May 2022
RNRP Report - Discussion
5. Discussion
The RNRP continues to be a valuable site for undertaking rigorous scientific testing of
conservation techniques, as well as protecting the biodiversity values of the honeydew
ecosystem. The main body of work undertaken in 2019/20 was the pindone ground-control
operation, which attempted to control the rodent population within the core area of the
RNRP after the 2018/19 mega beech mast. However, this was not successful in reaching
the target of reducing rat tracking to below 5%. Additional funding has been confirmed for
the Tiakina Ngā Manu programme to carry out an aerial 1080 operation that covers 33 000
ha of Nelson Lakes National Park and Howard Conservation Area in the 2020/21 financial
year.
The nationwide COVID-19 lockdown caused a large disruption to work plans in the RNRP
from mid-March to mid-May 2020, and much of the missed work was unable to be
rescheduled before the end of the financial year. This work included kiwi acoustic
monitoring, snail plot monitoring and pig control, and volunteer deer hunter hours were
also likely reduced.
FOR continues to play an important role in the management of the RNRP. The FOR rat
and mustelid trap network in St Arnaud village and on the fringe of Nelson Lakes National
Park provides a buffer to the control, reducing the reinvasion of predators into the RNRP.
FOR has also secured funding to allow the translocation of 20 additional roroa into the
RNRP to reach the target of 40 unrelated birds for the founder population.
The Biodiversity team volunteer programme provides an additional boost to staffing
levels and ensures that all the fundamental work in the RNRP can be completed over the
summer months. The opportunity for the volunteers to be fully immersed in the DOC
systems provides them with new field skills and a greater understanding of conservation
practice. The experience also gives them contacts within DOC, which stands them in good
stead for future employment.
The RNRP strategic plan expired in 2019. Therefore, there is a need for discussion amongst
the biodiversity staff around the direction they would like to take with work in the RNRP.
This discussion will likely involve input from the Science and Technical teams and may
focus on new questions and goals. The future of work in the RNRP will also involve a much
greater consideration of environmental sustainability.
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6. Recommendations
• Continue with annual acoustic monitoring of roroa.
• Carry out kiwi monitoring further up Travers Valley.
• Translocate an additional 20 adult roroa into the population.
• Continue the mustelid trap box trial for another year without a beech mast.
• Research alternative cat control methods.
• Investigate the feasibility of trapping in the Travers Valley.
• Update the RNRP strategic plan.
7. Acknowledgements
The RNRP relies on support from volunteers, temporary staff and technical advisors.
We would like to thank our seasonal staff and volunteers for their significant contribution to the
RNRP.
We would also like to thank the Friends of Rotoiti for all their dedicated work in predator trapping,
wasp control and roroa and kākā monitoring.
Other staff at the Nelson Lakes office also assisted the project on many occasions, sharing logistics
and helping in the field.
Members of the Technical Advisory Group and external advisors provided advice at various times
during the year (see Appendix 2 for membership).
Finally, we would like to thank Phil and Fiona Borlase for access through their property
For more information there is a link to the full report on our “ Rotoiti Nature Recovery Project” page.