Dawn Chorus - Tiritiri Matangi Island chorus/Dawn Chorus 95.pdf · 2 Dawn Chorus 95 November 2013 3 Cover photo of lighthouse by Jim Eagles Anne Rimmer's Tiritiri Matangi: A model

Dawn ChorusBulletin 95

ISSN 1171-8595November 2013

Happy birthdaysLighthouse hopes for a museum as its 150th birthday present

SoTM founded 25 years ago

Oldest guide turns 89

www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz 32 Dawn Chorus 95 November 2013

Cover photo of lighthouse by Jim Eagles

Anne Rimmer's Tiritiri Matangi: A model of conservation describes the founding of SoTM like this:

The idea for a supporters’ group was hatched by Jim Battersby, a retired Presbyterian minister. He and his wife Barbie first went to Tiri with a planting group in 1988. Barbara Walter took the group to look for saddlebacks in Wattle Valley, which was then just a track of mud and cabbage tree leaves. Impressed by the hospitality and kindness of Ray and Barbara Walter, who ‘inspired everyone to come and to work’, the Battersbys offered to help for a few days.

‘We were like two kids. On an island!’ recalls Jim. ‘We hiked through the long grass to Fisherman’s Bay in a howling sou’wester. We had to push against the wind. It was still a wild island – just bits were planted.’ They helped in the nursery, potting up seedlings into the root trainers. The black polythene in the nursery area was looking a bit tatty, but Ray said there was no money to replace it. In fact, he feared their meagre budget would be cut further.

The government had announced the establishment of a new Department of Conservation (DOC) absorbing Lands and Survey, Wildlife, Forestry and the Hauraki Gulf Maritime Park Board (HGMP). . . . All this rearrangement affected Tiri’s income. ‘We were in dire straits,’ recalls Ray Walter. The ‘seed’ money from WWF, which had given the nursery such a fine start, was exhausted. Previously, the boat fees had been treated as a ‘donation’, which the government matched two for one, but with the formation of DOC this major source of funding disappeared. . .

‘I was weeding in the nursery,’ recalls Jim, ‘when I had this idea. All these people

coming to plant! There must be some among them who’d be willing to pay some money? If a hundred people paid $20 a year that would be $2000.’ He discussed it with his wife, and then with Ray and Barbara. ‘They seemed overjoyed!'

Barbara supplied a list of her contacts. Thirty people attended the first public meeting [on 24 October 1988] and 20 signed up as founding members of the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi. Jim was elected chairman, with Trevor Sampson as treasurer, Maureen Gilligan, Tim Ellison, Carl Hayson and Dell Hood were on the

committee, and Chris Clark was the liaison officer with DOC. Mel Galbraith offered his services as secretary. . .

The first Bulletin, put out by Barbie Bat-tersby in February 1989, was a modest two-sided A4 sheet. Membership had reached 55, with $1400 received. There was to be a Picnic Day on Sunday . . . and . . . ‘Ray has been waging war against the mynas . . . ’

Growth of the fledgling organisation was rapid: after a year, there were 150 members and $3000 in funds, and by 1991, there were 209 members, and net income was over $14,000.

FOUNDERS: Jim and Barbie Battersby mark the 10th anniversary by planting a tree.Photo / Tiritiri Archive

Birthday eventsTo celebrate its 25th birthday SoTM hopes to encourage Supporters to enjoy the Island. Plans for on-Island events include a reduced-cost four-seasons ferry ticket to provide a year-round experience, two Planters’ Days when it is hoped those who did the early hard yards will return to see the amazing outcome of their work and two Lighthouse Open Days. Off the Island there’ll be a pot-luck dinner and quiz evening, a buffet dinner to share memories, a roving exhibition of photographic history and at least one other special event. Check out the SoTM website, as more details will be posted as soon as firm arrangements have been made.

By the time you read this, the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi will have entered our 25th year and I hope you will join in the birthday activities. Of course part of the aim is to promote the Island, our partnership with DOC, and our efforts to conserve our native plants and animals, but we should also recognise that we are all volunteers and that enjoying the Island and having a bit of fun are important in maintaining our enthusiasm.There are two special elements of the celebration that we can all begin on immediately. Write a short essay (try to stick to less than 200 words) about what Tiritiri means to you or describe some special experience of the Island you’d

From the chairEnjoy SoTM's 25th birthday celebrations

like to share with others and e-mail it to me at [email protected]. We’ll arrange to put the best onto our website or in Dawn Chorus. Also, dig through your photographs for shots which capture something memorable, particularly of the early days. Again some will go on the website or in Dawn Chorus, and we’d like to put together an exhibition to be displayed on and off the Island. It doesn’t matter if you only have slides, prints or negatives, we can take care of all the technical stuff. I look forward to sharing your memories of 25 years of achievement and enjoyment. And, as an incentive, the three best entries received by 20 December will win copies of our marvellous new Tiritiri Matangi cook book. John Stewart

It all started with 20 founding supporters


Tiritiri snippets

Our oldest guide marks 89 years youngDiana Dombroski has just turned 89 but she's got no thoughts whatever of giving up her position as Tiritiri Matangi’s oldest guide or her role as the Island’s Poet Lorikeet.'I may live in Auckland now,' she says, 'but I’m not a city girl. I belong in the outdoors. I love Tiri. I’d live there if I could.'

Certainly Diana has lived in some re-markable places. The product of a marriage between a family of tea merchants and a family of coffee merchants, she was born in Sydney close to Taronga Park Zoo.

As a young woman she resolved to see her mother realise a dream of returning to England which she left as a baby, so helped her save enough money for them to take a ship to New Zealand. There they worked for a year to pay for the voyage to Fiji. In Fiji they stopped for two years before moving on to Canada. And so it would have contin-ued except that, tragically, while they were in Canada her mother died from a heart at-tack. Diana completed her mother's dream and reached England in 1951. There she was joined by a girlfriend from New Zealand and they thumbed their way around Europe.

Later she returned to Canada to marry a young fisheries researcher, studying sockeye salmon in the far north of British Columbia, and in order to join him took a job as cook on $1 a day. To reach their log cabin they travelled long distances over the ice on sleds and snowshoes with the local Indians, 'and that’s where I re-ally discovered how beautiful and fas-cinating birds are'.

