Little did Sandra Sñez know when she saw some small, unusual tunnels at a North Taranaki Key Native Ecosystem (KNE) that they were the home of a potential new species of spider.

The Taranaki Regional Council Biodiversity Officer was monitoring flora and fauna at the Mataitawa Bush KNE when she spotted evidence of the underground structures and, after a closer look, saw an Idiopidae or trapdoor spider she was not familiar with.

She took photos and, with the permission of the landowners, uploaded them to iNaturalistNZ. She was then contacted by Te Papa PhD student Shaun Thompson via the app as he suspected it was a new species due to that genus of spider (called cantuaria) having restricted distributions.

"Finding a new species is every biologist's dream so I was over the moon when Shaun got in touch to say it is likely a new species of trapdoor spider," says Sandra.

"I was also delighted for the landowners, Rob Hooper and son Mark, as they work extremely hard to protect these forest remnants, so this is a fitting way to reward them for their mahi," added Sandra.

"I know Shaun is excited too as it's not every day he gets to describe a new species of spider. He has suggested it should be known as the Taranaki trapdoor spider once it is correctly identified which might take a couple of years," said Sandra.

The new species is believed to be closely related to Cantuaria wanganuiensis, and is distinctive from that species due to the patterning on the abdomen. They live underground in burrows and have a lid/trapdoor over the entrance, where they ambush unfortunate insects walking too close to their home.

The discovery means the arachnoid is the most northern distribution of Cantuaria so far discovered in New Zealand.

Diverse and abundant in most ecosystems, spiders are important as they help regulate the population levels of insects and serve as prey for birds and lizards, helping maintain ecological balance.

"All native species in an ecosystem are important and interconnected, including spiders who play a vital role as key predators of insects," added Sandra.

The Council works to support landowners across the region through the KNE programme where significant remnant forests, wetlands, coastal turfs and dunelands are legally protected and under management.

Biodiversity Plans are created for KNEs which include funding for management actions. Staff work closely with landowners to offer support and technical advice on how to maintain or restore indigenous biodiversity, including regular visits to survey or monitor flora and fauna such as the trip where Sandra found the new species.

"We love working with landowners who are strongly committed to helping protect our biodiversity, so it was very pleasing to share the discovery with the owners of Mataitawa Bush," added Sandra. "It was a special day for everyone involved."

Sea-run salmon populations in Canterbury are at critically low levels, prompting Fish & Game to seek public feedback on potential regulatory changes designed to increase the relative size of the spawning population. The primary way Fish & Game can influence the sea-run salmon fishery is by changing the harvest rate through fishing regulations.

The Central South Island and North Canterbury Fish & Game Councils are jointly consulting salmon anglers and the wider public on a range of options that could be introduced when salmon populations are within the "severe" population management band which provides for a one salmon season bag limit. Regulation change options include:

• reducing the season length
• limiting fishing areas
• implementing a catch-and-release fishery (zero season bag limit)
• or introducing a temporary season closure

The consultation process began on 1 December 2025. From 1 January 2026, sea-run salmon licence holders who have not yet participated will be emailed, and the survey will also be made publicly available on the Fish & Game website. Submissions close on 31 January 2026.

Steve McKnight, Chief Executive of Central South Island Fish & Game, emphasised the importance of collective action:

"We are at a critical moment for our sea-run salmon fishery. For future generations to experience the thrill of salmon angling, we must ensure enough salmon reach their spawning grounds. Regulation changes are not decisions we take lightly, but they may be necessary to give the fishery a chance to recover. Angler input is vital to provide a balance between conservation and the values of our fishing community."

"Anglers are at the heart of this fishery, and their feedback will guide us in determining which measures are most pragmatic. We know regulation changes can impact fishing opportunities, but they remain our best option to give salmon populations a chance to recover. This consultation is about working together to protect a precious species and angling tradition and ensure the salmon remain viable as a wild species in New Zealand."

Fish & Game encourages anglers and interested members of the public to participate in the survey and contribute their perspectives. An information pack outlining the proposed regulatory options is available on the Fish & Game website.

