1. To preserve the native flora and
fauna on Mohunga Peninsular. These include pockets of
bush and populations of reptiles, fish, birds and
invertebrates
2. To enhance the various habitats to enable these
populations to increase and to allow introduction of
species that have been decimated.
3. To encourage similar projects on other areas of Aotea
The Mohunga
Restoration Project is an initiative designed to enhance
the biodiversity of the peninsula that forms the
northern shore of Port FitzRoy Harbour and the southern
coastline of Katherine Bay. The project is an extension
of the efforts already undertaken by residents and
landholders that has included reforestation and predator
and pest control.
It is planned that the Mohunga Peninsula will
incresaingly become an area that supports a range of
animal and plant species not experienced since
pre-settlement times.
The Mohunga Project
has been undertaking predator control since 2008
decreasing the effect of the predators on the
peninsular.
The publication of ‘The Ecological Restoration of
Mohunga Peninsular’ by Wildland Consultants that
described the biodiversity of the area and outlined
possible directions toward our goals was and is still an
important document upon which wise decisions were and
are based. It recognises that there are many threatened
flora and fauna that would benefit from the total
exclusion of predators. The report suggested the most
effective way to accomplish this could be a
predator-proof fence. From the experience we have gained
and that gained from other island projects it has become
clear that achieving and maintaining a predator free
environment on a peninsula is a very difficult and
expensive task mainly due to the reinvasion factor from
the seaward ends of a fence and the threat from boats.
So our focus has been on predator control through a
virtual fence or heavily protected area which extends
across the base of the peninsula and extends about a
kilometre into it. This area has most of the peninsula's
mature bush in it too so it is a seeding and breeding
ground for birds, lizards and insects. We have also
observed that rats move along the coast readily because
of it's rich food resource so we operate a bait line
around the southern and western coasts of the peninsula.
A grid of tracking tunnels and bird count sites has been
set up covering the range of habitats. That gives us
data to help determine the effectiveness of predator
control.
Re-opening the old bridle track along the spine of the
peninsular has enabled better access to all ridges and
spurs. This is a beautiful walk with panoramic vistas of
Aotea and the Gulf.
As with any other projects like this, much of the hard
grind is carried out by dedicated volunteers. Many hours
and much sweat have all ready been spent.
The project is an incorporated society, The Mohunga
Restoration Group Inc. with charitable status, which
makes the soliciting of funds easier.
Chairperson- Colin Griffiths, Okiwi,
Ph 09 4290 139
Email Colin@okiwischool.co.nz
Secretary- Brian Reed
Ph 09 437 3554
Email: mohungaaotea@yahoo.co.nz