After that they shuttled between Australia, Canada and New Zealand until the seventies, when their three children were grown and the mar-riage broke up. Diana based herself in Whangarei where her connection with Tiritiri began through the local tramping club. 'We tramped all round New Zealand and twice a year we used to come down to the Island where Barbara would give us jobs to do.' Later, when she moved to Auckland to where her three children, six grandchil-dren and one great-grandson all live, Diana became a guide on the Island.

Each Thursday she joins a group of like-minded women on the ferry to the Island. 'We’ve bonded into a great group,' says Di-ana. 'We’ve all been through tough times and we support each other.' Sit down with the gang and it’s easy to see why they enjoy their weekly visits: enthusiastic chat about the day’s guiding, lots of laughs about the

past week . . . and some delicious ginger crunch.

Tiritiri has passed its annual rodent check by conservation dog Tyke and his human assistant Andrew Blanshard (at right).

After arriving om the Island, an Australian woman asked if she could have a lift to the Visitor Centre, explaining that she had terminal cancer and was working her way through a bucket list which included seeing takahe. The ute pulled up at the bunk-house and there were Te Mingi and Cheese-cake, while Mahuika and her chick were

Poet Lorikeet celebrates the IslandTiri weaves a magic spell that cannot be denied360 applies the weft that takes you for the ride:Mix a dash of colleagues, birds and trees galoreInto a tangled web that ensnares youOn an isle from days of yore.As a volunteer on Tiri I lead the best of lifeAway from cities' drawbacks, their bustle and their strife.So may I long keep guiding to make my life complete'Cause this old bird hangs in thereWhilst standing on two feet

Diana Dombroski

in the pen nearby. 'The chick needed extra feeding,' reports guiding and shop manager Mary-Ann Rowland, 'so we sat her down by the fence with a pile of takahe pellets and instructions to feed them to the chick with one hand and to shoo the pukeko away with the other. She was over the moon. When she finally came up to the shop she bought every takahe-related item we had and gave us $1000 towards Growing Minds.'

The next Tiritiri Kiwi Call Survey will be held on 23-29 March. Participants listen for kiwi calls for two hours on each of four evenings. If you'd like to help please contact Simon Fordham at [email protected].

Guide Syd Dowling was just heading for the Kawerau Track when Mary-Ann asked him to add two latecomers from Finland to his group. Syd was a little concerned to find the man was totally blind, but his partner insisted that she could guide him safely. Far from being difficult, Syd reported afterwards it had been amazing to have the man in his group. 'By the time we arrived at the old po-

hutukawa, each time a different bird was heard, he would stop, listen, tell me what kind of bird (always correct-ly) and then point to exactly where it was located.'

Ray Walter, Ian Higgins and Brian Chandler have finished renovating the bunkhouse ablution block, replac-ing rotting floorboards and installing new showers and hand basins. With its new carpet, vinyl and paint, the bunkhouse is now sparkling. Outdoor Construction has braced a crumbling section of Little Hobbs track.

Just arrived in the Island shop is the Tiritiri recipe book, packed with delicious recipes, entertaining stories and fascinating informa-tion, beautiful line drawings and photos. All the content has been contributed by people involved with Tiritiri. Thanks to advertising from Xelocity, Earth Energies, Kokako Cafe, Nestle, Har-raways and Rod Vickery Gasfitting, most of the $15 cov-er price will go to-wards conservation and education pro-grammes. An ideal Christmas present.


At the annual general meeting John Stewart reported on an eventful first year as chairperson of SoTM. The following is a summary of his report:

We have just published a new Biodiversity Plan which is available on our website and which will guide our biodiversity work for the next 10 years. There are recommenda-tions for the introduction of many new plants, the creation of a threatened plants garden, the introduction of burrow-nesting seabirds and investigations which might lead to bringing in new reptiles and invertebrates.

There have been several translocations this year. Ninety Duvaucel’s geckos arrived, while hihi, whiteheads, saddlebacks and takahe have all departed. We had a good year for kokako breeding, with six chicks fledging.

InfrastructureRepairs were made to leaky dams at the wharf, Fisherman’s Bay and Silvester Wet-lands. Those at the wharf and Fisherman’s Bay failed to hold water, and arrangements are being made for the contractor to try again.

Major renovations have been carried out on the Wattle Track. A section of boardwalk, including many steps, has been removed and the track re-routed on a more gradual route. The new section will have a concrete path laid in the coming year. The seating area at the Wharf Road entrance has been up-grad-ed with the rotting decking, seating and rails replaced.

Three new seats, provided by the fam-ily of Beth Sharp, in memory of her part-ner Charlie, have been installed on the East Coast track.

New accommodation blockOur architects have come up with an outline plan for a new building which will address many of the discomforts of the bunkhouse. Key features include: separation of sleeping areas from the rest of the building; mainly rooms with two beds; larger rooms with workspace for researchers; some four-bed en-suite rooms; a separate cooking, dining and common-room area; a self-contained unit for a staff member; an extendable de-sign. The next step is to reach an agreement with DOC over design, management and use of the new (and old) accommodation ar-rangements. We will also need to carry out an environmental impact assessment and seek planning permission. For the moment, DOC is unable to enter into agreements

which might impact on the Treaty Settle-ment process, so the project is paused.

Historic Precinct MuseumGood progress is being made on this excit-ing project (a more detailed report appears on pages 8-9).

Visitor ExperienceOur visitor guiding programme continues to go from strength to strength. This is certain-ly due to the enthusiasm and commitment of our guides and to the stimulating training provided by Mel Galbraith and Mary-Ann Rowland.

Educator Barbara Hughes was appointed in January and the impact on school visits has been a revelation. Numbers have dou-bled since last year. Feedback from schools has been excellent.

The Growing Minds programme has been set up to fund the visits of lower-decile schools. Generous sponsorship from Run-ning Events has seen 1,000 kids take advan-tage of the scheme.

The Kiwi Ranger programme is a DOC-approved (and partly funded) scheme to pro-vide location-specific activity booklets which children and their families can use when vis-iting a reserve and earn a Kiwi Ranger badge.

Visitor numbers are recovering and are currently running at about 6% higher than those of our previous best year.

