Welcomed by President Michele
Vistors ( Buddy ) Michele A'Court and Taren Baronian
Environmental talk
Michele gave a quick rundown on the Maungatautari Sanctuary Mountain
Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari began with a dream to protect the plant and animal species living on Maungatautari. This ancient eco-system has been recognised as a reserve since 1912 and nearly 100 years later the community came together to restore and protect this precious environment with a pest-proof fence.
By removing all mammals from Maungatautari it has provided a safe environment to reintroduce some of New Zealand’s most endangered species back to their natural habitat.
The club is keen to do a day trip to pay a visit.
Speaker:
Hans Prendergast - Ōtanewainuku Trust 
The Ōtanewainuku Kiwi Trust is a community-based conservation trust that was established in 2002 by Te Puke Forest and Bird and local community following the growing concern of the declining North Island brown kiwi in the pristine Ōtanewainuku Forest. The trust is a registered charity that promotes the protection of kiwi and other indigenous species in the forest. The virgin, unlogged Ōtanewainuku forest is home to thriving native birds and wildlife, including the kōkako. The trust’s vision is to protect and restore the indigenous ecosystem and biodiversity of Ōtanewainuku.
Hans is passionate in his approach and his efforts in restoring the forest. He mentioned that while kōkako are well on the way to recovery, it would be at least 10 years before the birds would reach the levels he was used to as a young boy.
“Never doubt that a small team can change the world” – Hans explained there is a large contingent of volunteers working on the Trusts projects. Without this group of enthusiastic volunteers the Trust vision would not be achievable or affordable.
Projects highlighted include:
Over 180 km of trap and bait station lines
- 250 stoat trap tunnels
- 2142 bait stations within 1200ha of the Ōtanewainuku Conservation Area
- Originally estimated to be around 30 million Kiwi in NZ. Now around 70,000
- North Island Brown Eastern Taxon kiwi estimated to be about 7,000
- Kiwi eggs and chicks get eaten by predators where there is no protection
- Out of every 100 kiwi eggs laid only five kiwi chicks will make it to adulthood
- An average of 27 kiwi are killed by predators EVERY WEEK. That’s a population decline of around 1,400 kiwi every year (or 2%)
- Kiwi may disappear from the mainland in our lifetime. Just one hundred years ago, kiwi numbered in the millions In areas where predators are controlled, 50-60% of chicks survive.
- When areas are not under management 95% of kiwi die before reaching breeding age
- Over 4000 predators trapped since the start of the Trust’s work
- Over 600 possums were removed from the bush in the past year
Hans parting thought: “When the forest flourishes – the people flourish” - Go to
kiwitrust.org if you would like to get involved.
Raffle:
Finally won by ( Me ) Wayne Shadbolt.
Sergeant:
Henry spoke about the significance of Thanksgiving in his country the United States, emphasizing the importance of cherishing and celebrating time spent with family and being grateful for what we have today.
He randomly suggested that we take advantage of Black Friday sales and keep an eye out for Cyber Monday online sales to purchase Christmas gifts.
Notices & Announcements:
- Survey- Last chance to complete it before the next board meeting
- 16th Ave Theatre production- Another Rotary club may be interested in joining with some Sunrise members to attend if dates suit. Advise Lisa
- Sports Marshalling- Michelle requested final names to marshal at the event.
- Taste of Waikato Books- One remaining. Koha donation for anyone interested.
- Xmas at the Beaton's- Please let Michelle or Simon know if attending on 17th December.