The Councils will review the submissions before making any recommendations on regulatory changes to the Minister for Hunting and Fishing. Any regulation change recommendations will be made with the goal of increasing spawning to provide a better chance for salmon populations to rebuild for the benefit of anglers and communities.

The New Zealand Taxpayers' Union can reveal that the Department of Conservation's "Always Be Naturing" campaign, which will cost $2.07 million, is projected to bring in revenue and savings of $16.4 million through private‑sector partnerships, donations, and value‑in‑kind support over the campaign's three‑year timeframe.

Always Be Naturing is funded through the International Visitor Levy and aims to increase volunteering under limited public funding.

Taxpayers' Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:

"Too often government agencies just spend on glossy ads with no measurable return. In this case, DOC has unlocked millions in private‑sector support, resources and expertise that would otherwise never have materialised."

"The lesson for other ministries is clear that private sector partnerships work. Instead of asking for bigger budgets, agencies should be focused on how to attract private investment and deliver real value."

"This should be the model going forward. Smarter partnerships, less reliance on the taxpayer, and a clear focus on outcomes rather than just spending money."

The Official Information Act response can be found here.

Kai Iwi Lakes and its surrounding areas have officially been declared wild deer free - bringing us one step closer to achieving a wild deer free Northland.

Northland Regional Council's Kaipara General ward councillor John Blackwell says following the illegal release of approximately 30 known fallow deer in 2014, the last known sighting of a wild deer in the area (subsequently caught) was in 2019.

"To claim eradication means that we've had to survey an almost 20,000 hectare Kai Iwi Lakes project area with a fine-tooth comb, no mean feat given it stretches the coastline from Aranga Beach to north of Baylys Beach, with an inland boundary at State Highway 12."

Councillor Blackwell says cutting edge tools and proven methodologies had enabled the search to be done efficiently.

"Thermal drones, deer and scat (faeces) indicator dogs, trail cameras, and public sightings have all come back with 'zero' wild deer, which is fantastic."

He says despite the size of the area, the council can now confirm with some confidence that no wild deer are present.

"This work is important because even a few deer means that the population can quickly bounce back, undoing years of conservation gains in our forests and wetlands."

"This would be far worse and costlier to fix later - this one-off investment helps us secure long-term ecological health."

Councillor Blackwell says the project will now move into a low-impact monitoring phase and rely on public reporting to ensure the Kai Iwi Lakes area - a national treasure - remains wild deer free.

"Deer are selective browsers that graze on native vegetation, disrupting ecosystems and leading to poor regeneration of the forests." "Their over browsing and trampling can also lead to soil erosion -something we cannot allow in this iconic area."

He says as part of this project, additional ungulate (hoofed mammal) control was also carried out around the lakes, working with Kaipara District Council, surrounding landowners, and Te Roroa, all of whom share a strong commitment to protecting this special place.

"With the approval from the landowners, 26 feral goats and several feral pigs were removed from just a small area surrounding the lakes."

"This is a win for the ecosystem, especially as we continue working to safeguard Kai Iwi lakes from other threats, such as keeping freshwater invasive clams out of these lakes."

Councillor Blackwell says the wild deer free Kai Iwi Lakes project is part of the regional Wild Deer Free Northland programme, a joint initiative between the Northland Regional Council and the Department of Conservation.

The programme has gained a lot of support and widespread attention from the public and local hapū for its sika eradication project in the Russell Forest, which has now had 65 deer removed.

Any recoverable meat has been given to landowners or the local hapū. Positive feedback has been received by locals who have already noticed some regeneration of the forest.

"With the low, isolated wild deer populations, public support, new technologies, and cooperation from deer farmers, a wild deer free Northland is within reach."

Councillor Blackwell says Northland is fortunate to have the opportunity to safeguard its environment from out-of-control wild deer populations.

"As we've seen in some other regions, wild deer can also cause a lot of damage to our farming communities and native ecosystems, something we're determined to prevent here".

"Moreover, this programme helps maintain Northland's TB (tuberculosis) free status, which greatly benefits the regional economy, as illegally released deer may have been sourced from TB infected areas."

He says until the late 1980s, Northland was one of the few wild deer free regions in New Zealand and all populations here are either from illegal releases or deer farm escapes.

