Let it rain…
I am definitely no expert but…. Wow, what a difference a month can make! We’ve gone from almost drought, with stock being removed from land around us; to deluge, and back to hoping for more rain. Thankfully, the water storage...
Water and Conservation at Manaaki Mai
I am definitely no expert but…. I thought I might share what I learn on our journey as Kaitiaki (guardians) of Manaaki Mai as Paul and I work to restore, conserve, and regenerate our property to a state similar to how Maori may have found it all those years ago....
Well, they’re not really that new…
In 2021 a group of people (including us) who are passionate about restoring and protecting the native flora and fauna of Banks Peninsula created the Hidden Valley Conservation Trust.
A 72ha piece of land adjoining Manaaki Mai on the harbour side and rising to the ridge was purchased by the trust.
The aim is to protect protect the many important native species living in the dramatic bluffs and gullies of the the valleys and allow the land to re-generate naturally.
Working bees are held monthly as this great bunch of people get together to weed out the invasive species on both the hidden valley land and also that surrounding it.
Trap lines have been laid and these are checked regularly by a group of volunteers who report catching stoats, weasels, hedgehogs, possum, rats and mice. Cameras are also used at some of the sites and it is fun watching the behaviour of some of the possum as they decide whether to take the bait or not.
Happily, we can report that the hard work of this wonderful group of people is having a significant effect on the birdlife we are now hearing in the valleys behind Manaaki Mai.
More infomation is available on the hiddeen valley website below.
https://hiddenvalley.org.nz/gallery.html