WAITERE DESERVES FULL PROTECTION

Forest and Bird, Volume 15, Issue 4, 1 November 1984, Page 24

WAITERE DESERVES FULL PROTECTION

Species conservation does not aim simply to preserve the last survivors of a species. It also seeks to maintain viable populations of a species throughout its natural range. Not only does this preserve species diversity. It also means people may have the chance to see the species throughout the country. While we all support efforts to preserve the kakapo in southern Stewart Island’s tangled scrub, few of us will ever get to see this bird, the world’s largest parrot, once widespread throughout New Zealand. The North Island brown kiwi is still common, although under pressure, in Northland and Taranaki. In Hawkes Bay it is threatened with regional extinction because of continuing habitat destruction by Government agencies and by the private sector using taxpayer funded grants. Waitere contains Hawkes Bay’s largest recorded population of kiwis — 30 to 50 birds. Full credit is due to the people of Hawkes bay for gaining a reprieve for these birds from Lands and Survey clearance. However our efforts could be in vain if the draft management plan for Waitere is implemented. This zones 20% of the block for immediate clearance, places the remainder only under a three year clearance moratorium and threatens to dissect the block with major roads. The publicly owned Woodstock farm-forest development block covers 7,550 hectares, most of which is now in pines or pasture, apart from the 1,650 ha Waitere shrublands. Waitere is now an island of native vegetation amidst a sea of developed land. A balance between conservation and development has already been struck on Woodstock. Waitere’s shrublands must now be reserved in their entirety as a home for kiwis, fernbird and other native wildlife. y& David Appleton Secretary, Napier Branch, RF&BPS National Executive Councillor