Other businessThere were many issues of contention in the Draft Auckland Conservation Management Strategy which sets out DOC’s framework

for Tiritiri over the next decade. We made detailed submissions and suggested alterna-tive policies. The final strategy will be pub-lished about a year from now.

Vincent Maire was contracted as fund-raiser and has made a good start, obtaining several grants and promoting initiatives like the recruitment of lapsed members and our bequests programme. Jim Eagles has taken over as editor of Dawn Chorus. Maria Gal-braith administers our Facebook activi-ties and Kay Milton our website. We have switched to a new membership database which will improve interaction with mem-bers.

A revised 10-year strategic plan has been approved by your committee.

AcknowledgementsOn behalf of us all, I would like to acknowl-edge the help and support of those who have made contributions to the continuing suc-cess of our enterprise.

Special thanks go to: the main com-mittee and sub-committees; our dedicated employees; the Dawn Chorus team; David, our accounts person; Zhea, our member-ship person; all our wonderful guides and shop persons; our sponsors: Dilmah, Nestle, Chelsea Sugar, QBE, Peregrine Wines, Run-ning Events and 360 Discovery; and our most important partner, the Department of Conservation, with whom we consult regularly and from whom we have help in negotiating bureaucratic hurdles, funding for Growing Minds and Kiwi Ranger and shared enthusiasm for the Tiritiri project.

Annual report

New biodiversity plan points to the futureAlison Hunt, Tiritiri guide and partner

in Running events, holds a

certificate of appreciation

from SoTM for the

company's generous

sponsorship of the Grow-

ing Minds programme.


What a thrill it was to pick up a Dawn Chorus and read it from cover to cover with no prior knowledge of the content. Since editing my first magazine, in 2001, this has been a rare event as, even when I was not the editor, I was more often than not involved in the proof-reading. Congratulations, Jim, on the new style you have brought to the magazine.

Putting Dawn Chorus together has been a lot of fun and it has involved a lot of changes over the years. In 2001, the 12 pages were laid out using Microsoft Word, with gaps for pictures. Colour photos were hand-delivered to a lithographer who would produce black and white versions suitable for printing.

Once collected these were placed onto a printout of the pages of text. These were hand-delivered to the printer who produced the final magazine on a high-quality photocopier.

Within a few issues, the cost of colour printing had reduced to around the same price as black and white and we also changed our production software to Microsoft Publisher. This meant that we could avoid the three trips into the city by providing a single disk to the printer.

In 2007, SoTM appointed a new editor,

Paul Colgrave, who was a professional publisher. Paul introduced us to Adobe InDesign, the industry standard, as well as to Christchurch-based Spectrum Print, with whom he already had a good relationship.

The magazine went to a new level of presentation so, when I took over from Paul two years later, I happily embraced the new system. Furthermore, there were no more trips to the printers as the final document was simply uploaded to the printer’s website.

As with any magazine, there are many people involved in putting it out.

First and foremost I would like to say thank you to the contributors, without whom the magazine would simply not exist. Over the years there have been many but I would like to make particular mention of the regulars: Warren Brewer for the flora notes and plant features; my wife, Morag, who spent many hours compiling the fauna notes in a readable and personalized manner; Josie Galbraith who, for many years, has been producing the Tiri Kids page with an imagination and creativity which, I have no doubt, is appreciated by old as well as young members.

Since introducing The Big Picture feature I have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of writers to tell us about their projects.

Once the magazine has been laid out, it is far from ready for printing. In an effort to achieve as high a standard as possible, a team of proof-readers, most recently John Stewart, Kay Milton and Val Smytheman, peruse the content for errors.

While this is happening, the photos are sent to the printer who provides proofs to ensure that each image is correctly exposed.

About this time our membership secretary, Zhea Warden, is busy arranging for the printing of address labels.

Once printed, the bulk of the copies are delivered to distribution coordinator Dorothy Miskelly. Dorothy and her team of helpers label in excess of 1500 copies and deliver them to the Post Office. This is a demanding task and, after seven years, Dorothy has opted to pass the baton. A special thank you for your efforts, Dorothy.

So, as you can see, the production and delivery of each magazine is the result of the efforts of many volunteers. Thank you to all involved.

Simon Fordham has been made a life member of the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi in recognition of his years of service. Announcing the award at the annual meeting, chairperson John Stewart said Simon had held a wide range of roles over the years, including secretary, chair and editor of Dawn Chorus.

Simon first explored the sanctuary in January 1993, when he and wife Morag anchored their yacht at Fisherman’s Bay, walked up to the lighthouse and were 'hooked from that day on. We soon began participating in Working Weekends, missing very few between 1995 and 2012, and in 1996 I joined the committee and also began guiding.'

Simon has been on the committee, in one role or another, ever since. In 1998, when SoTM was granted the guiding concession, he was the foundation guiding coordinator and wrote the first Guiding Manual.

In 1999-2000 he served as secretary, from 2008-2009 was membership secretary and served as chairperson from 2004 to 2008, a period when SoTM signed a memorandum

of understanding with the Department of Conservation and built the Visitor Centre.

Simon has twice served as editor of the SoTM newsletter: from 2001 to 2004, when the magazine moved from a black and white photocopied production to full colour and adopted the name Dawn Chorus, and again from 2009 until earlier this year.

Like Morag, Simon has always been active in hands-on wildlife management, and has participated in a number of avian and reptilian monitoring programmes, as well as many translocations both on and off the Island. In particular, he has coordinated three translocations of riflemen to Tiri and still organises the on-going monitoring.

Simon Fordham made a life member

The remarkable evolution of Dawn ChorusSimon Fordham looks back on his years as editor of the SoTM newsletter and its evolution from being photocopied in black and white to a colour magazine

ON PATROL: Simon Fordham on Tiritiri. Photo / Fraser Crichton


The Big Picture

Bringing native birds back to AucklandTim Lovegrove, Senior Regional Advisor (fauna) with the Auckland Council, gives a progress report on a successful campaign to return more native birds to the regional parks

Aucklanders are very fortunate to have a mag-nificent regional parks network, protecting over 40,000ha of land. The parkland includes the largest native forests near Auckland, in the Hunua and Waitakere Ranges. Significant natural areas and landscapes are also pro-tected on many spectacular coastal peninsu-las. From 1965, when the first regional park was purchased at Wenderholm by the former Auckland Regional Authority, the objective has been to balance recreation, farming and conservation.