"Returning to a wild deer free region and defending this exclusion zone supports the bigger national picture for managing wild deer, as set out in DOC's Te Ara Ki Mua document."

Councillor Blackwell says the next focus area will be the Pouto peninsula, working together with local hapū/iwi and landowners.

"We would like to thank all those that have been reporting deer sightings around Northland."

"If landowners do happen to shoot deer in Northland, please let us know, as we'd like DNA samples from its ear clipping." "We also recommend photos or videos to be supplied as supporting evidence."

More information about the Wild Deer Free Northland programme is available at: https://www.nrc.govt.nz/wilddeer

If you see or hear wild deer, report it on 0800 FIND DEER (0800 346 333) or email the team on wilddeerteam@nrc.govt.nz

Today's decisions on West Coast stewardship land will deliver the long-overdue clarity that farmers and many others have been waiting for, Federated Farmers say.

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has confirmed that decisions have now been made on approximately 80% of stewardship land assessed on the West Coast - the most significant reclassification of public conservation land since DOC was founded in 1987.

Federated Farmers meat and wool chair Richard Dawkins says this is the certainty farmers have been asking for over many years.

"This decision puts to bed decades of confusion and gives farmers confidence about the future of the land they've responsibly managed for generations.

"Having appropriate classifications assigned finally means those who use the land, such as farmers, know what they can and can't do on that land.

"It's clarity, certainty and commonsense - and it's hugely appreciated.

Stewardship land has been a source of growing uncertainty because it was effectively a holding category created in 1987 when DOC was formed.

Land that didn't fit neatly into a particular classification - and was often important to local communities for grazing, mining, tourism and recreation - was parked in the stewardship basket since 1987 until a national review could take place.

"For nearly 40 years this land has just sat there in limbo. It badly needed to be sorted, and Minister Potaka has now done exactly that," Dawkins says.

"I want to also acknowledge Simon Cameron, Federated Farmers meat & wool vice chair, and West Coast president, who's done a huge amount of work on this.

He says many people had begun with the assumption stewardship land was inherently high-value conservation land.

"That's been frustrating, because much of this land was excluded from National Park status precisely because of its community value, long-standing grazing, and lower conservation attributes.

"People were starting to reinterpret what this land was, and that created real anxiety for the farmers with grazing licences.

"It had become a major headache, but today's decision ends that uncertainty.

More than 190,000 hectares will be protected under the Reserves Act, and over 300,000 hectares will receive additional protection under the Conservation Act.

Potaka says another 4300 hectares will be considered for addition to National Parks, and a further 3300 hectares will be investigated for disposal.

Existing rights such as grazing licences and tourism concessions will continue for their full term.

A key part of the announcement is that reclassified areas will become Conservation Park, supported by a much simpler and clearer planning framework that will be introduced in next year's proposed amendments to the Conservation Act.

The old system - with multiple overlapping strategies, management plans and interpretation challenges - will be replaced by just two documents: a National Policy Statement for Conservation, and a straightforward area plan.

"The Minister has assured us that grazing, mining, recreation and tourism will be clearly identified as permitted activities where appropriate," Dawkins says.

"That level of clarity is exactly what farmers need.

The West Coast reclassification covers 644,000 hectares, and Dawkins estimates more than 400,000 hectares currently have grazing licences attached.

"That's not new land. These are long-established runs - many farmers are managing pieces of land their families have grazed for generations," he says.

While Federated Farmers is strongly supportive of today's decision, Dawkins says some important details must still be worked through.

"As they say, the devil is in the detail.

"The first thing is tenure length. Current 10-year grazing licences with no right of renewal are inadequate for long-term farm planning.

"Ten years is not certainty - it's sitting on the fence. We're looking for 15-year licences as a minimum without public notification, and ideally 25 to 30 years.

The second is pricing. DOC has previously attempted to benchmark grazing licence fees against pastoral leases, despite pastoral lessees having exclusive possession - something grazing licensees on public conservation land do not enjoy.

"It's apples and oranges. Anyone can access these areas at any time under DOC rules, and that creates risks for both farmers and the public.

Dawkins says Federated Farmers will continue working with DOC to ensure access is well managed.

