December 2011

The Park has reopened

The park has reopened at long last and visitors will notice changes.  The pest proof fence is operational and the gates will open automatically to vehicles entering the sanctuary.  Walkers have their own gates.  Visitors will be asked to check their bags and vehicles to ensure that they are not accidently introducing mice and rats into the sanctuary. 

A new interesting looking structure at the entrance to waterfall valley tells the story of the sanctuary and is worth a visit. 

Down at Te Haruhi Bay, regular visitors may notice that a new wooden fence has been constructed on the side of the ranger station.  Behind this is our expanded native plant nursery.  We have just received a grant of $8,400.00 from the ASB Community Trust that will enable us to complete the project on time and to the standard of plant propagation, irrigation and shade we require.  It will produce around 13,000 plants annually for the sanctuary revegetation programme.  The nursery is a SOSSI project and is constructed, funded, managed and operated by volunteers with the support of the ranger and Auckland Botanic Gardens staff.

Walking around Shakespear the first thing visitors will notice is the long grass on the hills.  The sheep and cattle were removed in July and have been returned to paddocks with more than enough feed.  Otherwise the bush and the birdlife will be much the same as before.  The peacocks, also removed in July, are yet to return – but will be back!

Now that all the rats and other predator pests have been removed, you may notice more seedlings growing on the forest floor and more tuis, bellbirds and kereru flying around.  This trend will continue as it has done at other sanctuaries.   However it will take a year of two of pest-free operation before it is considered safe for kiwi to be returned to Shakespear.  We need to be patient.

August 2011

Park to reopen on 1st December 2011

Shakespear Regional Park will re-open to the public on 1 December, following a five month closure for animal pest eradication. Those wanting to book summer camping and picnic sites at Shakespear will be able to from 6 September.

Shakespear Regional Park will re-open to the public on 1 December, following a five month closure for animal pest eradication. Those wanting to book summer camping and picnic sites at Shakespear will be able to from 6 September.

Read more on the Auckland's Council's website or Click here to download a PDF copy of the full Media Release.

March 2011

Shakespear Open Sanctuary gets go ahead for pest eradication

Independent commissioners have granted the Auckland Council resource consent to carry out animal pest eradication on a defined area of Shakespear Regional Park, by way of aerial bait application.

Click here to download a PDF copy of the full Media Release

February 2011

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to The Lion Foundation for their $3,000 grant towards stock gates, and to the Pub Charities for their $30,000 grant towards culvert screens. Their generous contribution will bring us a lot closer to the completion of the predator-proof fence project.

November 2010

It has been a while since our last update, reflecting a shift from active construction of the pest proof fence to detailed planning for the automated vehicle gates and other finishing touches.

The concrete block wall at Army Bay car park is all finished and looks great.
The need for this protective structure has been well demonstrated with several very busy weekends as boaties head off in droves. Road markings and other protective measures are planned to help avoid vehicle vs. fence incidents.

Automated vehicle gate construction is underway. Two gates are planned, each opening away from a central pole, to provide one entry and one exit. Each gate will be built to exacting specifications (maximum 6mm tolerance) to enable unimpeded visitor vehicle entry while keeping pests out. A 20m concrete pad will be laid either side of the gateway to ensure the long term integrity of this critical sanctuary infrastructure. We will be taking the opportunity to undertake some necessary road stabilisation work at the same time.

It’s certainly a team effort! Aaron Pickering has stitched together the many players and ensured a programme of work that causes least park disruption and seamless transition between tasks. Rhodes for Roads have been contracted for the road work and concrete pad. Magdrive Technology will manufacture and install the gate. Xcluder will pest proof the gate and install the interface between pest proof fence and gates. Chorus and Copperoptic electrical will identify and provide the telecommunication connections. The park Tuesday volunteers have shifted fencelines to make space and will be constructing a generator shed for backup power supply. Dave Craddock will survey for any skinks that may be in harm's way and relocate these to safety. Insite security will install surveillance cameras and power and gate closure fail alarms.

The remaining sections of pest proof fence will meet the fence once gate works are complete. Pedestrian gates will also be installed at Waterfall gully and Bruce Harvey Drive.

While the work is underway a temporary bypass road will be in place through ‘Way In’ paddock. Walkers on the Heritage Trail will be diverted from the watertanks to the picture frame. We aim to have all works in this area concluded by mid December in time for a busy summer. It is intended to have the gates operating through the summer, even though there are still pests both sides, to give it a thorough work out. Best to identify any shortcomings before it is required in earnest.

An interpretation project is underway to explain the project to our visitors, to engender respect for the fence and the biosecurity provisions, and to reassure them that their much loved park remains the same but better.

