Welcome
Welcome to the official website for Tawharanui Open Sanctuary
Society Inc.
The Society thanks all of the Sponsors of the important fencing
and planting projects. Members, sponsors and contributors continue to maintain the Society's longer-term aims with ongoing planting and ecological projects.
What is Tawharanui Open Sanctuary (TOS)?
A comprehensive ecological restoration programme is underway to transform Tawharanui Regional Park into New Zealand's first integrated open sanctuary (a 'mainland island') where farming, public recreation and conservation of native species will combine. It is hoped that TOS will become a place free of plant and animal pests, where native plants and animals can breed successfully.
Why Tawharanui?
Tawharanui Regional Park is a coastal lowland environment made up of
dunelands, coastal forest, wetlands, open grasslands and streams. The peninsula
is ideal for the construction of a predator-proof fence to keep animal pests out.
It is also close to off shore islands, such as Hauturu (Little Barrier), and is a stepping stone for
birds such as kereru, kaka, korimako (bellbird) and seabirds. Tawharanui is a public park administered by ARC. Visitors have free access to the sanctuary, which is inside the park.
The Problem
Introduced animals and plants are one of the biggest threats to our native plants and animals. Ground dwelling species such as kiwi, petrels, brown teal and
lizards are amongst the worst affected. Ten species of animal pest (mice, Norway rat, ship rat, stoat, ferret, weasel, possum, hedgehog, feral cat & rabbit) have been present in and around Tawharanui.
The Solution
An animal pest eradication programme including:
A 2.5 km coast-to-coast predator-proof fence completed in August 2004
A pest eradication programme within the new sanctuary commenced in September 2004 in combination with intensive pest control outside of the fenceline.
A monitoring programme to measure the success established in 2000
What Has been Achieved ?
No rats, stoat, ferret, weasels and feral cats since January 2005
No possums since March 2005
Low numbers of hedgehog and rabbit
Mice are more stubborn and continue to be a challenge
Bellbirds arrived from Little Barrier in February 2005
Shore skink have increased by 45%
North Island brown kiwi introduced November 2006
North Island robin and whitehead released March 2007
Native plant nursery opened June 2007
Mangatawhiri Valley wetland restoration August 2007
Evidence of robin breeding September 2007
Abundant seeding of Nikau and taraire
NZ Dotterel appear to be increasing
Kereru, fantail, bellbird and tui chicks have been more noticeable.
TOSSI
The Tawharanui Open Sanctuary Society Inc (TOSSI) is a non-profit group formed to
support this project through volunteer work, fund-raising and other activities.
It is working in partnership with the ARC to realise the longer term vision for the Tawharanui Open Sanctuary.
In Partnership with