The parks have forests, scrublands, wet-lands, saltmarshes and dunes with high con-servation values. There has been a spectrum of restoration to protect these, ranging from fencing to exclude livestock, through plant and animal pest control and revegetation, to recent initiatives to develop mainland islands, including two (Tawharanui and Shakespear), which have pest-proof fences.

Even just fencing a block of bush provides many benefits. Forest regeneration and suc-cession are restored, increased leaf litter has more invertebrates, while fruiting shrubs and a high turnover of dead wood boosts insect and reptile populations and provides more food for birds. A thick understorey also pro-tects birds from some predators, such as cats, which hunt less efficiently in dense bush.

When animal pest control is added, there are further benefits. A forest health survey in the Waitakere Ranges in 1995 showed that possums were destroying rata, pohutukawa, five finger and mamaku. Index trapping showed that the residual trap catch (RTC) rate for possums was about 25%. In 1997-98 a big ground-based possum control project cut possums to 0.65% RTC. Since 1997 the numbers of tui have quadrupled, kereru have trebled and tomtits have doubled.

Since the early 1990s significant areas have been revegetated. The objectives are to plant riparian zones, wetlands, eroded hill-sides and coastal forests, and to create linkages between remnants. Over the years, marginal pastureland has been progressively retired. A minimal impact approach is followed, using pioneering plants which can cope with open, exposed sites.

Ecosourced seed is sent to the Auckland Botanic Gardens and Arataki nurseries where young trees are grown. Each winter, volunteer planting days see the public supporting the

revegetation effort, and over 100,000 native trees are planted annually.

The first mainland island in the regional parks was developed at Wenderholm in the early 1990s. The project was carried out as part of an experiment by Dr Mick Clout, of the former DSIR Ecology Division, who found that before pest control, of 27 kereru study nests, none fledged young. Many had been robbed during incubation by mamma-lian predators.

To target rats, 200 poison bait stations were installed over the 60ha headland, and at the same time about 300 possums were trapped. After this, about half of all study nests fledged young. Further research showed that both ship rats and possums were preying on the nests.

Following a report on the status of kokako in the Hunua Ranges to the Parks and Heri-tage Committee of the Auckland Regional Council in 1993, Mike Lee, Parks Commit-tee chairman at the time, recommended that the remnant kokako population of about 25 birds be protected.

In a joint project with DOC, the Council undertook pest control, while DOC moni-tored the birds. In 1993-94, just one pair bred. We realised, that only one female re-mained, the result of differential predation upon nesting females.

That first season three chicks fledged, of which two were females. Our rescue had be-gun in the nick of time. The Hunua popula-tion was recognised in DOC’s 1999 Kokako Recovery Plan as one of about 20 to be man-aged nationally, with the goal of restoring it to 50 pairs by 2020.

Between 2006 and 2009, under the lead-ership of Hazel Speed, DOC released 30 new birds from the King Country, which boosted numbers and genetic diversity. Recently the population has been used to assist the genetic

management of Tiritiri kokako through egg transfers. With the help of a keen volunteer team, the managed area at Hunua now covers about 1100ha and protects at least 25 pairs of kokako. Over 70 young have fledged since 1995. We are well on the way to achieving our goal of 50 pairs by 2020.

In 2002 in a successful community part-nership with the Council, the Waitakere branch of Forest & Bird began developing the Ark in the Park open sanctuary at Cascade Kauri Park. Over 2000ha is now protected and robins, whiteheads and hihi, sourced from Tiritiri, have been released. Since 2009, 30 kokako have been released, and are now breeding.

With advances in pest-proof fencing it was clear that some of the peninsular regional parks could be developed as open sanctuar-ies without compromising their existing use. A 2.5 km pest-proof fence was completed at Tawharanui in 2004 and 10 mammalian pests were targeted with an aerial poison drop and intensive ground-based control.

Within months of the pest eradication, bellbirds arrived en masse from Little Barrier. They are now the most common native bush bird in the park. Kaka have also arrived and are now breeding. The largely pest-free envi-ronment at Tawharanui has enabled releases of brown kiwi, pateke, red-crowned kakariki, robins and whiteheads, these last two species sourced from Tiritiri.

Last year saddlebacks were released. The saddleback is highly vulnerable. If they can be successfully established at Tawharanui, other fenced mainland peninsulas might also be considered for releases. Thriving bellbird and shore skink populations have also allowed us to use Tawharanui as a source for transloca-tions elsewhere.

In 2011 a pest-proof fence was completed at the tip of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula en-


closing 550ha, which includes most of Shake-spear Regional Park, the adjacent Defence Force land and the wastewater treatment plant. As at Tawharanui, introduced predato-ry mammals were targeted with a poison drop and ground-based control. Bellbirds and ka-kariki have been regularly visiting Shakespear from Tiritiri, and bellbirds are now breeding. Plans are afoot to release little spotted kiwi. Both Tawharanui and Shakespear have well-established supporter groups which provide funding and volunteer assistance.

Some of the peninsular parks have strate-gic potential to protect nearby inshore islands from invasive pests such as stoats, which are known to swim considerable distances.

For example, it should be feasible to erad-icate stoats from Kawau, now that the closest landfall at Tawharanui is practically stoat-free.

Similarly the whole of the Waiheke archi-pelago could be defended by intensive pest control at Waitawa Regional Park, the clos-est jumping-off point for stoats to swim via Pakihi and Ponui Islands.

A pest-free Shakespear Open Sanctuary will provide a buffer to minimize possible pest incursions to Tiritiri. It is also already providing a stepping stone for the spill-out of wildlife from Tiritiri to the North West Wild-link, an initiative to link the islands with the Waitakeres.

New developments in pest control pro-vide hope for future control of predatory mammals on a landscape scale. This would allow reintroductions of kiwi, weka and other species into the Waitakere and Hunua Rang-es.

The growing number of pest-free island sanctuaries will be valuable sources of wildlife for translocations, as well as sources of spe-cies that can self-colonise the mainland. I’m looking forward to hearing bellbirds in my Northcote garden!

TAKING OFF (from top): Hazel Speed and Tim Lovegrove band

kokako chicks in the Hunuas; aerial poison drop at Shakespear; containment koru at the northern end of the Tawharanui pest-proof

fence; Ruth Bunney and Doug Armstrong measure robins.


