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A life-changing gift for a Gisborne man

Department of Conservation — 15/08/2012

By Sarah Mankelow

A wife’s gift to her husband of a day out with DOC rangers proved to be a life-changing experience for both recipient Grant Vincent, and for Aoraki/Mt Cook staff.

Each year, DOC staff at Aoraki/Mt Cook fly into Mueller Hut to prepare it for winter. The chance to go along on the flight was offered as a prize on a Trademe auction as part of the Million Dollar Mouse campaign. This trip provided a rare opportunity for members of the public to experience firsthand some of the work that DOC does daily to protect our unique wildlife and special landscapes.

Changing the poo drums at Mueller Hut (left & bottom right)
and parked up at Barron Saddle Hut (top right)

The Mueller Hut trip in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park was always going to be one of the gold star experiences on offer, but even DOC staff were amazed about how wonderful it turned out to be.

The trip was won by Wendy Vincent of Gisborne, as a gift for her husband Grant. Grant’s brother Murray had died in 2008, after falling at Barron Saddle while tramping in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.

Dave Winterburn, Programme Manager Visitor Assets, explains how the trip went:

“We arranged for Grant to come for a week, and this gave us some leeway with weather. As a result he became a ‘villager’ for a week, joining the DOC crew at quiz night and smokos.

“The weather was terrible all week, but Friday dawned ‘blue bird’. Grant joined DOC rangers Marcus Reid and Karen Jackson on a flight to Barron Saddle to switch the toilet tanks over. They flew via Freds Stream and the Dobson Valley, the route Murray intended to take on his last trip in the mountains. They landed at Barron Saddle Hut where Grant read Murray’s last entry in the hut book, and then wrote his own entry.

Grant standing on Barron Saddle looking into the Dobson Valley
with Mount Spence in the background

“They then flew onwards to Mueller Hut where Grant was able to spend some reflective time in the mountains, while DOC staff winterized the hut. After lunch and a brew they flew back and joined the full DOC crew for dinner that evening.

“From talking to him, I gathered it was quite an emotional day for Grant. I’m not sure it was ‘closure’ but he was certainly happy to visit the place his brother died.”

From left to right: Wendy Johnson (DOC volunteer for the day),
Grant Vincent, Marcus Reid (DOC Aoraki), Karen Jackson (DOC Aoraki),
outside Barron Saddle Hut

And in Grant’s own words…

“Tomorrow (Friday 27) is exactly four weeks since that amazing helicopter flight to Barron Saddle and Mueller huts. Thanks again for a really special and unforgettable day!

“Thanks again for everything, making my visit something I can tell my grandchildren about, so that Murray can be remembered by his family. I have the ‘terra/link’ Aoraki/Mt Cook alpine area map on the floor at the moment and it’s hard to believe that I was there this time a month ago, doing all that I did. I feel a real affinity for that stunning area because of Murray and my visit, and will certainly be back.

“Cheers for now and regards to all—and carry on protecting our natural heritage.”

In Canterbury, Huts, National parks Aoraki, Aoraki/Mt Cook, million dollar mouse, Mout Cook, Mt Cook, Mueller Hut, Trademe

Kea conundrums – one sign does not fit all!

Sarah Mankelow — 02/04/2012

Which sign do you like best? We asked this question – and you answered! Within three days of putting an online questionnaire on the DOC website, 150 of you had filled it out! And more are coming in every day, which tells me kiwis do care for kea and want to help this loveable clown of the mountains.

Look at those eyes - how can you say no?

DOC and others have struggled for years with the issue of people feeding kea. We’ve put up signs and posters in every mountain town where people and kea meet. We’ve produced pamphlets and written articles for magazines and papers, highlighting the plight of kea. We’ve given talks and worked with schools.

And yet people still feed them. I mean, it’s hard not to when they ask so nicely! They hop up towards you, with their head tilted to the side, their intelligent eyes flicking between your face and your sandwich… they are so engaging you want to take their photo but they stay just out of reach… until you break off a small scrap and hold it out towards them… click a great shot!

There’s been research done about visitor behaviour around wild animals (seals and dingoes are two examples) that says that signs don’t really work. We thought we’d try our own experiment with kea.

Which message works for you?

We challenged University of Otago design students to test some of the common elements that appear in these sorts of signs. Photos, symbols or cartoons? Polite plea or funny consequences? Words or no words?

And then we asked you what you thought worked best … and this is what you said.

Kea poster 2 was the clear favourite

Kea poster two was the clear favourite; 67% of you said it was the most clear; 53% voted it the most likely to catch your eye; and 65% said it was the one you were most likely to obey.

