Kaikōura’s endangered seabirds struggle for food
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
‘‘Sardine smoothies’’ have been on the menu for Kaikōura’s endangered Hutton’s shearwater birds (tītī) this season.
A lack of food has seen volunteers supplement feeding chicks at Te Rae o Atiu colony on Kaikōura Peninsula to give them the best chance at survival.
Hutton’s Shearwater Charitable Trust chairperson Ted Howard said this season has been the most successful for breeding in the peninsula colony, with 27 chicks hatching.
But global warming is taking its toll, with rising ocean temperatures forcing krill, the birds’ staple diet, to go deeper for cooler temperatures, Howard said.
The ongoing concerns for Kaikōura’s seabirds come amid calls for Environment Canterbury review the Canterbury Regional Coastal Environment Plan, which was adopted in 2005.
Howard said there was a two week period this season where the adult tītī were unable to bring back enough food to feed their chicks.
‘‘They can lose 15 grams a day, so if they don’t get food for six days they can lose up to half their body weight.’’
The birds are weighed every three to four days and if they lose a quarter of their body weight, they are supplement fed.
He described the ‘‘sardine smoothies’’ as having ‘‘a rather distinctive odour’’.
The chicks are meant to put on weight up to 600 grams before attempting to fly and heading out to sea during March and April.
Howard said typically about 40% of the chicks returned to the colony after three or four years for breeding.
Global warming is just one of threats to the endangered Kaikōura tītī, which was once an important source of mahinga kai for Ngāti Kurī.
Threats include birds crash landing due to street lighting, getting caught in nets, plastic pollution and predators such as cats, dogs, stoats and wild pigs.
It is thought there were 10 wild colonies in 1900 and eight in 1965, but now there are just two in the Seaward Kaikōura Ranges.
Last season just two chicks survived in the Kowhai colony due to the wet conditions, but Howard hoped for more success after half of the eggs hatched this season.
Te Rae o Atiu colony is a partnership between Tukete Charitable Trust, which owns the land, local rūnanga, the Hutton’s Shearwater Charitable Trust and the Department of Conservation.
It was established nearly 20 years ago by translocating chicks from the wild.
Howard’s wife, Ailsa McGilvary-Howard, has been monitoring banded dotterel nests at Kaikōura for more than a decade.
The dotterel are territorial and their nests more isolated, compared to the shearwaters which are ‘‘colonial nesters’’.
This leaves them more prone to cats, rats and hedgehogs.
‘‘Our trapping is working, but we need to get cats under control,’’ Howard said.
This season 130 eggs have been counted from 46 dotterel nests, but survival rates are extremely low.
Environment Canterbury councillors last month supported a motion by councillor Genevieve Robinson asking staff to report back on what would be involved in reviewing the coastal plan.
Environmental groups have expressed concerns about the plight of seabirds, Hector’s and Māui dolphins, fur seals and corals.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
The perfect treat this Mother's Day
This Mother's Day treat yourself or a loved one with the ultimate Sunday self-care gift.
Purchase a discounted subscription to Sunday Star-Times before 12 May, and receive a FREE Antipodes Maya Hyaluronic 72-Hour Hydration Serum worth $56*. Find out more below.
Gifting a subscription? Add a personalised e-card to your order to make your gift even more special. Offer ends next week so don’t miss out! T&Cs apply, promo code must be applied.
Kaikōura council makes key appointment, recruitment challenges remain
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Key appointments have been made at Kaikōura's council, but there are still gaps to fill as it struggles to find staff.
Staff recruitment has been a headache for the Kaikōura District Council in recent years, but chief executive Will Doughty says he has finally appointed a new building control manager.
The council has had vacancies in its building department for more than two years.
‘‘We are consistently chasing our tail looking to get some replacements and we have had good support from contractors and other councils in the building space.
‘‘But it is good to get a full-time role based here.’’
Doughty said other Canterbury councils have been providing support with building inspections and consenting over the last two years, particularly the Hurunui District Council.
Glen Vaughan will be moving from the Central Otago District Council to be the new building control manager in Kaikōura, starting on July 1.
A new building administrator and a new emergency management officer have also been appointed.
But the position of building control officer remains vacant after more than two years, while there is also a vacancy for a part-time customer services officer.
Despite the lack of permanent building staff based in Kaikōura, the council has received a favourable accreditation assessment from International Accreditation New Zealand (IANZ).
‘‘It is a credit to the team that we have no significant non-compliances and seven general non-compliances,’’ Doughty said.
‘‘This is an outstanding result.’’
Should the council address the general non-compliance issues by July it will be classified as a ‘‘low risk’’ building control authority, with the next assessment due in 2026.
■ LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poll: Would you want an unconventional funeral?
Funerals can cost as much as $22,000 and the planning can be stressful especially at a time when loved ones are grieving. Some New Zealanders are re-imagining funerals by making their own coffin or having a relaxed ceremony at home. Would you want a less traditional funeral? Share your thoughts below.
Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.
-
83.7% Yes
-
14.1% No
-
2.2% Other - I'll share below!
Loading…
