April 2025 Newsletter

Upcoming Volunteer Trips

We have this midweek volunteer trip coming up, travelling by Dreamweaver from Pier Z:

Wednesday 21 May

If you are a group interested in joining this trip (or another date), please email Simon at volunteermotuihe@gmail.com

We have these volunteer trips coming up, all travelling by water taxi from Okahu Bay:

Wednesday May 7th (controlling invasive weeds, track clearing)
Sunday May 11th (general volunteer day - controlling invasive weeds, track clearing, penguins, shearwaters) (full)
Sunday May 18th (endangered plants)
Saturday May 24th (International students rescheduled - leaders needed. Planting day)
Wednesday June 4th (controlling invasive weeds, track clearing)
Saturday June 7th (controlling invasive weeds, specialist weeding training)

Individuals can book on any of these trips by registering here:
https://motuihetrust.my.site.com/volunteer/s/weekend-volunteer
or email operations@motuihe.org.nz

Planting leaders, please get in touch if you are able to help on Saturday May 24th.
It will be a nostalgic trip on the Red Boats, free of charge for leaders.

Volunteering Opportunities

We have a number of projects planned to improve our working and accommodation area, including building a second toilet. We're looking for volunteers to help with these projects - no experience needed, but would prefer a practical and enthusiastic outlook. Some muscles would also be an advantage.

We are in need of a gas fitter to replace a faulty thermostat on our stove. We have the part ready to go.

We are always on the lookout for new volunteers to join our weeding crew for controlling moth plant and woolly nightshade over winter. Full training and support are offered to those who are keen to join - it's a fun activity, better than joining the gym!

We are on the lookout for volunteers to join our specialist weeding team to eradicate some new weeds appearing on the island. It's less physical than our usual control, but just as rewarding. We've arranged a training day for June 7th for anyone who would like to find out more.

Contact operations@motuihe.org.nz to find out more about any of these activities.

Photography competition

We're proud to launch our photo competition, entries are now open until September 1st. Full details are available in the this flyer link

So start looking through your favourite photos taken on Motuihe and give some thought to which ones you'd like to enter. (Photos previously entered into our 2008 photo competition regretfully will not be accepted again).

What a Difference We've Made!

In November this year, we celebrate 25 years of the Motuihe Project. It's a great time to reflect on how far we've come - these photos from 2007 and 2024 tell a great story. Thanks to everyone who has been part of the success.

Motuihe in 2007 Motuihe in 2024

WWF

Our Motuihe project was featured in the WWF newsletter this month.
You can read all about us here:

https://wwf.org.nz/news/community-conservation/wildlife-thriving-pest-free-oasis-hauraki-gulf

We are very grateful to have received a generous WWF grant, which is contributing towards our travel costs to the island.

Saturday April 12th - Endangered Plants Trip

A team of 15 headed over to Motuihe for a very productive rare plants trip. Last season's planting sites were checked over as part of quarterly monitoring to assess the survival and growth of kākābeak plants. While many plants haven't survived the dry summer and unwanted attention from pukeko, the site at South Beach is a star performer - the largest plant measures 2.6m across!

This year's planting sites were given attention, with some diligent hand weeding of mothplant, to ensure they are clear of plant pests before the next kākābeak go into the ground. If the regular rain continues, we should be able to start planting soon. Our success in the nursery means we have lots of plants to get into the ground this winter.

The nursery team were busy; replacing spent kākābeak in the nursery trugs, sowing seed, pricking out seedlings and shifting existing plants into the B Block to harden up ready for the planting season (and to make more space as the shade house bulges at the seams). On top of this, an additional collection of mistletoe seeds (Ileostylus micranthus) was applied to tōtara, bringing the total seed 'sown' for this species up to 130. The seed applied during the last trip was checked and the team were delighted to see that it is beginning to sprout. No doubt the rain is doing it good.

A huge thanks to all our regular participants for your hard work and good cheer!

Volunteers measure the kākābeak plants thriving at the South Coast site
(Photo: Lois Badham)

Wednesday April 23th - Weeding Trip

A small team of dedicated weeders set out on what turned out to be the perfect day for weeding - not too hot, and no rain. We were very lucky to have calm weather in amongst the storms and bad weather that have been hitting the Auckland area.

We headed out in the direction of Bald Knob, and toiled long and hard down the steep banks towards the coast. We were joined by kakariki, tieke and my favourite fantails cheering us on. It's always been a weedy area, so we were not surprised to find mothplants and woolly nightshade growing. The good news is that there is far less than at this time last year, which means we're making good inroads into getting this area cleared. Three bags of pods were collected, always satisfying to hear the dull thud of these pods hitting the bottom of our mothplant pod drum!

(Photo: John Lawrence)

It was also lovely to see puriri, taraire and kohekohe seedlings growing amongst the colonising trees in this area; these appear to have self-seeded and will hopefully continue to thrive without being overgrown by invasive weeds.

No doubt everyone slept well that night with a few weary muscles!

We rely on grants and donations to run our project. Scan the QR code if you'd like to donate:
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