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The Tapora Land and Coast Care Group is one of 38 groups that will receive a grant from the Department of Conservation’s $9.2 million Community Fund announced last week.
This year, $7.2 million has been awarded to biodiversity projects that will protect rare species from extinction, and safeguard critically endangered rare ecosystems. A further $2 million will protect significant cultural heritage sites and maintain visitor infrastructure in the backcountry.
The Tapora group will receive $271,640 for weed removal and planting in wetlands and dunelands on Manukapua. This work will support critically endangered ecosystems and threatened bird species, including the tara iti/fairy tern.
Manukapua, also known as the Big Sand Island, is on the western side of the Tapora Peninsula. Manukapua, and the Okahukura reserve opposite on the mainland, holds spiritual, historical and cultural significance to Ngāti Whātua.
A key objective of Kia Puawai ai ngā taonga o Manukapua Project is to eradicate pest animals such as stoats, rats, pigs and cats, and to remove weed infestations.
DOC national operations and regulatory services deputy director-general Marie Long says priority was given to the most critically endangered species and sites, ensuring the greatest possible impact from the funding available.
“Nationally critical species on the brink of extinction such as kākā beak, swamp maire, tūtūruatu/shore plover, kupe skink, and pekapeka tou roa/long-tailed bat will benefit from these grants, alongside critically endangered ecosystems and habitats such as chenier plains and ephemeral wetlands,” she said. “With a focus on important sites for threatened species and ecosystems, collective community efforts will assist in meeting these challenges.”
