This partnership, started in 2008, aims to protect some of our most precious taonga in one of the most stunning and least-known areas of the North Island. Blue Duck (Whio), North Island Brown Kiwi, and old growth forest will be protected by the combined pest control efforts of DoC, Horizons, landowners and iwi.
The project area is centered on the Whanganui National Park, west of Ohakune, and includes long sections of the scenic Whanganui, Retaruke and Maunganui o te Ao rivers.
Over the next 10 years we hope to have:
The entire area (180,000 ha) under possum and rat control, and receiving pest plant control
35,000 ha receiving goat control
50 km of the Retaruke and Manganui o te Ao rivers protected from stoats and cats
A large number of the privately-owned bush remnants and wetlands in the project area are fenced to prevent stock access, and
Significantly increase Kiwi, Blue Duck (Whio) and other wildlife numbers and improve forest health.