Protecting a treasure of Fiordland.
Te Roopu o Whakatipu Waitai | Martins Bay, Lower Hollyford Valley
Protecting a treasure
of Fiordland.
Te Roopu o Whakatipu Waitai –
Martins Bay, Lower Hollyford Valley
Rich and diverse podocarp and rātā forest.
World-recognised wetlands.
Pristine dune systems.
Bottlenose dolphins swim upriver to a freshwater lake.
The lower Hollyford Valley packs a ‘biodiversity punch’, with an incredible range of habitats and species within a relatively confined area, unparalleled anywhere in Aotearoa.
Since 2014, the Hollyford Conservation Trust – Te Roopu Manaaki o Whakatipu Waitai – has worked to establish sustained predator control across an initial 2600 hectares to today’s 12,000 hectares, to restore and protect the ecology of this remarkable corner of the world.
We want to see a healthy and thriving native ecosystem with diverse and abundant bird life free from the risk of predation by possums, stoats and rats.
A biodiversity hotspot.
Martins Bay lies at the end of the Hollyford Valley in World Heritage Status Te Wāhipounamu, Fiordland National Park, New Zealand.
We have worked tirelessly on sustained predator control across the lower Hollyford Valley since 2014, and achieved significant increases in populations of:
-
kakaruai/South Island robin (re-introduced 2019) – now multiplying throughout the area
-
kākā – now numerous in large flocks
-
mātātā/fernbird – once very rare but now a common sight, almost everywhere
-
matuku-hūrepo/bittern – a growing population (IUCN classified as nationally critical)
-
an abundance of forest birds – tūī, korimako/bellbird, miromiro/tomtit, riroriro/grey warbler, kākāriki, tītitipounamu/rifleman, kēreru, kārearea/NZ falcon and many others – come and hear the deafening dawn chorus for yourselves.
-
restoration of the forest canopy, including red-flowering rātā, native orchids and rare native mistletoe.
OUR VISION
To protect, enhance and restore all native flora and fauna for the enjoyment of all, today and for generations well into the future.
Like all conservation projects, we are dependent on donations. If you can help, we’d be very grateful.
A big thanks to our major supporters
Our goals
-
To protect and enhance existing species and communities that have survived in the valley, within self-sustaining populations, similar to what would have existed prior to the arrival of introduced pests/predators to the area.
-
To use best practice pest control operations to create a protected area that allows natural recolonisation of native species from adjacent areas.
-
To reintroduce locally extinct native species back to the project area.
-
To facilitate control of weeds, working closely with local Council and the Department of Conservation.
-
To ensure the project remains a community activity that recognises cultural, social and recreational values.