October 2010

Fundraising Continues

The pest-proof fence is up, but fundraising continues for the automatic gates.

We would love to be able to complete these before Christmas, but we are currently short of $20,000. Can you help us reach our goal? You could do so by becoming a member or making a one-off donation, organising your own fundraising event or purchasing some SOSSI merchandise or one of Jeff Thomson's artworks.

If you are a business owner, perhaps you would consider becoming a sponsor?

Application for Resource Consent

You may have seen the ARC’s application for resource consent published on the Rodney Times (pg 22) on 12th October. The ARC is seeking resource consents for an aerial bait drop to help rid the park of the pests that pose such a threat to our native wildlife. You are invited to provide feedback or make submission either in support of the application or addressing points of concern. Submissions close November 10th.

For more information, or to make a submission, please visit the ARC's website.

July 2010

Shakespear Open Sanctuary pest-proof fence construction has seen 1600m of fence completed for the 2009/10 financial year and we hope for a near-continuous flow into those tasks remaining for the 2010/11 year – construction of coastal fence ends and installation of automatic vehicle gates and pedestrian gates.

The Waterfall Gully car park is now fully surrounded by pest proof fence and looks very much to be the arrival zone for an exciting destination. We’re now up to the ‘fussy finishing stages’, ensuring that all fittings are made fast and the fence is indeed up to a pest-proof standard. This attention to detail extends to covering the bright rivets with green spray paint to better blend with the fence mesh.

A high intensity rainfall on Friday June 24 delivered up to 70mm of rain in just a few hours. This fast and heavy rain gave our fence culverts a serious test. As planned, the rain filled the duckpond and progressively filled the 1500mm manhole and 4 x 525mm culverts.

Excess water then poured through the pest proof fence and into the Tank Trap wetland as planned. Very satisfying to get these tests of capability out of the way before the fence is required in earnest.

June 2010

The pest-proof fence earthworks are complete and diggers have left the site. 1600m of fence platform has been created and surfaces reinstated. Grass has even started to flush on these reinstated surfaces thanks to some welcome rain.

Posts have been driven right to the pedestrian gateway point in the Waterfall gully car park and will reach the NZDF/RDC roadway by the end of next week. Fitting of pest proof materials has reached a temporary hiatus at approximately the 1100m mark while we await the landing of the next container load of specialist mesh from China. This is expected to be landed, unloaded and on site by June 8th and fitted to the NZDF/RDC road gate by end of June.

Works on the  NZDF/RDC automated vehicle gate are progressing well. The gate itself is now complete and has been fitted with pest proofing materials. Work in the workshop continues for fitting all the bits and bobs to achieve a snug interface with the fence that meets the exacting tolerances required to exclude all pests. Gate operation must then be tested intensively to be sure that nothing shifts with the repeated travel action of the gate before it can move to its new home in the field.

May 2010

Shakespear Open Sanctuary pest-proof fence earthworks are almost complete and diggers due to depart on the week starting 10th May.

The pest-proof fence earthworks are almost complete and diggers due to depart week of 10 May. The major waterway crossing at the Waterfall gully duckpond is now complete with culverts, manhole, scruffy dome and fish passage all complete, concrete nib poured and surfaces reinstated.

Posts have been laid to this point, 1200m in total. Mesh has been applied to most of this length. The skirt to prevent burrowing animals and hood to thwart climbing animals are being progressively fitted and tied off along the route.

Topsoil recovering is due to commence this week. Electric fence insulators and wires have been fitted in the western paddock, making the paddock and pest-proof fence stock-proof; now all the stock need is some grass to grow. Thanks to the farm team for accommodating the disruption.

An access portal to manage pollution response at Waterfall Gully in event of wastewater plant failure has been agreed upon. (Worth stressing that this is hoped never to be used and is the backup to the backup to the backup.)

Works on the  NZDF/RDC automated vehicle gate are progressing well with concrete pad poured and much of the myriad electrics installed.

April 2010

Shakespear Open Sanctuary pest-proof fence construction continues to make good progress. Approximately 1300m of earthworks have been completed for the base platform, with posts installed along 1200m pest–proof mesh has been fitted to approximately 1000m of the fence and is being progressively strained and fastened. The high point in the attached photo is an 'up and over' where the farm fence will adjoin. Extra height is required as the farm fence posts increase the 'ground level' and increases the jumping capability of pest animals.