With the 150th anniversary of the Tiritiri Matangi lighthouse just over a year away – on 1 January 2015 – plans to establish a lighthouse museum on the Island are stead-ily taking shape.

The project is being driven by Tiritiri stalwarts Ian Higgins, Carl Hayson and Ray Walter who is, of course, a former lighthouse keeper.

The lighthouse itself, imported from England in 1864 in prefabricated sections, is still going strong, though automated these days, making it the oldest working light-house in the country.

It was lit for the first time on New Year’s Day 1865 and, as the Southern Cross news-paper reported, ‘It had scarcely been lit an hour before the barque Meteor sighted it from a distance of 26 miles. . . It can dis-tinctly be seen on a clear night from the top of Princes St, the Windmill and other high parts of Auckland.’

As Anne Rimmer recorded in her book Tiritiri Matangi: a model of conservation, unlike today’s revolving electric beam, the original light was fixed, and illuminated by a lamp with three wicks burning colza oil. In 1916 this was replaced with a pressurised kerosene light, similar to a Coleman lantern (for those who can remember such things), which had to be pumped up every three hours. That light has also gone, but a similar lamp and pump, from the Mokohinau Is-land light, are already on occasional display on the Island as a foretaste of the planned museum.

From the 1880s there was a signal mast on the Island to communicate with passing ships and to send information about ship-ping movements, via the Mt Victoria signal station, to the authorities in Auckland. Not long after the first mast was erected a group of Auckland businessmen, keen to improve the flow of shipping information, paid for an underwater cable to be laid to Waiwera. ‘Unfortunately,’ laughs Ray, ‘in those days the telegraph office didn’t open until 9am and by then most ships had already reached the harbour.’

The cable terminated in a rather quaint octagonal telephone booth with a conical roof which has been demolished, but it is hoped that a replica can be built as part of the museum project.

The team is also keen to see a signal mast once again tower above the Island. Carl, who has been researching this for 10 years, says they have used analysis of old photos plus a set of standard Marine Department plans to work out the precise design of the big mast erected around 1910 and used until radio signals took over in the 1930s.

To get the measurements right they even employed a survey team ‘who took topo-graphical readings of the landscape based on all the old photos we had, and we even opened the lighthouse to take a reading from the balcony. From this, it was deter-mined that the mast was 25m tall, 3m taller than the lighthouse, and had a yardarm that spanned 36ft, so it was a very substantial structure.’

Now John Haycock, of the NZ Flagpole Company, is preparing working drawings for an exact replica. Because of the cost, Carl says it will have to be built in pine and it will use modern rigging which looks like the old style rigging, but even so the team is look-ing for a sponsorship of around $130,000 to make it happen.

The plan is for the replica to be erected near the original site – ‘we are not allowed to use the original hole because it is an historic hole!’ – after being flown to the Island by helicopter.

Fortunately, the signal station put up in 1908 to provide shelter for the signalmen, and over the years expanded into an impres-sive two-storey tower, is still there and Ian has progressively replaced its rotted timbers.

‘We didn’t plan it that way,’ says Ray. ‘Ian initially started out to replace three rot-ten weatherboards, but because the whole thing was rotten when he took them off it all started to lean. We’ve gradually replaced just about every bit.’

‘It turned into quite a big job,’ adds Ian, ‘complicated by the fact that we had to or-ganise a special run of 300m shiplap weath-erboard to match up with what was already there.’

Later the tower became a meteorologi-cal station and, as Ray recalls, ‘it was a good place to sit and keep an eye on the fog in the days when there was a foghorn here’.

The first foghorn, installed in 1918, used explosive cartridges, and the small concrete magazine where they were stored can still

be seen. It was replaced in 1935 by a fog-horn operated by compressed air and that in turn was replaced in 1983 by an electric model which remains today. It was restored over several years by members of the Toi Toi Trekkers Tramping Club, led by Colin John-stone, and these days sounds its warning on Island open days.

Tiritiri, says Carl, is the only place in the country you can hear that noise. ‘After the diaphonic horn in Christchurch fell into the sea after the earthquake, Tiritiri has the only diaphonic foghorn in New Zealand, certain-ly the only working one.’

Ray vividly recalls the last time the fog-horn was used on official business. ‘It was so loud it caused the floorboards in my bedroom to vibrate. It was measured at 68 decibels. That was bad enough, but then the automatic fog-sensing apparatus that was meant to register the presence of fog went bung and the foghorn went just about con-tinuously for several weeks. Experts were sent over to fix it but it didn’t make any dif-ference. Eventually I rang Wellington and said if they didn’t do something I’d shoot it out. And they just told me to turn it off. Ap-parently modern ships don’t need foghorns.’

By 1955 the lighthouse was being pow-ered by a set of diesel generators – these days it runs on battery power from a set of solar panels – and it is the shed where they were housed which will form the focal point of the planned museum. The building has been made weather-tight but, Ian says, ‘there’s more to be done before we can put things on display’.

There’s already a fascinating mix of old

NZ's oldest lighthouse ready to celebrate its 150th birthdayHopes of creating a lighthouse museum on Tiritiri Matangi, focussed on what is now the country's oldest working lighthouse, are making exciting progress. A concept plan has been drawn up and is now being considered by the SoTM committee.


equipment in storage, ranging from signal flags to an early anemometer used to record wind speeds, and Ray says, 'I’ve got all sorts of bits of lighthouse memorabilia to put on display as soon as we’ve got things organ-ised.’

Just recently 19 cases of parts from the Cuvier Island light were shipped up to Auckland from Pureora Forest, where they had been in storage. The pieces are now be-ing cleaned, and the turntable is being weld-ed, prior to being brought to the Island. The aim is to re-assemble the old light and put it on display.

But they’re always on the lookout for more goodies. 'Could you mention that we’d particularly like to find one of the old radios that were used here,’ says Ray. ‘A Marlin 15 is what we want. Somebody out there must have one . . .’• If you'd like to support the lighthouse museum project contact Carl Hayson at [email protected]

NZ's oldest lighthouse ready to celebrate its 150th birthday

RAYS OF LIGHT (clockwise from top left): The lighthouse today; Ray Walter with the gas cylinders from the Mokohinau light; the lighthouse in its prime with the old signal mast; Brian Chandler, Ian Higgins, Carl Hayson and Ray after rescuing the Cuvier light; Ray with the Island's original anemometer in front of the old generator shed.

