Wellington

A Rocha in Wellington exists as three sub-groups, focusing efforts on the Kapiti Coast, Hutt Valley and Wellington city. For more information about the projects and working-days contact: [email protected]. We welcome people to join any of the sub-groups.

Kapiti Coast

Wellington Green Gecko (Photo from DOC)

Three private properties are the focus of the A Rocha group on the Kapiti Coast. Two properties are part of the Kotukutuku Ecological Restoration Project which seeks to restore indigenous bio-diversity and therefore enhance the corridor for birdlife between Kapiti Island, Kaitawa Reserve, Whareroa Farm and the Nga Uruora project, stretching from Paraparaumu to Paekakariki. Financial and technical support from the DOC Community Conservation Fund and the Kapiti Coast District Council assists in the project work – predator and weed control and a range of activities for monitoring invertebrates, birds and vegetation. Also, the Kotukutuku Project has a permit under the Wildlife Act to carry out lizard monitoring for ten years and therefore biennial skink/gecko surveys are being carried out. One of the highlights of 2016 was four lizard species being found on one of the properties;

• Barking Gecko (aka Wellington Green Gecko/Naultinus punctatus)
  

  Green mistletoe (Ileostylus micranthus)

• Ngahere Gecko (aka Forest Gecko/Mokopirirakau sp. ‘Southern North Island’)
• Northern Grass Skink (aka Common Skink/Oligosoma polychroma)
• Copper Skink (Oligosoma aeneum)

Over a number of years the group has also had some success in the propagation of a regionally threatened species of mistletoe (Ileostylus micranthus).

The group meets quarterly to participate in work associated with the project, for fieldtrips and to learn from and encourage one another.

Hutt Valley

Waiu wetland

The Hutt Valley group, in partnership with Forest and Bird and the support of the Hutt City Council has been working since 2012 in helping to restore the Waiu Wetland in Wainuiomata.  Wetlands are one of the most threatened habitats in New Zealand (over the last 200 years 90% of NZ’s wetlands have been drained/modified).  The project consists of clearing invasive weeds (mainly blackberry and gorse), replanting native plants, and nurturing the naturally regenerating plants that have been covered by weeds.

Monthly working bees are held on the third Saturday of each month between 10am and 12pm. All are welcome to come.

Wellington City

Planting the Owhiro Stream with FOOS

A Rocha members living in Wellington city support the work of local community conservation groups such as the Friends of Owhiro Stream (FOOS), Backyard Sanctuaries and Te Motu Kairangi – Miramar Ecological Restoration Group.

To connect with A Rocha members who are involved in these city conservation groups, please send an email to [email protected].