The reasons given were all pretty similar: “it’s simple”, “it looks official”, “it’s a universally understand symbol”, “It’s a clear DO NOT sign”.

And my personal favourite answer: “something about a big red mark staying NO that makes you feel like someone is watching you being naughty.”

OK that all seems pretty sensible. But it’s not the full picture.

Kea poster one scored high for aesthetic values!

A lot of you also really like poster one; in fact on the most likely to catch your eye question, poster one captured 37% of the vote.

“It shows a real kea”, “the beauty of bird and mountain makes you want to find out more – read sign”, “striking pose by the kea, draws your attention”, “beautiful photo”, “because it is clearly a kea”.

Many of you gave a mixed response to the signs – you liked some elements but not others; and there’s the conundrum – if we can’t make a sign that hits all the right buttons for one person, how can we make one that suits many!

Here’s a good example: “I LOVE the photos of the KEA. Aesthetically, this is my preferred one – BUT I think that as a sign to communicate across cultures – the circle with red line across it does that most effectively.”

There were heaps more really great comments which I can’t include in one short blog. But they were all really helpful to build up a better picture of why signs are actually really hard to get right! The questionnaire is still online and will be until the end of April so if you’d like to add your two cents worth go to it! The results will be formally written up after that – feel free to contact me if you’d like a copy!

In Canterbury, Native animals, Nelson/Marlborough, Otago, Southland, West Coast interpretation, kea, signs

Waimate wallaby hunt: Things that go bounce in the night!

Sarah Mankelow — 19/03/2012

Wallaby

It’s wallaby time of year again in South Canterbury! The 22nd annual South Canterbury Recreational Sportsmans Club wallaby hunt was held 16 – 18 March.

The club has run an annual wallaby hunt since 1991. Waimate is known as the wallaby capital, but entrants in the SCRSC wallaby hunting competition hunt throughout the Hunters Hills and Mount Dobson area. 2008 was a particularly bumper year for the competition, with 2000 wallabies shot over one weekend. How many were shot in 2012? We don’t know yet, but we’d love to hear from you if you were there! What was your tally?

A tale (tail) of three wallaby

Before people arrived in New Zealand, the only native mammals were three species of bat and eight species of seal and sea lion. Our first peoples brought kiore (Pacific rats) and kurī (Polynesian dogs). European settlers introduced a huge range of creatures, including seven species of wallaby.

The Waimate kind – red necked (or Bennett’s) wallaby – were brought here by Michael Studholme, the first European settler in the district in the early 1870s. He released two females and one male, which in 1874 bounced off into the Hunters Hills, where their descendants have been breeding ever since.

On occasion, they have extended their range into areas south of the Waitaki River and into the Mackenzie Basin. International tourists have been known to report being surprised to see a ‘giant rat’ on the Two Thumb Range! Wallaby have even become a bit of a road hazard around the place as they look for their next meal. You may see their distinctive calling card on the hillsides (and we don’t just mean the chewed up vegetation!)

Unfortunately, they cause a lot of damage on public and private land, so they are in the sights of landowners, the regional council and DOC! So it is great to see recreational hunters actively targeting wallabies through this event.

If you missed the competition, there’s always next year. But in the meantime, you can still set your sights our way.

Some ‘hot spots’ for red-neck ‘roos are:

The headwaters of the Pareora Catchment, Kaumira Conservation Area
Hook and Gunn’s Bush
Firewood Stream, Mt Dobson Conservation Area

Don’t forget to:

P.S. Tried the famous Waimate wallaby pie?

Want to venture further into culinary wilderness? Here’s links to three recipes for mouth-watering wallaby:

In Animal pests, Canterbury, Hunting Bennett's, hunting, waimate, wallaby

Flowering orchids on Mt Grey/Maukatere delight locals

Department of Conservation — 24/01/2012

Over the summer months, Canterbury’s Mount Grey is home to a variety of native orchids that could rival the Ellerslie flower show!

In Canterbury, Native plants flora, Maukatere, Mt Grey, nature, orchids

Kiwi Ranger – at a place near you!

Sarah Mankelow — 14/12/2011

Kiwi Ranger is a fun, interactive programme for kids of all ages – from 3 to 103! It’s a great way for families to explore new places together and learn something as well as having heaps of fun. Each Kiwi Ranger place has its own booklet full of fun activities and walks to do, developed by Mick Abbott and Carli Richter of Shades of Green. Complete the activities to earn a badge – unique to each location – and the title of Kiwi Ranger.

Blank Kiwi Ranger badge

It’s only in the South Island so far, but with more sites coming on board, it will soon be at a place near you!

In fact, where would you like to see Kiwi Ranger go next?

