Marunui Conservation win Trapper of the Year award

Enthusiastic trappers and weed warriors gathered recently in Waipu for the annual Piroa-Brynderwyns Landcare (PBL) awards evening.

Another very successful year has seen huge growth in the number of predator trapping and weed neighbourhood groups.

Over 3000 pest animals have been removed in the last 12 months from the PBL 25,000-hectare conservation area, with a large emphasis on removing mustelids (ferrets, stoats and weasels), possums and rats, which are the biggest threats to kiwi and other native species.

Large infestations of pest plants have also been removed or controlled including wilding pines, Taiwan cherry, wild ginger, moth plant and tobacco weed. See more of these results in the scoreboard graphic below.

Award winners this year were:

· TOTY (Trapper of the Year): Marunui Conservation. In recognition of the highest pest animal catch numbers and their dedicated trapping programme for over 20 years.

· ROTY (Rookie Trapper of the Year): Catherine Clark. Catherine has recently joined the Waiarohi Tracks Trust and is now a familiar daily trap checker with an impressive possum and rat tally.

· WWOTY (Weed Warrior of the Year): Lew Randall. Has been a motivating force behind a small group tackling and restoring a weed infested wetland on King Rd, near Mangawhai.

· Quiz winning team: Mahi, led by Simon Cox. The trickiest quiz question this year was ‘Where in Northland would you find the native Mohua bird?’

The efforts of this conservation group are largely volunteer and generously supported by Northland Regional Council, local landowners and businesses. A huge shout out to the generous contribution these groups make.

Volunteers needed for growth of important work
We're always on the lookout for new people to help us in our work. There's plenty of variety in the work. Some work is outdoors in the hills doing trap lines, some is chipping away at pest plants in local reserves with like-minded people. We also have room for marketing and grant funding talents, writers/reporters, social media

gurus, organisers and project delivery coordinators. If you're new to the area or just looking for a way to connect with others and make a meaningful contribution, let us know what spins your wheels and we'd love to find a role for you. Contacts for trapping: Graeme 021 118 4816; for pest plants Sara 022 010 4092; for all other enquiries Ann 027 432 1833.

A popular Piroa-Brynderwyns Landcare Trappr of the Year awards night 2021 with emcee Graeme Giles. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Catherine doesn’t give a rats!

Rookie Trapper of the Year 2021 Catherine Clark celebrates her trapping success at Langs Beach Scenic Reserve. Since being introduced to trapping possums and rats Catherine has shown what an enthusiastic and extraordinarily keen trapper she is by being out in the reserve checking her traps every day. For Catherine it's enjoyable exercise and part of her 8000-plus steps a day.