SOUTH WAIRARAPA REBUS CLUB

CLIVE PATON – AORANGI RESTORATION TRUST

Before we get on to Clive our mini-speaker this month was Irene Bailey who told us a little of her interesting life. Irene was born in Mosgiel then moved to Waihola, south of Dunedin, when she was four. She lost her mother at the age of 9. Despite this she enjoyed a happy fulfilled childhood helping with all the jobs around the farm. Her father was left with four children – Irene was the youngest – and she became a dab hand at such jobs as driving the horse and plough, taking one end of the crosscut saw and also pretty good with the scythe! There was a lot of swimming and boating in nearby Lake Waihola and Irene played a lot of sport.

She met her husband while fruit picking in Nelson and they returned to Mosgiel and had two children. Later they moved to Arrowtown and bought a cafe called Granny’s Kitchen which they ran for nine years. Lots of people would turn up for Irene’s date or cheese scones! She recently came to live in Greytown to be near her son and family and loves it up here – the people are very friendly.
Our main speaker was Clive Paton speaking on the Aorangi Restoration Trust which was formed about six years ago to promote rata regeneration and predator control in the Aorangi Ranges. DOC, Forest and Bird and several other organisations were involved with the main aim being predator control but also to help with regeneration of the native bush.
Initially 20,000 hectares of native bush was involved but the adjoining farmers also came on board which increased the area involved hugely. Hunters have also helped with the job – the area was mainly forest park and was largely used by hunters.
While the aim of a predator-free New Zealand by 2050 may not be achieved there is at least an aim to do this in the foreseeable future. Cats, rats and stoats are a major problem. 1080 poison is used for rats, stoats, ferrets etc but, for example, the rats regenerate within six months. Stoats are superkillers – they breed prolifically and don’t necessarily eat their prey.
Predator control started on the south coast initially between Western Lake/Ocean Beach and Ngapotiki to make the shoreline safe for nesting of Little Blue Penguins.
There is an education programme going on with various local schools who are very supportive. Children are taken on trapping expeditions so the next generation of conservationists are being made aware of the problems.
Anyone who would like more information on our Rebus Club and our various interest groups are very welcome to contact Margaret Griffiths on 306-8102.