December 2021 Pānui – Newsletter
Kia ora and welcome to our Restore Hibiscus & Bays (RHB) December 2021 Pānui.
With an expanding team and big plans for 2022, RHB is transitioning into a new exciting phase, and it is time for me to hand over the reins to a new Manager. We are currently advertising to fill the role, so please forward the details below to friends, whānau and contacts who you think might have the right mix of skills to manage staff and finances, facilitate governance processes, build relationships and develop written communications. Personally, I'm now looking forward to continuing to support RHB on its journey in whatever way I can, both as a volunteer and in other practical ways to smooth the transition.
What a privilege it has been for me to work with you all and our community over the last two years!
Meri Kirihimete me te Hape Nū Ia!
In this newsletter...
Ngā mihi nui,
Rachael & the RHB team
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Could you be the next RHB Manager?
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RHB is looking for an organised people leader to guide the initiative through its next exciting phase. The RHB Manager facilitates the governance and management of a range of activities and programmes within the diverse environments of the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area, with a specific focus on supporting and growing community-led restoration and conservation activity. This is a dynamic, team leadership position, directly managing up to 8 staff.
The Manager will oversee the delivery of the recently updated RHB Strategic Plan.
Please download the full role description here.
To apply, please email a cover letter and CV to jobs@restorehb.org.nz before 5pm on Thursday 9 December. If you have any questions about the role, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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Update on Myrtle Rust on Swamp Maire in Bushglen
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A year ago, myrtle rust was sadly discovered on some of the precious swamp maire trees in Bushglen Reserve. Myrtle rust is a pathogen that poses a major threat to these already endangered species of native trees. Since then, Kathy from Bushglen Restoration Project has been working closely with biosecurity advisors at Auckland Council to continue to survey the trees, seedlings and other plants in and around the reserve and to establish some risk management approaches for working in the reserve and reducing the risk of spread. Kathy is going to be keeping a diary and map recording the health of all the trees and the distribution of myrtle rust over time. It's a lot of work, but will hopefully help to contain and minimise the impact of the infection.
You can help to reduce the spread of the disease by learning how to recognise myrtle rust. One of the biggest reservoirs of the disease in Auckland is lilly pilly which is a very popular hedging choice, as well as a monkey apple trees. Consider replacing your lilly pilly hedge and removing that monkey apple in your backyard - as well as harbouring myrtle rust, they are also pest plants which can take over nearby bush areas.
There is some great information on what to do about myrtle rust here from Auckland Council, Biosecurity New Zealand and Landcare Research.
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December Network hui and End-of-Year Celebration
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We hope that as many of you as possible will come along to celebrate the end of another challenging but busy year at our online Christmas hui on Tuesday 14 December, 7-9pm. We will have a guest presentation from Shaun Lee – a designer and photographer heavily involved in many of Aotearoa's large-scale ecological conservation and restoration efforts, including the Revive Our Gulf mussel reef restoration project. Kane Kvasnicka - our experienced Restoration Advisor here at RHB - will also be speaking about our long-term project to restore the SEA land in Waiwera's northern catchments and sharing some photos of the results so far. We will also be running a fun award ceremony to thank some of our wonderful volunteers. RSVP on Facebook or to info@restorehb.org.nz.
Click on the following link to join the ZOOM meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81209222488
Meeting ID: 812 0922 2488
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2021 Volunteer Awards
Request for nominations
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Thank you for all the nominations received to date for our volunteer awards. If you have a volunteer in mind who always goes above and beyond, its not too late to nominate them for an award and a special gift – they deserve it! Send us a quick email to awards@restorehb.org.nz and tell us why you think they should receive an award. Don't be shy, nominate someone today! Winners will be announced at our December network hui.
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Out and About with our Ecological Restoration Advisors
On-the-ground restoration highlights from November
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RHB is collaborating with Forest & Bird Hibiscus Coast to undertake restoration in Raroa Reserve in Stanmore Bay. Since 2003, this reserve has been transformed by Forest & Bird Hibiscus Coast from a kikuyu field into a one hectare bush block. In November, RHB provided Tool Library support to a neighbour to enable them to get on with the removal of bamboo which bordered the reserve and their property. In December, Kane and Deborah will work on controlling the Japanese honeysuckle which has spread throughout. Once the honeysuckle is out of the way, there is more potential for volunteer activity to tackle some of the remaining weeds, and there is lots of interest from local residents, the girl guides and the playcentre next door to get involved. In the meantime, Pest Free Hibiscus Coast which manages the predator control is just finishing up a reptile survey on the site – we are all eagerly awaiting the results!