"We absolutely want hunters, trampers, rafters and tourists to enjoy these areas.

"We just need simple communication protocols so everyone knows who is where. It's about safety and giving people the best possible experience.

"If a farmer is heading up in a chopper to muster cattle back down a valley, they need to know if trampers are in the area or there could be some real problems for everyone.

Dawkins says today's announcement is a landmark moment.

"This has been hanging over farmers since 1987. Today the Government has delivered, and that means farmers can get on with managing the land well for the next generation.

Federated Farmers looks forward to continuing to work with Minister Potaka and DOC as the detail is finalised.

It is a relief to have much of the stewardship land on the West Coast now classified, says New Zealand Minerals Council chief executive Josie Vidal.

"This has been a football no one wanted to touch for too long, so we are pleased to see Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has picked it up and run it to the score line," Vidal says.

"Our main interest in the stewardship land review is that mining's existing rights to apply for access to conservation land are retained.

"While we submitted throughout this long process that none of the stewardship land should be reclassified as national park or Schedule 4 status - where mining is not permitted - we are pleased only a relatively small area is to be reclassified as national parks.

"This is considerably less than what was originally being proposed and there are no existing mining authorisations in these areas.

"The West Coast has potential for mining many of the critical minerals the world needs, and that are in fact, on the Critical Minerals List for New Zealand. Earth Sciences New Zealand/GNS Science has assessed that much of that potential lies in the conservation estate.

"We want to always keep the door open for considering prospecting for, exploration and development of mines on the conservation estate (other than national parks and other Schedule 4 land). Mining access applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. Approvals are only given following rigorous assessments and with the conservation value of the land taken into account. This system works well and should continue.

"It should also be noted mining's footprint is minimal, taking place on just 0.04% of conservation land.

"I want to make it clear that like most New Zealanders, the mining industry appreciates the importance of our unique environment and supports conservation efforts.

"In fact, mining companies make considerable contributions both in money and in people power, to conserving the environment and protecting indigenous biodiversity, both on mine sites and in their wider communities.

"Overall, we are pleased to see the balance of considerations has landed in a sensible place that supports environmental protection without stifling opportunities for regional development that creates jobs and contributes to both the regional and wider economy.

Helping our threatened banded dotterels survive starts with simple actions we can all take when visiting local beaches.

Banded dotterels, or pōhorewa, nest along Robinson Bay Beach (Eastbourne) and the Wainuiomata Coast. These small, well-camouflaged birds are found only in Aotearoa and are classed as Nationally Vulnerable.  The colony represent 8% of the Wellington Region's breeding population.

Their nests are so well hidden that people often walk past without noticing, making them especially at risk from people, dogs and vehicles. They are also easy prey for predators such as stoats, rats, hedgehogs and cats.

For more than a decade, volunteers from the Mainland Island Restoration Operation (MIRO) and NZ Birds have worked tirelessly to give the birds a fighting chance. During spring and summer, with the help of the Eastbourne Scouts, nest sites on Robinson Bay Beach are fenced off, signs erected asking dog owners to keep their pets on a lead, and a network of predator traps are laid.

MIRO spokesperson Parker Jones says when the project began, only 3% of nests successfully hatched each season. Now, thanks to community effort and careful monitoring, over 53% of nests survive.

"This success is very rewarding for the many trapping and monitoring volunteers as we can directly associate the success of the banded dotterels nests with the efforts of these volunteers".

Council's Community & Biodiversity Ranger, Claudia Eustace says Council plays an important role in the ongoing project to protect the banded dotterel.

"The Council's Ecology Team, part of our Parks and Reserves team, have been supporting MIRO's conservation efforts over the years through staff support and arranging pest weed removal to help the birds better camouflage at the beach.

"Council sees the value of supporting community-led projects like MIRO'S and appreciate that volunteers work hard behind the scenes to ensure the banded dotterel has a brighter future." 