Photos / Tiritiri Archive, Martin Sanders, Carl Hayson, Jim Eagles


Photo: Ian Southey

The breeding season is in full swing. It is the busiest time of year for the Island’s wildlife, and volunteers and researchers sometimes have difficulty keeping up. By the time you read this, the season will have progressed considerably, but this report indicates how things stood around the third week in Oc-tober.

TakaheSeptember was an eventful month for our takahe. First we had two new arrivals: Ran-furly (m) and Nohoa (f ) from Burwood. They arrived as a pair and we hoped they would take over Montague and Ahikaea’s territory, but birds rarely behave as we want them to. By the time Ranfurly arrived, Blackwatch had disappeared, leaving Mahuika without a partner. It didn’t take Ranfurly long to move in with her, leaving Nohoa on her own. Now we hear he has gone back to her. We hope to receive a new male to even out the numbers when one becomes available.

Meanwhile, Montague and Ahikaea were moved to Auckland Zoo, where they appear to have settled in well in the company of whio and bellbirds. They are even showing signs of breeding, which is no surprise to

those who know them. Edge also went to the Zoo, but only for a

few days, for treatment of a cut on her foot. All this left Cheesecake and Te Mingi as the only undisturbed pair, and they have already hatched a chick.

Mungo and Edge, who still have their daughter Anatori with them from last sea-son, appear to be in no hurry.

Hihi Hihi breeding also got off to an early start. By the time Donal Smith, our new hihi con-tractor, arrived in late September, there were already five nests containing eggs and many more that looked close to egg-laying.

Things then slowed down as a spell of unsettled weather set in, and no new nests were started for several days. By 6 October, the first nest had hatched, and the other ear-ly nests followed shortly after.

The first task for the hihi research team at the beginning of every breeding season is to complete a comprehensive population survey on the Island. This year, about 160 individuals were identified (all the birds have colour bands on their legs), making hihi numbers very similar to last year.

RiflemanThe annual survey in August and subsequent observations identified 18 pairs plus a small number of unattached males.

Like hihi, any riflemen we catch are giv-en unique colour-band combinations, mak-ing them identifiable as individuals. This year, nine new birds were banded, though several unbanded ones evaded capture. The birds seen this year included three from the original translocation in February 2009, and one bird that had not been seen since being released on the Island in April 2011.

Perhaps the most surprising discovery of this year’s August survey was of three nests in nestboxes – around a month earlier than in 2012. We believe that at least two of these were later abandoned, however, and new nests built in adjacent boxes. By the end of September 12 nests (including the aban-doned ones) had been started in boxes.

KokakoWe can never be sure how many pairs will be holding territory at the beginning of each breeding season. This year, all nine pairs that nested last year seem to be present, though Parininihi and Koha have moved, apparently

FLOURISHING (from left): The first hihi chicks of the new season; researcher Manu Barry measures a par-ticularly fat male Duvaucel's gecko. Photos / Donal Smith, Jim Eagles

Fauna Notes

Mild winter encourages an early start to breeding activity on the Island


Bob is a juvenile male bellbird. One day on Tiritiri he met up with Michelle Roper, a Massey University PhD student, who wants to follow him and other young bellbirds to study their song development.

After being handled by Michelle, Bob was rewarded with sugar wa-ter to thank him for his time. He thought this was great.

After that, instead of bat-tling with the older boisterous males at the sug-ar water feeder, he decided to keep approach-ing Michelle in the hope of get-ting more of this golden nectar. This continued for a few weeks.

M i c h e l l e didn’t always hand out sugar water because for her research she needed to follow young bellbirds and catch them starting their singing practice. And, sure enough, one day Bob finally gave a burst of singing and Michelle was delighted.

But when Michelle next returned to Tir-itiri Matangi Bob was no longer interested in singing. He had broken his leg.

Michelle was heartbroken to see him like this. He was checked by the vet, Bethany Jackson, and his foot was removed and for-tunately the leg healed quickly.

The recuperating bird was later found visiting sugar water feeders all over the Is-land but he still wasn’t singing. Then he dis-appeared and has not been seen for a while. Michelle can only hope that he has dispersed and settled in a territory with ample resourc-es where he can begin singing once more.

Michelle started her research on bellbird song in October 2012 and will continue for

the next two or three years. Little research has been done on species

where both males and females sing complex songs. She hopes to find out how they learn and develop their song, how many songs they know, and whether there are any dif-

ferences in song learning between the sexes. This depends on her being able to find as many of the young band-ed birds as she can.

As happened with Bob, not all young birds stay in one area for long. Adults can move around too and they are also important for studying how many songs each individual knows.

B e l l b i r d s who aren’t regu-

lar visitors to the sugar water feeders can be especially hard to find.

To assist with this research any con-firmed sightings of banded bellbirds away from sugar water feeders would be much appreciated by Michelle and her supervisor Dianne Brunton.

Please email details of sightings to [email protected] or use the bellbird sighting book in the bunkhouse, providing the date, bands and location using nearest tracks and landmarks where possible.

This research will have international val-ue with regard to the recognition of female song learning and will reveal how bellbirds develop their beautiful calls.

Michelle Roper has been studying bell-bird song on Tiritiri since October 2012 and will be continuing her research on the Island for the next 2-3 years.

having been ousted from their former terri-tory by Miharo, a two-year-old male.

As with hihi and rifleman, the mild win-ter seemed to be provoking some early nest-ing. By early October, Lucky was already incubating eggs and several others had been seen carrying nesting material. By late Octo-ber seven nests had been found and one new pair, Sarang and Rangikata.

We also have a larger number than ever of unattached kokako on the Island this year. Terewai, one of Te Rae’s daughters from last year, has been seen frequently close to the Visitor Centre, sometimes with a male in attendance. With several young males at-tempting to establish territories, sightings by guides and visitors are frequent.

SaddlebackThe regular checking of nestboxes began to-wards the end of September. As with other species, some early nests were found, includ-ing one at the Bandstand on the Kawerau Track.

