Aorangi Restoration Trust needs more volunteers

The Aorangi Restoration Trust envisions a healthy and vital Aorangi Forest and surrounds restored to its former glory. 

Imagine the return of Tuatara and Blue Duck (Whio) to the Aorangi; Kaka and Kiwi once again home, here; Eastern Rockhopper and Little Penguin again abundant on our coast; and Caspian Tern and Banded Dotterel recovered from the edge of oblivion.  

Established in 2011, the Trust represents the interests of local landowners, iwi, hunters, and community groups; and works with those who believe the values of Aorangi are worth protecting. See https://www.aorangitrust.org.nz/

The combined effects of the predators that our ancestors unleased here have resulted in the extinction of well over half the bird species that existed in the Aorangi Forest – an environmental disaster! 

Stoats, weasels, ferrets, rats, feral cats, hedgehogs, wild pigs, dogs and possums all continue to threaten our birds, insects, lizards, and their habitats.

The Trust is tipping the balance against the predators, with tens of thousands of predators taken out of the Aorangi forest and from the coast in the past decade. 

The Trust relies on volunteers to maintain the trap lines around the Aorangi Forest and on the adjacent coast. If you are interested in contributing your time, find a buddy to work with, and call Bob Burgess on 021 243 5263 or email Bob at robert@aorangitrust.org.nz

Photo caption : Astonishingly, attempts were made to farm much of the Aorangi up to the 1960s. This photo shows the slopes of Mount Ross (Hikapu Maunga), slowly recovering, a process likely to take far more than our lifetimes.