The most important things beachgoers can do are:

• Keep dogs on a lead anywhere wildlife is present 
• Stay on marked tracks and avoid fenced nesting areas 
• Read and follow all signs at beach entrances 
• Give birds and chicks plenty of space 
• Report loose dogs or damaged fencing to Council 
• Keep cats at home, especially at night, if you live near coastal nesting areas 

Now in its fifteenth year, the partnership between MIRO, Hutt City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Taranaki Whānui ki Te Upoko o Te Ika, Department of Conservation and Birds New Zealand volunteers, is considered by some, as the longest-running and most successful conservation-by-management project for coastal-breeding banded dotterels in the country.  

Protecting these birds shows how small actions can make a big difference. By working together and caring for our coastal wildlife, we can help ensure banded dotterels continue to hatch, grow and thrive along our shores for years to come. 

The popular Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition returns to the Canterbury Museum Pop-Up from 19 September with a fresh batch of 100 spectacular animal images from around the world.

The exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum, London, gives visitors the chance to see a grizzly bear fishing in a sub-zero Canadian river, the nocturnal glow of a Chilean volcano and the intimate world of tiny insects. The stunning images on display also include a manatee and her adorably rotund calf floating in a Florida river, a jaguar sinking her teeth into a caiman in Brazil and a group of seals taking a nap in the ice floes of the Antarctic.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year, which is celebrating its 60th year, is the most prestigious photography event of its kind, providing a global showcase for some of the world’s best photographic talent.

This year’s competition attracted 59,228 entries from photographers of all ages and experience from 117 countries and territories. During an intense week at the Natural History Museum, London, entries were judged anonymously by an international panel of industry experts on their creativity, originality, and technical excellence.

The winning images, including the prestigious Grand Title Award winners and The People’s Choice Award, were announced last year during a glittering awards show hosted by wildlife presenters Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin.

The photograph of a manatee and her calf, which was highly commended in the competition, tells a hopeful story of environmental recovery. When photographer Jason Gulley first dived in Crystal River in Florida, the water was murky and manatees were sparse. Farming chemicals had washed into the river, killing the eelgrass beds that manatees feed on. After the community acted to restore the habitat, manatees returned in significant numbers.

Judging panel chair, Kathy Moran, says the 100 images capture a range of creatures, behaviours and conservation issues.

“These images represent the evolution of the competition through the years, from pure natural history to photography that fully embraces representation of the natural world – the beauty and the challenges. It is a powerful selection with which to kickstart a milestone anniversary.”

Natural History Museum Director, Dr Doug Gurr, says the exhibition marks a major milestone.

“As we celebrate 60 years of Wildlife Photographer of the Year, we also celebrate the generations of visitors who have been inspired by the beauty and majesty of its images, and the millions of connections made with nature.”

Canterbury Museum Tumuaki | Director Anthony Wright says previous exhibitions have been enormously popular when the Museum hosted them in 2019 and 2024.

“We are delighted to bring Wildlife Photographer of the Year back to Waitaha Canterbury. These captivating images and stories of wildlife from across the globe are much loved by Cantabrians and visitors.”

Exhibition details:

Canterbury Museum Pop-Up, 66 Gloucester Street, Christchurch. Exhibition runs 19 September to 1 February. Free entry; donations appreciated.

Image caption: As Clear As Crystal, Jason Gulley, (USA), Highly Commended, Wildlife Photographer of the Year

The Taxpayers’ Union has revealed through an Official Information Act request that the Department of Conservation (DOC) has spent $411,875 on the endangered southern Powelliphanta augusta snails.

Following the collapse of Solid Energy, DOC took over responsibility for the captive snails, with additional habitat restoration projects now costing more than $1 million.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator Rhys Hurley said:

“These snails have been in captivity since 2006. DOC has killed over 800 by accident, yet they’re still planning to spend millions and another five years till they'll all be fully released.”

“There have been multiple proposals for this programme, but instead DOC has bred over 4,000 snails in fridges in Hokitika and is now figuring out how to slow the breeding down as facilities hit capacity.”

“Taxpayers aren’t opposed to conservation, but the lack of substance in this scheme shows the ridiculousness of the system. It drains DOC funding away from other species, is unaccountable, and refuses to acknowledge success.”

“This is conservation at its most expensive and least effective. It's time to take the snails out of the fridge and make the hard decisions on protecting our native species.”

Kaimanawa Horse Advocates call out with the urgent need to find homes for around 200 Kaimanawa Horses from the Waiouru Ranges in April.

