Community mahi: meet the neighbours managing our traplines

As Rosedale Park continues to flourish through our restoration efforts, we are seeing the welcome return of native birds and flora. However, this success also brings challenges, because it increases the food supply for animal pests such as rats, possums, and ferrets.

Aaron from Ironhawk setting up traps with our Co-ordinator Elouise

To combat this, in collaboration with local businesses, we have launched a trapline plan to create a protective “halo” across the Oteha Basin, helping to safeguard our native ecosystems. 

Pest management is a key part of our goal to create a safer environment for birds and wildlife within the park and surrounding areas.

With support from Louis Foot of the Upper Waitematā Ecology Network, trapline teams are being educated on how to safely and effectively use trapping equipment provided by Te Hononga a Iwi, Auckland Council, and UWEN.

This plan is supported by local businesses Quinovic North Harbour, Gurit, and Ironhawk, who are all generously volunteering their time to manage traplines. It’s a real team effort! 

Aaron Beard from Ironhawk explains he was eager to get involved because of his philosophy of looking after the land and those around you.

“I have friends and family overseas that I can’t help, but their neighbours help them, I like to do the same in turn. We incorporate the same into our business, we want to be good neighbours and support those around us.”

The spirit of collaboration and community support is clear among everyone involved in this project. Nicky Lewis from Quinovic North Harbour explains that joining the project “felt like a meaningful way to contribute to our local community while supporting Predator Free 2050 Kaupapa.” 

Gurit has also embraced the project as part of its broader sustainability journey. Peter Wright says they have a number of passionate people looking for opportunities to help in the community. 

“When we came across Te Hononga a Iwi, we were on board with helping clear space, and plant trees – but it was a once/twice a year event and then forgotten. Then the traplines came up and it was a great excuse to get out in the bush and directly help the project all year round.

“We have a dedicated team of trapliners who share and discuss the findings for each run, and the more squeamish of the office are still interested in how successful each run is.”

All this mahi has led to considerable success. Following  the set-up of just 40 traps, we have already seen pīwakawaka return to residence in Rosedale Park. This gives us confidence that we are on the right track to creating a safe environment for native species to continue to return.

The regeneration of the bush is something many in the community are noticing. Nicky experiences this firsthand when out trapping.

“It has been incredibly rewarding to witness the bush rejuvenation that has occurred in a relatively short period of time.”

And it’s not just birds returning. Community members are spending more time in the park as well.

“When I first started, I rarely came across anyone else in this part of the reserve. Now, almost every visit I see people of all ages enjoying the tracks and spending time in the bush,” says Nicky.

Projects like this highlight the impact we can have when all work together. 

“Doing this has meant we are in regular contact with our business neighbours and makes us more aware of our impact on the environment around us. Ideally I would like to buddy up with other businesses to see if we can do more together,” says Aaron. 

Nicky from Quinovic North Harbour in action!