Mid North/Bay of Islands
The mid-North / Bay of Islands High Value Area spans more than 40,000ha. Its coastal shrublands support areas with large kiwi populations and threatened species including pāteke (brown teal), kūkupa (native pigeon), pupurangi (kauri snail), weka, kakariki (native parakeet), and some threatened shore bird species.
Ecological values – what are we trying to protect/restore?
Set within the ecological areas of Bay of Islands, southern Whangaroa and Kaikohe/Hokianga, this ecological stronghold has highly concentrated pockets of Northland brown kiwi.
Threats
Many animal pests, including ferrets and some weed species, are threats to the biodiversity of this rich habitat for native plants and animals.
Progress – what’s being done?
Community landcare groups, iwi/hapū, government agencies, forestry companies and other organisations are working together to restore biodiversity. New and established conservation initiatives and projects are stabilising and increasing kiwi populations and helping to bring birds back to the mainland from nearby predator free islands.
These community-based efforts are rebuilding populations of other native species and connecting isolated areas of biodiversity in the mid-North. Reconnecting populations of native species from the Bay of Islands to Puketi Forest (and vice versa) is a long-term vision of the mid-North strategic plan for pest management.
Watch the community groups in action
Key stats
In the last two years 25,346 pests have been removed from the area, including:
- 398 feral cats
- 1 ferret
- 981 hedgehogs
- 2,084 mice
- 1,012 pest birds
- 9,540 possums
- 9,432 rats
- 395 stoats
- 183 weasels
Feral pigs, rabbits, and wasp nests have also been controlled and removed.
Map - Mid North/Bay of Islands High Value Area
Support of Northland Regional Council
Council has supported 14 Community Pest Control Programmes and 25 Environment Fund projects in the area during the past 12 years.