The significant earthworks at Waterfall Gully are nearly complete. Four 500mm culverts and a 1500mm manhole have been installed to manage peak flood flows for a 1 in 100 year event. These culverts (and others for surface drainage) will all be fitted with pest-proof screens to prevent animal ingress at a later date. A 300mm culvert has been installed to manage 'normal' duckpond water flows and allow for passage of native freshwater fish.

The next major challenge is the earthworks around the Waterfall Gully car park. In itself this is no great challenge, but great care must be taken to avoid the three high-volume, high-pressure sewerage pipes delivering waste at 700 litres/second from the Hibiscus Coast to the waste water plant. Serious incentive to avoid a mishap!

Thank you all for your continuing support for this project. Fundrasing continues for the automated vehicle gates.

March 2010

Shakespear Open Sanctuary pest-proof fence construction continues to make good progress.

The first month of works has seen over 1000m of earthworks for the base platform completed and approximately 600m of posts placed, wires strained and capping rail fitted.

Significant archaeology was discovered along the fence route in 'Pump paddock'.

This site is an extension of that investigated in 2009 and is a series of storage pits and shelters associated with a pre-european Maori seasonal food harvesting camp.

In the week following Easter it is hoped to begin works on the major waterway crossing in front of the duckpond at Waterfall Gully. Substantial culvert works need to be installed to manage the flood flows of the 180ha catchment that feeds this waterway. While works are completed in this area the Heritage Trail will be redirected with signage in place to inform visitors of alternative route.

January 2010 - ANZ digs deep for Sanctuary

Support continues to flood in for the Sanctuary, with ANZ’s Staff Foundation Fund granting $5000 to the project. Thanks to all at ANZ who have helped make this happen – it is hugely appreciated!

Construction ground-breaking coming

A symbolic end to of years of work for dozens of volunteers will be celebrated with the start of the predator-proof fence’s construction.
A groundbreaking ceremony is not far away, with a specific date to be confirmed soon. We’ll post the date here, but expect sometime late January or early February. 

If you care about this project, have been involved, or are keen to be present when the beginning of a new era at Shakespear officially begins, come along!

And for anyone worried that the hard work is over – no way! Get in touch with Allan on 09 424 5055 or info@sossi.org.nz if you can help with the hundreds of volunteer hours still needed.

Have you given your time to SOSSI?

If you have, let us know. We’re in the process of collating all the volunteer time given to this project. This information is needed for some of our grant applications to progress.
If you’ve worked behind the scenes for this project, get in touch with Allan on 09 424 5055 or info@sossi.org.nz and let us know.

Sanctuary fence to start this year

The ARC announced its LTCCP on 29th June with a commitment to building the predator-proof fence by 2011.

The fence will be built over two years. Construction will start in October 2009 and most of it will be completed by February 2010. The gates and special fence endings will be constructed in the period 2010 to 2011.

The final stage of the construction project will be to remove pests inside the fence.

When completed, the fence will stop pests entering the sanctuary.

The fence construction is being funded by:

• $45,000 contributed by the community to our Fence Post Appeal
• A grant of $200,000 from the Min of Environment Sustainable Mgt Fund
• A contribution of $143,000 from the Auckland Regional Council towards construction in 2009/10.

The ARC is also committing $213,000 in 2010/11 for completion of the gateways and fence ends as well as a buffer and surveillance grid.

We now have the funds to construct the fence.

However we are still $150,000 short of our share of the total project cost of $600,000 for the fence construction and subsequent pest eradication and we continue with our fundraising.

We therefore need your ongoing support in the form of donations to and membership of the Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society.

Click here for more information on the ARC announcement.

NZ HERALD: Park aims to attract native birds to city life

12/01/2009

Melodic bellbirds, bright green kakariki and cheeky kaka could be popping into city slickers' backyards if a mainland bird sanctuary succeeds north of Auckland.

The native birds are expected to thrive after the Auckland Regional Council fences a 500ha wildlife sanctuary on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula at the end of this year.

Although there are other "mainland island" sanctuaries for wildlife, this will be the closest to Auckland - 40 minutes by car or a bus trip from the central city.

Read more >>

Rare Moko Skinks

Rare moko skinks, which have been wiped out on mainland NZ, have been discovered at Shakespear Regional Park. We’re talking about something that is nearly as rare on the Auckland mainland as the kokako, it was completely unexpected.

The ARC has established two lizard sanctuaries in the larger future sanctuary to protect skinks from predators. The sanctuaries have measures in place to control rodents.

It is hoped that these small areas will eventually have moko skink populations of at least 15,000. Moko skinks used to be found throughout the upper North Island, in scrubland and grassland areas, before people and their companion pests arrived. Now they are only found on offshore islands and Shakespear Regional Park.