The official 2025 Muster count will be completed by the Dept of Conservation (DoC) within the next 2-3 weeks and will likely confirm that there over 500 horses in the Kaimanawa Ranges.

The push is on to find as many homes as possible for the 200 plus horses that will need to be removed in the muster which is planned for ANZAC weekend.

The horses are generally healthy, and foaling rates appear to be increasing.

Contraception for the mares was introduced in 2022 however it will be several breeding seasons before this significantly reduces the herd size to near the maintenance level target of 300 set by the Kaimanawa Wild Horse Advisory Group (KWHAG) including DoC.

Alternative less acceptable options will need to be explored if homes cannot be found.

Keeping the herd to around 300 allows for the horses to maintain the best condition, while also protecting the fragile ecosystems, unique to the Moawhango Ecological Zone.

Kaimanawa horses are known to be curious, honest, and friendly, are trained for a variety of equine disciplines, and are now being seen in the upper levels of equine competitions.

They have gained favour among the equestrian community as highly competitive sport horses, pony club mounts and good all-rounders.

Kaimanawa Heritage Horses Welfare Society Charity (KHH) continues to work on the development of rehoming incentives such as subsidies for the horse transport from the muster and support with welfare concerns and any treatment or rehabilitation immediately post muster.

There are options for the new owners to experience the taming of a wild horse themselves or having one trained initially by a proven professional.

With very low numbers of applications for horses received to date, time is fast running out for experienced horse owners to apply before the application deadline in early April.

KHH is more than happy to offer prospective new owners support and advice and encourage anyone interested to get in touch now.

Our welfare team members are ready to help with the application process.

Information and applications on rehoming a Kaimanawa wild horse can be found at:

Kaimanawa Heritage Horses Welfare Society:

Website: www.kaimanawaheritagehorses.org

Email: muster@kaimanawaheritagehorses.org

FB: https://www.facebook.com/kaimanawaheritagehorses/

The 18 takahē released on to 18,000ha of leasehold land in the Rees Valley near Queenstown was made possible thanks to a major predator control effort three years in the making.

Yesterday’s release of the 18 endangered flightless birds marked a major milestone for Southern Lakes Sanctuary, which led the land preparation in partnership with the custodians of the Rees Valley Station, Temple Peak Station and Mt Earnslaw Station, and supported by the Department of Conservation (DOC), Fulton Hogan and Ngāi Tahu.

The land area – the largest leasehold site (not public conservation land) in NZ to accommodate wild takahē – has seen a huge number of pests removed since Southern Lakes Sanctuary (SLS) began working on this project in 2022. Prior to the environmental consortium’s arrival, there were just 139 traps in the valley. Since 2022, a total of 596 traps have removed 1947 predators, including feral cats, stoats and rats, and the traps have been checked 5722 times.

Southern Lakes Sanctuary project director Paul Kavanagh says preparing the site for takahē has been a core focus for his team, but it requires ongoing resources to ensure the land is protected.

“It’s deeply rewarding to see what these proactive measures can lead to, and we’re grateful to the Scott Family, who are excellent custodians of the land,” he says. “The upper Whakatipu catchment area has the potential to sustain a population of up to 500 birds, which could see more than double the national number in the Rees Valley alone within the next 10 years. However, to achieve this, we need to give these taonga the best fighting chance by continually decreasing predator numbers.”

Rees Valley Station owner Iris Scott says it is truly magnificent to have takahē wandering the hills now.  

“We already have some great species here, but to re-introduce wildlife is an excellent goal,” she says. “In a way, it’s quite validating to know that we have maintained this environment in a state that it is still a habitat, which species from the past, can return to.” 

The Rees Valley is a mix of alpine tussock grassland, which is the optimal landscape for the endemic species. Takahē forage on starchy leaf bases of tussock and tussock seeds. When snow is heavy during the winter months, the bird moves into forests and will feed on the underground rhizomes of the summer green fern. 

It is estimated between 70 – 80 takahē will inhabit the Rees Valley by the end of 2025, with two future takahē releases scheduled for March and September. 

DOC takahē recovery senior ranger Glen Greaves says the robust pest control in the Rees is reassuring. 

