Mātai Kōkako Conservation Project
EST 2022
CYCLONE GABRIELLE
On 14 February 2023, New Zealand was struck by Cyclone Gabrielle. It took us a long time to realise how much damage this had caused, deep in our bush. The trees in our bush suffered severe damage, blocking many of our pest lines and jamming the waterways with fallen trees and debris. Our northern neighbours, who kindly allow us to use their tracks to access our perimeter lines, lost dozens of pine trees.As we got back into the tracks, we realised how much leaf matter had been torn from the trees. The forest floor was covered in significant amounts of fresh debris. The canopy has noticeably thinned across the whole site.The amount of bird noise and activity dropped overnight. Very worrying.
In March 2023 we started the process of clearing the northern neighbour’s track so that we could maintain access to our lines. This process stalled as the continuing wet weather made the tracks impassable. This tree removal process will recommence in early 2024. See the photos below.
In March 2023 we started the process of clearing the northern neighbour’s track so that we could maintain access to our lines. This process stalled as the continuing wet weather made the tracks impassable. This tree removal process will recommence in early 2024. See the photos below.
Pine trees across the north track.
Native bush damage. Kānuka across the streams.
Trying to get rid of the pines
More native bush damage in the streams.
To help us with the mammoth task of clearing the cyclone damage and opening up various pest lines deep inside the bush, on the weekend of 19 August 2023 we held our inaugural ‘Bush Bash’. The family WhatsApp elicited some keen family members. They were referred to as ‘The Nephs’ even though there were also some very useful nieces in there helping out.
This solid effort with chainsaws, slashers, spades and axes managed to clean up the damage, cut steps to make the tracks easier to navigate and reinstated the damaged traps, bait stations and track signage.
Thankfully, we have noticed a slow re-emergence of the bird life in our bush, with the return of all our favourites.A huge thank you to Christian, Barbie, Asha, Holly, Glen and Josh. Your help was invaluable.