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As volunteers were still not able to get out into reserves due to COVID restrictions during the beginning of the November pulse, the RHB staff team were out and about servicing some of the lines we have set up. An increase in hedgehogs was observed in Taiaotea and Waiwera, as well as a decent amount of bait taken for some of our newer lines. The November pulse is timed to help protect and promote bird fledging success, as many of our native species are currently breeding, so it was critical that this predator control was undertaken on time.
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The results are in from our initial predator monitoring in Stredwick Reserve in Awaruku catchment! Tracking cards with peanut butter lure were placed out when 3 fine nights were expected. They were collected in showing 100% relative abundance of rats (so interested in the peanut butter they ate the cardboard too!), 75% of mice and 37% hedgehogs. Thankfully we have a keen new volunteer to cover predator control in this reserve, and we are setting this up at the moment.
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We have also been getting on with preparing some of our sites for the 2022 planting season, including at this site in Taiaotea catchment with Ben Sheeran. We aim to restore this section of the Taiaotea Creek with restoration plantings and predator control along each side of the stream bank, eventually providing canopy and, in turn, a healthier more resilient ecosystem.
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Gift native trees for your local streams this Christmas!
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The weather is warming up and Christmas is just around the corner!
This year we’ve got a great way for you to get your Christmas presents sorted and support our projects to restore our local streams at the same time. Check out Million Metres Christmas here.
How it works:
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- You choose a bundle of native trees to buy, and the waterway you’d like them planted at – please choose Taiaotea-Rothesay Bay, Campbells Bay, or Long Bay-Awaruku.
- You receive a beautiful e-card to gift on to your loved one.
- Your trees get planted next winter and get to work restoring this precious place.
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This is a great way to give friends, colleagues and loved ones a zero-waste, sustainable gift that will have a positive local impact for the Hibiscus & Bays area.
We would all love more trees please!!
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COVID-19 Vaccination and Health Status Declaration Form
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We are over the moon that volunteers are now allowed to work again in our local Council Reserves - woo hoo! However, there are certain precautions we must all take to help keep everyone safe with COVID-19 still out there in the community
To meet our obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, Auckland Council and RHB require that workers (including volunteers) are vaccinated against Covid-19 before they can undertake specific activities. Therefore, we are asking that you complete this form to confirm your current vaccination status. This information will only be available to those who need it to ensure compliance with RHB’s Vaccination Policy (for example, the person overseeing your project). Your information will be stored in a secure manner to maintain your privacy. Please note that returning this form is voluntary and you are under no obligation to do so. However, please be aware that if we do not have your vaccine status on file, we will assume that you are unvaccinated. This means that there will be activities in which you will be unable to take part. To read the RHB COVID-19 vaccination policy in full, please email info@restorehb.org.nz and we will send you a copy.
In addition, Council guidelines exclude people with some medical conditions from attending volunteer events in COVID-19 Alert Levels 2 and 3. Please complete the declaration form to let event coordinators know about any significant medical conditions in advance of an event.
If you have any questions or would like assistance completing the declaration form, please contact info@restorehb.org.nz.
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Report your November volunteer time
Keep track of your volunteer hours to document your valuable work!
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Please follow this link to our website to complete your reporting for November. And click on the link 'Project Hours Tracking form’, as highlighted above. On an ongoing basis, you can enter each event separately, or if you wish, you can aggregate the data for all your project activities across a month.
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Pest Plant of the Month: Tree Privet and Chinese Privet
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Chinese and tree privet are small to large fast growing evergreen trees that can be very long lived. These trees produce many highly viable seeds that are widely dispersed, most commonly by birds. Privet seeds are very shade tolerant and the emerging trees form dense understories shading out native species. Eventually they replace parts of the bush canopy and, in some cases, they can take over the entire forest canopy. When in bloom, privet produces large amounts of pollen that can cause health problems for people. The leaves and berries of privet are also poisonous to animals and people.
