Special projects
Upper Kaipo Whio Project
In collaboration with the Recreational Backcountry Pilots Association, the Hollyford Conservation Trust has now established the Upper Kaipo Whio Project – the upper stretch of the river (in addition to the traplines on the mid to lower Kaipo, earlier established) – to protect the local population of endangered whio (blue duck). Since 2024, another 24 km of track lines with 240 double-set DOC200 trap boxes (480 traps) has been installed along the edge of the upper Kaipo River, much of this in very challenging country but critical whio habitat. This means the entire Kaipo River is now protected – from the iconic Kaipo Wall to the Tasman Sea at Kaipo Bay – ensuring not only the protection of existing whio, but ensuring a thriving future population. Other endangered species here such as kea and pīwauwau / rock wren are also expected to benefit. This work has been made possible by generous donations from the Hugo Charitable Trust.
The Cliff Broad Memorial Fund
Established in 2018 in memory of Cliff Broad, who had a lifelong love of the entire Hollyford Valley, from the Homer area and Mt Talbot all the way to Whakatipu Waitai/Martins Bay. He was just a teenager when he first came to the area, and on his last trip to Gunn’s Camp in the lower Hollyford, he was over 80 years old.
Cliff took his three children (Lindsay, Alison and Sarah) to the Hollyford on many occasions since they were very young. His daughter, Alison, recalls ‘We have many happy memories of nights spent at the Homer Hut, Gunn’s Camp, the Hidden Falls, Pyke and Alabaster huts, and of course at Martins Bay as well, and wonderful adventures and expeditions during the days there.’
Cliff walked the Hollyford track on many occasions over the years and was also very familiar with most routes in the Hollyford catchment. In his early years he also climbed several peaks in the Darran Mountains.
While his most adventurous times were in his younger years, his love for and enjoyment of the area never faded. He also enjoyed his associations with people in the Hollyford, including Davey Gunn, and later Davey’s son Murray.
Thank you to the Broad family for their generous donation and ongoing support of the Trust.
Cliff Broad Tawaki project
The Cliff Broad Tawaki predator control project is a trapping line along the rocky coastline to the north of Whakatipu Waitai/Martins Bay to protect tawaki/Fiordland crested penguins during the breeding season. This project is funded by a generous donation from the Broad family in memory of their father, Cliff Broad, who had a special bond with the Hollyford Valley and Martins Bay.
Stoats are the major land-based threat for tawaki. They prey on both chicks and sick or injured adults, so predator control during the breeding season is important to allow the chicks to fledge. In July, tawaki return to their nests from their long journey at sea. They typically lay two eggs in July/August, and the chicks fledge in late November/December. Tawaki are also vulnerable during moulting, which is typically around January/February.
Not a lot is known about tawaki. Very little research has been done on this species, especially compared to other species such as the yellow-eyed penguin. A not-for-profit organisation called The Tawaki Project has been set up as a long-term study of the marine ecology, breeding biology and population dynamics of the world’s least known, most enigmatic penguin species.
Predator control
Approximately 73 A24 traps with a stoat lure have been installed at 100m spacings along the coast, to just north of Penguin Rock. The trapping line forms a loop coming back over the ridgeline, with another 45 A24 traps set every 200m along this section. The self-setting traps are serviced by volunteers three times a year to ensure year-round protection to wildlife in the area. The Trust has been fortunate to have Mike and Don McConchie continuing to volunteer their time to cut, mark and maintain this trapping line. This predator control is reinforced by the surrounding predator control network.