By 12 October, several chicks had hatched and the first three had been banded. Activity increased during September and October, with many saddleback seen carry-ing nest material and engaging in courtship feeding and displays.

A new long-term study of saddleback be-gan in late September, with the colour-band-ing of adult birds in selected areas on the east side of the Island. John Stewart would be grateful to receive any reports of sightings of colour-banded saddleback (with accurate band records and/or photographs); he can be contacted at [email protected].

Duvaucel’s geckosAfter a quiet winter the monitoring team from Massey University has found more signs of activity during September and Oc-tober, with geckos beginning to turn up in artificial shelters and leaving their footprints in tracking tunnels.

Trapping also took place in early spring with the purpose of checking the health and body condition of the geckos. By mid-Oc-tober 11 had been caught, including some from the 2006 release site, and all appeared healthy. Radio transmitters have been fitted to geckos of appropriate size so their move-ments during the breeding season can be monitored.

Compiled by Kay Milton; information supplied by Simon Fordham, Morag Ford-ham, Donal Smith and Manuela Barry.

Tiritiri's bellbirds sing when they're enjoying sugar water . . . but not when they're unhappyA researcher studying how juvenile bellbirds learn to sing uncovers the sad story of a young bird who stopped singing when he lost his foot in an accident.

IN TUNE: Researcher Michelle Roper and feathered friend.


Photo: John Dowding

The recent discovery of the native mistletoe pirita (Ileostylus micranthus) means that the mistletoe family can be included in our flora on Tiritiri Matangi. Pirita (also known as green mistletoe) occurs widely in New Zealand.

It is hosted by a large number of native and exotic tree species. Our example is growing on karo (Pittosporum crassifolium).

Pirita is described as a woody, epiphytic, much-branched hemiparasite. Its leathery green leaves perform the photosynthesis necessary for starch production. It uses its attachment to the host plant to penetrate and tap into sap channels to gain water and mineral salts. The mistletoe can form several of these attachments, which are known as haustoria.

From September to December, pirita produces greenish yellow flowers which are

insect-pollinated. Following pollination small berries ripen

from December to April. The berries are described as being sweet and juicy and were eaten by Maori.

By late November we may get a sighting of the shy sun orchid (Thelymitra pauciflora) which flowers infrequently in out-of-the-way places. Its pale mauve flowers are only open in full sun. It does manage to present itself often enough to retain its spot on the Island’s plant list.

By contrast the tough little onion-leaved orchid (Microtis unifolia) shows no modesty. Its single onion-like leaf and stalk of tiny green flowers allow it to stand out from other plants on grassy banks. It is widespread and flowers in October, often continuing on into January.

Warren Brewer

BOUQUET (from left): The onion-leaved orchid and the sun orchid.

NEWCOMER: The native mistletoe growing on a karo.

Flora Notes

NZ mistletoe discovered on Tiritiri Matangi

It’s October. And once again I find myself crazily running between nest boxes manag-ing the breeding of a threatened endemic bird. Only this year I’ve relocated about 10,000km southeast after two seasons work-ing with the endangered Echo Parakeet, en-demic to Mauritius, that speck in the Indian Ocean.

It's all a long way from Dublin, Ireland, where a childhood spent rambling around mountains, forests, and rocky shores led to a degree in zoology and a keen appreciation of the threat of extinction faced by a shameful-ly high proportion of the planet’s organisms.

This outlook, combined with a thirst for adventure, first sent me south to Mauritius, where habitat destruction had reduced the population of the once-widespread Echo Parakeet to a mere 8-12. Happily, the con-servation programme I was part of has in 20 years grown its numbers to 500-600.

To conservation biologists in Mauritius, New Zealand is like an older brother who showed us the ropes. There is a happy his-tory of slightly bonkers Kiwis arriving armed with clever techniques, shrewd insights and an almost-intimidating work ethic. And that’s what makes coming here so attractive to me.

At time of writing, I’ve only spent a few days on Tiritiri Matangi, and I’m already hopelessly in love. The continuing triumph of conservation that is this island is as hum-bling as it is beautiful.

The hihi project is special. Not only has it placed the species on a more secure foot-ing, through the establishment of multiple managed populations, but it provides an op-portunity to learn about conservation tech-niques such as supplementary feeding and reintroduction, and to apply that learning to conservation projects worldwide.

Donal Smith

Meet the new hihi researcher

NEW FRIENDS: Donal Smith, from Ireland, gets to know a hihi.


Photo: John DowdingFerns made it back on their own

Tiritiri has a rich fern population, with over 40 species being recorded in surveys. This has occurred through natural regeneration, as ferns were not included in the plant restoration programme of 1984-1994. The following four ferns can be seen growing alongside the boardwalk on the Kawerau Track:

Coastal brake (Pteris comans)This is native to both New Zealand and Australia. It is naturally

restricted to coastal areas from North Cape to Bay of Plenty, including adjacent offshore islands. It grows abundantly in areas frequented by seabirds, usually in shaded spots near the sea. Its leathery fronds have distinctive netted veins.

A colony can be found beside the boardwalk steps leading down to the tuatara sign. Pteris comes from a Greek word for 'feathery' or 'wing-like', aptly describing the fronds. It is used in the word helicopter. Comans means 'leafy' or 'tufted', similar to a luxurious head of hair.

Shining spleenwort (Asplenium oblongifolium)This fern is endemic, widespread and prefers coastal habitats. Its

attractive glossy green fronds are a distinguishing feature. The name spleenwort dates from the 1st century AD when species of Asplenium were used medicinally. Wort is an archaic name for a herb. Asplenium means 'against the spleen' and an infusion of boiled fronds was taken as a cure against infirmities of the spleen and kidneys. Maori used very young succulent shoots as a vegetable food.

Leather-leaf fern (Pyrrosia eleagnifolia)This fern is endemic, widespread and epiphytic on trees and

rocks. It thrives in dry conditions. Its small, thick, leathery, individual fronds are sometimes plucked by kokako and used along with mosses as linings for their nests. Pyrrosia is Greek for 'flame colour' describing the dense mat of fine hairs on the underside of the leaf-like fronds. They help restrict moisture loss in dry periods. Eleagnifolia means 'olive-like leaves'.

