Project Taranaki Mounga Taranaki Iwi Leaders Hui 10 February 2016

Ko Taranaki tōku whakaruruhau Protecting our mountain for our wellbeing Photo: Jeremy Beckers, Top Guides ©

Project Taranaki Mounga SECURE Pests will no longer threaten the park RESTORE Revitalise lost and depleted wildlife TRANSFORM Resilient fully-functioning ecosystems SUSTAIN Inspire, engage & equip to sustain benefits We will uphold the mauri or life-force of the Mounga

Mt Taranaki Project Taranaki Mounga A landscape-scale project “MOUNTAINS TO THE SEA” Kaitake Pouakai Ngā Motu / Sugar Loaf Islands New Plymouth

Key Project Partners Iwi of Taranaki The NEXT Foundation Department of Conservation Regional trusts councils and agencies Corporate sponsors & other philanthropists Taranaki Community Key stakeholders who have indicated strong interest in partnering Initial consortium

Questions, Risks, Opportunities $24 million dollar project over 10 years Interim 18 month set up phase Roles & Responsibilities Communication processes Lead Interim Director, Interim Chair Governance & Management Structure Advisory Groups (Iwi, technical, community) Other issues? Key stakeholders who have indicated strong interest in partnering

The NEXT Foundation PHILANTHROPIC INVESTORS A “strategic investor”, on behalf of the Neal and Annette Plowman - creating a legacy Vision: “to create a legacy of environmental and educational excellence for the benefit of future generations of New Zealanders”. Invests in educational and environmental projects throughout New Zealand Also supports Project Janszoon and the ZIP Project (Zero Invasive Predators)

The Tomorrow Accord PARTNERSHIP AND COMMITMENT The NEXT Foundation’s investment –Game-changing conservation interventions for biodiversity gain and community engagement NZ Government’s commitment –Ensure projects are well supported –New Zealanders gain benefits –Biodiversity outcomes are maintained

DOC’s roles MANAGEMENT & GOVERNANCE Funding –DOC will continue to operate “business as usual” plus a full investor in the transformation project Contracted to Project –To deliver the project objectives - to boost biodiversity outcomes, provide technical expertise Governance role –DOC will be represented at the governance level

NEXT roles MANAGEMENT& GOVERNANCE Funding −Committed to an initial 10 year investment subject to the success of the interim period Management –Lead Interim Director to facilitate 18 month set up phase Governance role –NEXT will be represented at the governance level

IWI roles MANAGEMENT& GOVERNANCE Mana whenua –Iwi will continue in their role as kaitiaki and tangata whenua in their own right and will engage with the Crown, agencies, authorities, corporate and community as partners to the project Governance role –Iwi will be represented at the governance level Project opportunities

Project Objectives 1.Eradicate / control pests from the Mounga 2.Species recovery Support a biodiversity halo – Regional Council led 4.Oranga Mounga Oranga Tangata – Education & health outcomes We will protect and restore our mountain together

Project phases Start Up An 18-month interim phase with review, governance and management set-up; partnerships, planning, plus tangible outcomes. 10 Years Implement, monitor, deliver, evaluate 20 Years Extend, push boundaries, consolidate We will create a legacy for future generations

Vision Protect Our Mountain for Our Wellbeing Objective 1 Eradicate pests from the Mounga Eradicate goats from the National Park Eradicate predators and browsers Eradicate climbing asparagus and other weeds Objective 2 Species recovery Translocate lost species back to the Mounga Strengthen threatened species Objective 3 Support creation of a halo Project developmentHalo development Objective 4 Oranga Mounga Oranga Tangata Mounga classroomHealthy nature, healthy people Community education and awareness building Capacity Building Objectives

Interim 18 month start up After 18 months: Governance & Management roles and processes established Programme review Robins re-introduced Goat eradication feasibility & plan completed Translocation strategy developed Seabird reintroduction feasibility & plan completed Improved pest reinvasion monitoring regime in place (spring 2016) Predator trapping network extended to protect more whio and kiwi

OBJECTIVE 1 Eradicate pests from Mount Taranaki 1.1 Eradicate goats from the National Park 1.2 Control predators and browsers 1.3 Eradicate weeds Outcomes – forest regeneration, native species and ecosystem services are secure

1.1 Eradicate goats Target – by 2023 (Yr 7), then surveillance only Kaitake Range near-zero already Feasibility study essential (Yr 1) Develop new tools – satellite tracking Tools and expertise transferrable Outcomes – palatable plants will survive, long-term costs reduced

1.2 Control predators / browsers Rat and possum control across the whole Park Plus extra ground-based rat control over ha Stoat trap-line extensions to benefit whio & kiwi Cat, weasel & hare research and control A pest-free seabird colony Understand rat reinvasion patterns Perimeter protection – assess options, begin action Outcomes – Intact forest canopy & thriving native species

Stoat trapping boosts whio recovery Potential to expand trapping network – add cat traps and expand the coverage

1.3 Eradicate weeds Invasive Gunnera – eradicate before it establishes

Climbing asparagus Only established weed Eradicate by year 5 Kaitake margin 226 ha treated Few adult plants A bad weed

OBJECTIVE 2 Species recovery 2.1 Translocate lost species back to the Mounga, based on current knowledge, Iwi input required 2.2 Strengthen remaining threatened species Outcomes – Lost or depleted species will be restored, with regional and national benefits

2.1 Translocations Robin Black petrels Pāteke Kākā Kākāriki Takahē Kōkako Bats

Translocations within 18 months North Island Robin – a test case Vulnerable Not rare Highly visible Appealing By end of 2017 Iwi involvement essential

Translocation within 10 years Kōkako – possibly within 10 years, once other projects established

Translocation beyond Year 10 Short tailed bats – in the year plan

2.2 Strengthen existing threatened species 74 kiwi released already by DOC & Taranaki Kiwi Trust

Whio – a success story

Restored to the Mounga Whio restored Expand range Vulnerable to cats & stoats Whio releases Monitoring 5-yearly census Rapid gains

Whio - success in 8 rivers

Halo

Taranaki rohe advantages Nationally Iconic Passionate people with shared values Potential to be ungulate-free Large, manageable with good infrastructure Potential for major biodiversity gains Easily accessible to 110,000 people Successful whio re-introduction Over 450,000 visitors per year Skilled, dedicated DOC staff

Iwi and the Mounga Connection Huge cultural significance & connection to the Mounga is recognised and must remain a key part of the Project. Shared values What are they? Opportunities What are they? Working together for the benefit of Taranaki Mounga

Vision Protect Our Mountain for Our Wellbeing Objective 1 Eradicate pests from the Mounga Eradicate goats from the National Park Eradicate predators and browsers Eradicate climbing asparagus and other weeds Objective 2 Species recovery Translocate lost species back to the Mounga Strengthen threatened species Objective 3 Support creation of a halo Project developmentHalo development Objective 4 Oranga Mounga Oranga Tangata Mounga classroomHealthy nature, healthy people Community education and awareness building Capacity Building Project Development – Initial Iwi projects

Contact the Department of Conservation for more information