“Southern Lakes Sanctuary’s work to reduce predator numbers is a significant factor behind why we chose the Rees,” he says. “Without SLS’ proactive work, we wouldn’t have takahē in the area.”

There are currently 528 takahē in New Zealand, with half of the population in the wild. 

To sustain the low predator numbers, ongoing funding is required to ensure takahē are protected from the future threat of mammalian predators. SLS’ work in the Rees Valley has been supported by RealNZ, Impact100, Lotteries, Stout Trust, Patagonia, QLDC, CLT, AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand and Heli Glenorchy. 

“The Rees Valley, which borders Mt Aspiring National Park and UNESCO World Heritage Area, is a strategically important site with the potential for total predator elimination. By removing pests in this area, we’re not only protecting takahē, but more than 15 threatened species including kea, pīwauwau/rock wren, pekapeka/bat and braided river birds,” Kavanagh adds.

A tiny and very rare Northland lake plant, Trithuria inconspicua, has been voted ‘New Zealand’s Favourite Plant’ in a national poll.

The online vote was run by the New Zealand Plant Conservation Network (NZPCN) to find the native plant best-loved by New Zealanders.

Trithuria only grows in Te Taitokerau’s dune lakes and is found nowhere else in the world.

Tiny in stature, Trithuria packs a mighty punch in age - the latest scientific research has revealed this little plant to be in the oldest flowering plant lineage.

Trithuria is in a plant family that has been around for over a hundred million years, so it is a ‘living fossil’.

The plant certainly lives up to its name of ‘inconspicua’. At only 55 millimetres tall, it grows partially buried in the sands of the lake floor, so you are more likely to feel it beneath your feet than see it. It has fans of fine, hair-like leaves in which it hides tiny flowers that look like miniature waterlilies.

Northland Regional Council (NRC) works in partnership with mana whenua, landowners and the Department of Conservation (DOC) to protect dune lakes and is delighted to celebrate Trithuria’s success.

"It’s so exciting that a Northland aquatic plant has won, and that people know and love this remarkable little plant," the council’s Biodiversity Manager Lisa Forester says.

Kaumātua Ric Pārore, speaking on behalf of Te Kuihi hapū, one of the mana whenua of Kai Iwi Lakes, says they’re thrilled to see Trithuria recognised, but also sad the plant has become so rare.

"It’s important that everyone who visits or uses our lakes is careful to look after them so this plant can thrive."

Unfortunately, the future for Trithuria is uncertain.

It is listed as ‘Threatened-Nationally Critical’, the highest threat category. Plant populations were previously found in 13 dune lakes north of Poutō, but since 1998 these have declined to viable populations in only five lakes.

Trithuria needs clean sand and water to survive and is effectively a ‘canary in the coalmine’ as far as water quality is concerned. It is threatened by deteriorating water quality due to nutrient enrichment, pest weed and pest fish impacts and recreational pressures.

Three of the lakes where Trithuria grows are public lakes where people like to swim or boat, which puts the plant at extra risk from being trampled or from accidental pest introductions.

Northland Regional Council, in conjunction with mana whenua, DOC and landowners, is currently running eradication programmes for hornwort and oxygen weeds in several high value dune lakes.

Councillor Jack Craw, who chairs the council’s Biosecurity and Biodiversity Working Party, says Te Taitokerau’s dune lakes are one of our outstanding ecosystems and are globally rare.

"Trithuria is a wonderful example of why these lakes are so special and its recognition as plant of the year is a reminder to us all of the importance of caring for our dune lakes."

Councillor Craw says dune lakes and their biodiversity face many threats, including the risk of introduced pests like the invasive gold clam, which is now present in the Waikato River area.

"If this got into our lakes it would be disastrous and would almost certainly lead to the extinction of Trithuria in those lakes."

He says Northlanders can help prevent the spread of aquatic pests by following ‘Check Clean Dry’ procedures when visiting the lakes.

If you do see Trithuria, the NRC urges you not to pick it, dig it up or trample it...just leave it undisturbed. (It is very difficult to grow and will not survive in an aquarium or home pond.)

For more information on this special plant visit: www.nrc.govt.nz/trithuria