May 2010 - Kapiti Is visit
Two minibus loads and several cars took 42 of our valued volunteers to visit Kapiti Island. With our permits and boat trip organised, armed with lunch and drinks (there was no Gwen to provide) most of the party climbed to the summit of Kapiti (1500ft). We were lucky to see some of NZ's rarer birds - including the Takahe, Kaka, Stitchbird, Saddleback. Some were priviledged to hear the elusive Kokako. A great weekend that gave us lots of inspiration and ideas of what Rotokare could be.

Art Auction
Proceeds from 79 local and also well known artists were auctioned and over $11000 raised. Over 150 people attended the night, enjoying wine and cheese and the entertaining McDonald Realestate auctioneers. Top price of $800 was for a Janet Marshall painting and a John Key work sold for $400. People came away with some good purchases as well as a good night out.

"Barrier free" track opening
And this from the "Stratford Press". The first 600m of the Rotokare round the lake walkway is now a smooth all-weather track, that will enable even wheelchair users to enjoy the bush. On Monday 25 guests went along to the wildlife reserve to testrun/walk/roll the newly completed track. Guests included trustmembers, several members of the public, visitors from Mercy JenkinsRest Home, South Taranaki District Council, WINZ, and the TaranakiDisabilities Information Centre Trust.Since November 2009, Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust has been upgradingthe existing 4km-walking track around the lake, thanks to funding fromthe Significant Community Based Projects Fund. “The new track is the result of several months of hard work, technical advice from DOC staff and some good tips from the Taranaki Disabilities Information Trust. Rotokare’s Site Manager Simon Collins, Work was carried out by volunteers and four Community Max employees (a WINZ work initiative to get youth in to the workforce). The first 600m of the track has changed from an uneven grassy challenge to a wide smooth all-weather track, now useable by a widernumber of community users, including the wheelchair-bound. Following a test by visitors, all came back with glowing reports. Boggy areas on the west side of the lake have also had a boost, with the addition of 300m of boardwalk.

Friday 7th May
Many well known artists, such as Janet Marshall, local artists and Rotokare supporters have donated artworks for auction. MacDonald Realestate are the Auctioneers for the night.

Open walk around the pest-proof fence
On sunday the 11th of April we will be offering the public an opportunity to get up close and personal with the pest-proof fence. The walk will include 6km of challenging terrain, so a good level of fitness is required. $10 suggested donation - as a fundraiser towards further restoration of Rotokare. BBQ & drinks available. All Welcome. Contact: Kara 0272 240 165 Cancellation due to bad weather will be announced on Classic Hits Radio Station from 8am

March 2010
The site managers accomodation and education building renovations are underway. Builders and our WINZ workers are completing the house that was moved onto site that will house our site manager. The education buildings (the old Mangamingi School) will be restored to its former glory and will be the base for our education unit.

Barrier Free track
Thanks to all the hardwork put in to improve the start of the walking track and upgrade some of the boardwalks. See photos under track upgrade.

Celebration day 27 Nov 2009
The weather turned on a beautiful calm day for the fence completion celebrations for the many "Friends" and supporters of the project. Following speeches from the Minister of Conservation and other invited speakers, Mrs Joan O'Connor - a long time resident - unveiled the commemorative plaque. Look under photo gallery for photos of the event.

New Educator appointed

Opening Ceremony

A BIG THANKS

FIRST PLANTING DAY GOES WELL

Revegetation planting days

Educator position June 09

Revegetation
10,000 eco sourced plants (manuku and karamu) will be planted in the fence inclusion areas over the next few months.

Carpark May 2009
The carpark tarsealing landscaping and surrounds have been finished as per plan. Picnic tables are in place in the grassy areas and bollards have been placed between the tarseal and grass to give a barrier between people and vehicles, whilst still allowing plenty of parking.

Lake closed to users at the Reserve

Reserve gates back in action

Human pests attack gates

Second run of tracking tunnels

Seasons Greetings

Tracking tunnels Nov 08

Second aerial drop Oct08
The weather gods were once again on the side of the organisers with almost perfect conditions. Now it is wait and see for a few months to see the success. Tracking tunnels will be used to determine if there are any little pests still around.

Aerial pest eradication drop
After weeks of atrocious weather the big day dawned with perfect conditions. Volunteers were up with the birds for their briefing, before taking up strategic spots around the fence line to ensure that everything went to plan. The Skyworks helicopter and support crew ensured that the drop went smoothly and all was completed by 3pm. Subsequent tracking tunnel reports are very positive. See photo gallery for pictures of the day

Fence and gates complete!
In mid July Xcluder Fence Company returned to install the main electronic entrance gates ..... the Reserve is now totally pest proof and ready for the pest eradication. All we need now is some fine weather for rodent bait application....?!?!

Banrock Station Wines visit Rotokare
On Tuesday May 13th, Banrock Station Wine members visited Rotokare to check out the project and find out about our hopes to bring the endangered pateke (or Brown Teal) back to Taranaki. It was a stunning day - perfect for showing off the fence and views of the reserve from strategic points on the ridge line. We hope that Banrock is impressed enough to consider funding part of our programme in the near future. Every bottle of Banrock wine we purchase goes towards wetland conservation in NZ - happy drinking!

Open Walk Review
Our Easter monday open walk around the predator-proof fence was a success! Beautiful weather resulted in good views from the ridge tops; interesting talks from the volunteer guides; fantastic food - a sausage sizzle and (just!) 6 choices of yummy quiche to choose from; and of course, fantastic company to match. Thank you to everyone who came out to support the Trust, we look forward to organising the next event!

Prime Minister visits Rotokare
On Wednesday the 6th of June Prime Minister Helen Clark called in to see the conservation efforts being carried out at Rotokare. Helen Clark was invited to speak as part of a Trust progress celebration - she spoke about the importance of projects such as Rotokare and their significant contribution to conservation and the recovery of endangered species. A surprise announcement was then made and the Prime Minister presented the Trust with a large cheque for $578,699. We are absolutely thrilled to recieve this grant (from the Significant Community Based Projects Fund) as it is the result of a lot of hard work, not only throughout the application process but also by all of the community who have gotten behind this project to make it the success it is. The funding will go towards the last part of fence completion, carpark and walking track upgrade, and the planned pest eradication to enable the translocation of endangered species such as kiwi, saddleback and kokako.

Celebrity Art Auction
On Friday the 25th of May the Eltham Village Gallery organised a celebrity art auction to raise funds for the gallery and Rotokare Trust. Works of art were donated by over thirty local and national celebrities - Micheal Smither, John Key, the mayors, and Joyce Young to name a few. A fantastic night was had by all. A huge thank you must go to the community for their generous support, and all those who donated art to the cause. Thank you also to The Mill Liquorsave Stratford for donating wine, Eltham Four Square for the non-alchoholic beverages, and Mainland Eltham for the delicious cheese.