NZDF helps protect ecosystem
The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is laying down its guns and helping regenerate the delicate natural environment of the South Island’s high country.
The pristine highland area of the Mackenzie Basin is home to more than 30 native, endangered plant, bird and insect species, including the black stilt (kaki), jewelled gecko, rock wren and at least six native lizard species.
The NZDF joined forces with the Department of Conservation, the Next Foundation, landholders and iwi to protect native broom and tussock after years of decline.
It’s helping because of the size of its 17,000-hectare military camp at Tekapo. This is the largest stretch of continous non-grazed land in the upper Mackenzie Basin.
NZDF principal ecologist Stephen Phillipson said it had been ramping up its regeneration work, particularly after the Tekapo Military Camp received a further 8300ha of land as a result of tenure review.
‘‘There were all sorts of species that were declining all over the place. Thanks to our planting and pest control, we have been able to restore a lot of species, or at least provide habitats.’’
He said NZDF’s vegetation-monitoring system at Tekapo was centred around determining the effects of its activities on native ecosystems. The approach to fauna was different, with NZDF avoiding areas that were known to be important.
One of the projects of Te Manahuna Aoraki involves NZDF, in partnership with Ngai Tahu, creating diversion weirs to stop invasive trout clogging up the waterways, and improving the passages for native fish.
NZDF Tekapo warden Sam Staley said they were already seeing the results. ‘‘Since we put the weir in, we’ve been able to collect hundreds of trout and diverted them to other river systems.
‘‘What we’ve been able to determine from early surveys is that the native fish population is sustainable.’’
According to Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage, Te Manahuna Aoraki’s latest project had brought various agencies together, and could be a model for other conservation projects.