Design a badge for your favourite place and be in to win a fabulous books and brochures prize pack!

Entries close 1 February 2012-the winner will be announced on the DOC website.

Worksheets available online at www.doc.govt.nz/kiwiranger

Check out the badges for the current sites below for some ideas-and to plan your next family holiday!

Aoraki/Mt Cook Kiwi Ranger badge

Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park

Come and marvel at high snow covered peaks–including Aoraki/Mount Cook, the highest mountain in New Zealand. Experience stunning glaciers and lakes filled with huge icebergs. Take the Scavenger hunt challenge to explore the park and track down its special features in all its nooks and crannies. Spot amazing plants, birds and animals in the stained glass windows in the Visitor Centre.

Come and be an Aoraki/Mt Cook Kiwi Ranger! Pick up your booklet at the national park visitor centre.

Kids say…
“I am going to reuse, recycle, reduce and limit the amount of water I use”
“I pledge to promote our beautiful surroundings and protect our country”

Arthur's Pass Kiwi Ranger badge

Arthur’s Pass

Kea, kiwi and kakariki are some of the incredible New Zealand birds you may hear or spot on your Arthur’s Pass Kiwi Ranger adventure – in our old alpine village high in the Southern Alps.

Close your eyes and fill up your senses by finding a spot where you can smell the spray from the Devils Punchbowl waterfall; or take your shoes off and, very gently, let the moss between your toes. Interview a ranger to find out how you can help the clever kea keep out of trouble, or come and join in the Kea Krypton Challenge as part of our summer programme in January 2012.

Come and be an Arthur’s Pass Kiwi Ranger! Pick up your booklet at the national park visitor centre on SH 73, Arthur’s Pass village.

Kids say….
“I will plant trees and flowers for the bees”
“I won’t have long showers, and I will tell my mum to use organic cleaners”

Franz Josef Kiwi Ranger badge

Franz Josef

Franz Josef is a really special place with a huge icy glacier right next to lush green rainforest… and then the beach is really close to that! Great walks will take you to all these places – even to Okarito – ‘O’ for awesome!

It’s a great place to Rock on! Take two river rocks to make your own rockflour fingerprints! It’s raining its pouring? Make your own rain gauge to discover why they call it rainforest!

Come and be a Franz Josef Kiwi Ranger! Pick up your booklet at the national park visitor centre 13 State Highway 6.

Kids say …
“I liked finding out which trees grow on the West Coast compared to where I live on the other side of the mountains”

Orokonui Ecosanctuary

Orokonui Ecosanctuary

Journey into our forest of knowledge. Experience lush cloud forest and behold a myriad of rare birds and plants – including kaka, robin, saddleback, kiwi and rifleman. Walk through our pest-resistant fence and go back in time to a world without mammalian predators. Stretch your ears and do a sound map of bird song or find water creatures in the streams and ponds.

Come and be an Orokonui Ecosanctuary Kiwi Ranger! Pick up your booklet at the Ecosanctuary visitor centre.

Kids say…
“I will make bird feeders”
“I will not let our native animals go extinct. I will kill pests.”

Nelson Lakes Kiwi Ranger badge

Nelson Lakes

It’s amazing to stop and listen to tui and korimako/bellbird singing in the forests of Nelson Lakes – how they combine with the whoosh of wings, whispering winds or the lapping of waves on nearby Lake Rotoiti to create a symphony of sound.

A sound map is just one of the fun things to do here as part of Kiwi Ranger – or you can get up close and personal with eels/tuna, taste the sweet honeydew and more.

Come and be a Nelson Lakes Kiwi Ranger! Pick up your booklet at the Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre.

Kids say…
“I will cut pine trees down and shoot pests”

Mt Aspiring Kiwi Ranger badge

Mt Aspiring

Mt Aspiring National Park is part of the Te Wähipounamu South West New Zealand World Heritage Area which means it’s so special that protecting it concerns all people. Explore what lives in its high mountains, remote wilderness and river valleys by becoming a forest detective, doing a scavenger hunt or pinpointing pesky pests. Be creative and sketch your favourite rock – how did it become that shape? Check out other kids having heaps of Kiwi Ranger fun in our new video!

Come and be a Mt Aspiring Kiwi Ranger! Pick up your booklet at Mt Aspiring National Park (Wanaka) and Makarora visitor centres.

Kids say…
“I will never feed kea”
“I will make sure my cat never hurts birds”

In Canterbury, National parks, Nelson/Marlborough, Old Conservation Week posts, Otago, Recreation, West Coast

Archives For 30/11/1999

A life-changing gift for a Gisborne man

Kea conundrums – one sign does not fit all!