If you notice privet on your property, take action as soon as possible:
- Report the weed using the EcoTrack.nz app.
- Wear personal protection equipment, such as a mask and gloves.
- Hand pull small infestations.
- For small to medium sized stems, cut near to the ground and immediately paste a thin film of MetGel on the cut stem - MetGel can be purchased at most garden centres or hardware stores. Always read the manufacturer’s label for guidelines and recommendations.
- Dispose of any privet seeds in your rubbish bin to go to landfill, securely tied inside a plastic bag - to stop it spreading to other areas.
- For large trees, cut two rings 20-30cm apart around the base of the trunk. Remove the bark between each ring, then apply a thin film of Metgel around the exposed part of the tree. The gradually dying tree will provide canopy cover for emerging native plants.
- Do not fell large trees within a forested area - this will create gaps in the canopy that can cause more weeds to colonise the area.
- In your backyard, you can stop pest plants invading again by replanting with non-pest plants (preferably native plants) once regrowth is no longer a problem.
- Talk to your neighbours and encourage them to take action too!
- Download a printable leaflet/poster about privet and other pest plants from our website here.
Please email us with any questions to info@restorehb.org.nz.
Look out for our privet article in the December issue of Channel Magazine! This is part of a series of 'Pest Plant of the Month' features aimed at raising awareness of pest plants, why they're a problem and what to do about them. Its a collaboration between Restore Hibiscus & Bays and other environmental networks across the North Shore.
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Pictures of the Month: Watercolour beauties
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These gorgeous watercolours were painted by our very talented Pauline Smith! As well as being the RHB Deputy Chair, Forest & Bird Hibiscus Coast Chair and Founder of Pest Free Hibiscus Coast, Pauline also teaches and undertakes painting in her 'spare' time. Can you guess who her favourite subjects are?! These handsome karearea (NZ falcon), tūī and moho pererū (banded rail) are all for sale. Contact paulinesmith@xtra.co.nz
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Do you have any cool photos or videos of wildlife, landscapes or people helping nature within our rohe? Would you be happy for us to include them on our website, newsletters, Facebook, leaflets and other communications? Do you have any stories that you would like to share? Please send them to info@restorehb.org.nz.
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Don't forget to sign up as a member of Restore Hibiscus & Bays
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Restore Hibiscus & Bays is an Incorporated Society with charitable status. We encourage you all to sign up as a member of the Society, which will give you voting rights at our AGMs and special general meetings. Please update your details here and tick the box requesting to become a member. If you've been forwarded this newsletter and would like to sign up as a member of Restore Hibiscus & Bays, please use this online form, which can also be found on our website. Membership is free!
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Restore Hibiscus & Bays is a community-led, not-for-profit initiative that aims to bring together, empower and grow the network of restoration groups, neighbourhoods, individuals, schools, businesses and other organisations working to eradicate pests, restore native habitats and improve water quality across the East Coast Bays and Hibiscus Coast.
Restore Hibiscus & Bays is a registered Incorporated Society with charitable status. Our mahi is supported by funding grants from the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board, Auckland Council, Foundation North, Auckland Foundation, Rotary Browns Bay, the Lottery Environment and Heritage and the Sustainable Business Network’s Partnering to Plant Aotearoa Programme funded through DOC's Kaimahi for Nature. To find out more, get involved and donate visit www.restorehb.org.nz.
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Every month we send news, information and events from our network of community groups working to eradicate pests, restore native habitats and improve water quality along the East Coast Bays and Hibiscus Coast. Please complete your full details via the link below, so we can ensure you receive information tailored to you. We also ask that you share this email with your friends and contacts and encourage them to sign up here for future newsletters.
Are you looking to connect with an existing group or project in our network? Click on our map here to see more information on the local community group or project working to protect and restore native wildlife and habitats in your area. If there isn’t a current project in your area of interest or if you would like to add a project to the map, please get in touch at info@restorehb.org.nz. We would love to support you in whatever way we can.
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Arohanui to our sponsors and partners:
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