practical knowledge to help improve their catch results.
Inge Friday from Otaua Landcare said,
“From our nannies, aunties, mums, dads, and uncles to our mokopuna, everyone left with big smiles and the knowledge, support and resources to get down to the business of being kaitiaki for our Te Taiao. It is so revitalising seeing how much information and enthusiasm our tamariki hold. I feel confident our tamariki will be strong and passionate kaitiaki with the tools and knowledge learnt to lead and protect our taiao for many generations to come.”
The workshop also had a special visitor – Patricia Clark from Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust. Patricia is the national coordinator for Mountains to Sea, and also happens to have grown up just down the road from where the workshop was held. She taught the crowd about the Northland Mudfish – a unique endangered species which is only found in the 25km radius around Lake Ompaere. The fish grow to 13cm and live in swamps and wetlands. In dry periods they burrow into the mud and breathe through their skin, becoming active again after heavy rain. Their big threat is loss of habitat, and fencing off and protecting waterways can help them survive.
Photo: Pat Clark with a net used to check for presence of mudfish.
If you’d like to connect with a local pest control group, or start one with your neighbors, reach out and see how Kiwi Coast can support you to get started.