Rereti (Blechnum chambersii) This fern is a native and it is also found in Australia and parts of

the Pacific. It is also known as lance fern. It is especially abundant amongst the kohekohe trees, seeming to have an affinity with them. Blechnum species differ from most other ferns by having a separation of sterile (photosynthetic) and fertile (reproductive) fronds on the same plant.

Early Maori were said to have gathered young fronds, which were steamed and eaten as green vegetables. The fronds were also used to cover baskets of eels or small fish (kokopu) during cooking.

Rereti means 'lance' or 'canoe-like'. Blechnum is a Latin name for a fern.

The name chambersii honours Thomas Carrick Chambers, who was born in Auckland in 1930. He was educated at Auckland University, MSc 1955 (with a thesis on genus Blechnum). He pursued an academic career in Australia after gaining a PhD from Sydney University. He was Professor of Botany at the University of Melbourne, 1967–1986. He travelled widely studying Blechnum species, becoming a world authority on the genus.

Coastal brake

Shining spleenwort

Leather-leaf

Rereti

Ferns have returned in force to Tiritiri Matangi since browsing animals were removed in 1971, reports Warren Brewer


Hi guys, the shining cuckoo is one of only two forest birds that migrate out of NZ. Cuckoos lay their eggs in other birds’ nests, and leave them to raise their chicks. See if you can help the cuckoo find her way through the kawakawa branches to lay her eggs in the grey warbler’s nest. Have fun! Jo

Hand this to your kids – or pass it on to someone else’s kids – to enjoy a range of activities about

Tiritiri Matangi Island


Day trips360 Discovery operates a return ferry service every Wednesday through Sunday from Downtown Auckland and the Gulf Harbour Marina. Bookings are essential.Phone 0800 360 347 or visit www.360discovery.co.nz Visitors are advised to call 09 916 2241 after 7am on the day to confirm the vessel is running.

School and tertiary institution visitsThe Tiritiri education programme covers from level 1 (5-year-olds), to level 13 (17-18-year-olds), to tertiary students. The focus in the primary and secondary areas is on delivering the required Nature of Science and Living World objectives from the 2007 NZ Science Curriculum. At the senior biology level there are a number of NCEA achievement standards where support material and presentations are available. The Island also provides a superb environment for creative writing and art workshops. For tertiary students there is an opportunity for a generalised presentation on the Island or to look at population genetics. Groups wishing to visit Tiritiri Matangi should go

Supporters of Tiritiri MatangiDawn Chorus is the quarterly newsletter of the Supporters of Tiritiri Matangi (SoTM). We are a volunteer incorporated society working closely with the Department of Conservation to make the most of the wonderful conservation restoration project that is Tiritiri Matangi. Every year volunteers put thousands of hours into the project and raise funds through membership, guiding and also through our Island-based gift shop.For further information, visit www.tiritirimatangi.org.nzor contact P O Box 90-814 Victoria St West, Auckland

SoTM CommitteeChairperson: John [email protected] 428 4541Secretary: Linda [email protected]: Kevin VaughanCommittee: Alison Bray, Roger Bray, Brian Chandler,Hester Cooper, Simon Fordham, Carl Hayson,Kay Milton, Ray Walter

Guiding and shop manager: Mary-Ann [email protected] 476 0010Membership: Zhea [email protected] 940 6739Educator: Barbara [email protected]: Vincent [email protected] Chorus editor: Jim [email protected] 445 2444

Island rangers: Dave Jenkins and Jason [email protected] 476 0920

to www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz/schoolvisits.htm or contact [email protected]. Bookings are essential.

Overnight visitsAlthough camping is not permitted on the Island, there is limited bunkhouse accommodation available.Bookings are essential. For information on booking overnight visits, go to: www.doc.govt.nz/tiritiribunkhouse.Bookings can also be made by phoning the Department of Conservation's Warkworth Area Office on 09 425 7812, though an additional booking fee will apply.Volunteers who are undertaking official SoTM work can obtain accommodation at no charge but this must be booked through the Guiding and Shop Manager at [email protected] or 09 476 0010.

SoTM members' discountSoTM members who wish to stay in a private capacity can get a discounted rate by booking through the Department of Conservation's Warkworth Area Office 09 425 7812.

Visiting Tiritiri Matangi

Coming Events

9 December7.30pm, end of year party at Unitec,

Lecture Theatre 23-1016, Building 23, Gate 3, Carrington Rd, Mt Albert. Ray

Walter will talk on the history of the Tiritiri Matangi watchtower. Supper afterwards

25-27 JanuaryAnniversary Day working weekend

18-21 AprilEaster working weekend

10-11 MaySupporters' non-working weekend

31 May-2 JuneQueen's Birthday working weekend

Supporters’ non-working weekends are hosted by guides who can help you find that elusive bird and take you out for a night walk. For these weekends you get a special reduced price on the ferry and half price in the bunkhouse. Children are

welcome.

Supporters’ working weekends are your chance to give the Island a hand. There is a great variety of projects to be done and everyone pitches in. On working weekends travel is free, as is

accommodation in the bunkhouse.

To book for Supporters’ Weekends please contact: [email protected]

Supporters of Tiritiri MatangiPO Box 90 814Victoria Street WestAuckland 1142

New Zealand Permit No. 243683

TIRITIRI MATANGI OPEN SANCTUARY

2014 CALENDAR

Your Christmas Shopping for a SongDreading the thought of Christmas shopping?

No problemCome and spend a day on Tiritiri Matangi Island, get all your shopping done, have a free relaxing guided walk* and know that you have also supported an amazing conservation project. Lots of gift choices (most made in NZ) and great prices. For more info see www.tiritirimatangi.org.nz.

Our friendly shop volunteers are waiting to help you.

The amazing Tiritiri calendar just $15

A fantastic range of nature books

Superb local craftwork

*While shopping on Tiritiri you can enjoy free tea and coffee, the birdsong of bellbird, tui and kokako and, if you spend $50, a free guided walk.

Our shop has something for everyone, including ceramics, bags, tee shirts, toys, jewellery, soft toys, and so much more.

Eftpos and credit cards accepted

Documents

Dawn Chorus - Tiritiri Matangi Island chorus/Dawn Chorus 95.pdf · 2 Dawn Chorus 95 November 2013 3 Cover photo of lighthouse by Jim Eagles Anne Rimmer's Tiritiri Matangi: A model