Fieldays 2019: New Zealand Biodiversity Crisis

We are attending Fieldays 2019, showing our agricultural whānau how to take action and get involved in cleaning up waterways, planting trees and caring for our native species. New Zealand’s wildlife is in crisis with more than 4,000 of our species at risk of extinction and we need everyone doing their bit, whether big or small, to turn this around.

Find all your Fieldays information here on this page. See what activities and information we have in store, for visitors to the Fieldays. Come see us at our DOC tent, get involved and take action.

Fieldays is the Southern Hemispheres largest agricultural event attracting over 130,000 for the four-day event. This year DOC will have pride of place at this year’s event, come down to the DOC tent and meet the team, there is plenty to do and see.

Dates: Wednesday 12^th June – Saturday 15^th June

Where: Mystery Creek, Hamilton

Link to the Fieldays Website: https://fieldays.co.nz/

What to do

Become a Toyota Kiwi Guardian at Fieldays

Get Ready! Become a Toyota Kiwi Guardian and help protect our vulnerable New Zealand wildlife by visiting various locations around Fieldays to spot silhouettes of biodiversity in crisis.

Go and explore. There are thirteen precious species in crisis to be found at Fieldays. When you have found ten or more, you’ve earned yourself a Toyota Kiwi Guardian Explore Medal!

Claim your reward. Once you have your answers, visit the Department of Conservation site and the friendly folk there will check your answers and give you your certificate with the instructions to visit the link and claim your Toyota Kiwi Guardian Explore Medal!

Kids Activites Section

Decorate your own pot!

There is a potting activity station in our activity area that the whole family can get involved with. Get arts and crafty by decorating your own terracotta pot. How do you see New Zealand conservation in the future? Show us! Kids can be as wild and colourful as they like.

Plant your own Native to take home

Once your pot is bright and beautiful get stuck in with potting a native tree or plant. Pick and pot your very own native Kowhai, Mapou, Miniature Harakeke or Miniature Toitoi to take home and care for.

Once your seedling has grown, we would love to see the progress. Just snap a pic, upload your photo to Facebook and tag your friends at DOC.

Plant more native trees, shrubs and grasses on your property or join a care group to green your local spaces. This attracts native birds, bats and insects and provides habitat, food and shelter for animals.

Actions that can help

With New Zealand’s wildlife in crisis, actions like cleaning up our waterways, protecting marine habitats, getting rid of weeds and replanting with natives all help protect nature can make a big difference. For more ideas on taking action, pick up/download a copy of “New Zealand Biodiversity Crisis: Things we can do” booklet for a full list of actions.

1. Control Pests

Do some pest control. The biggest threat to our plants and wildlife is from introduced predators like rats, stoats, possums and wasps. Getting rid of predators is an important first step to improving conditions for native species. You can help by setting traps on your property or joining your local predator free network. For more information see Predator Free 2050 and Methods of control or contact your local DOC office.

2. Visit Marine reserves

These places provide spectacular opportunities to see marine life thriving and abundant in its natural environment. You can sail, kayak, snorkel and dive while exploring above and below the surface, but you can’t fish or collect seafood in them. New Zealand’s marine reserves (all 44 of them) are no-take zones, which means you are not permitted to disturb or remove any marine life or naturally occurring materials within these areas. Do become familiar with the boundaries of marine reserves in areas where you regularly fish, to avoid accidentally straying into them. See Marine Reserves A-Z

3. Fish and collect seafood thoughtfully

Be aware of what you are fishing for. Learn to identify protected marine fish. Some fish (e.g. black grouper) are completely protected, so it is illegal to take or harm them. Obey the rules around fish size and catch and think about how much you are catching. Do you really need that extra fish? – why not leave it for another day?

Don’t litter into the ocean while fishing and pick up any rubbish (especially plastic) you see while you are out. Never leave setnets unattended. Stay with your net at all times so that you can watch out for dolphins and release them if they become entangled. Set nets are a particular threat to our smallest (Hector’s and Māui) dolphins. See Set netting care urged article.

4. Treat sand dunes with respect

Sand dunes are our natural barrier between land and sea, but they have become one of our most highly modified and degraded ecosystems. Help sand dunes by using ATVs and 4WD vehicles responsibly. Don’t drive on dunes. Join a community coastal care group and participate in planting dunes. To find out what is going on in your area, go to Dune Restoration.

5. Look after water

By ensuring freshwater, including on your own property, is in good condition, you can leave a legacy that will make you and your children proud. On your land, you can fence-off waterways and wetlands, plant riparian strips and control freshwater weeds. For wider impacts, get involved in community projects to fence and plant along local streams. There is a lot of information available now from many sources on protecting and improving waterways and wetlands, for example: Habitat Restoration and Wetlands.

Ask your nearest DOC office for a copy.