Forest Restoration Five Year Plan (2005-2010)

Goal

To facilitate significant progress towards the restoration of Makara Peak to a healthy native forest.

Aims

Reduce and maintain possum numbers to a residual trap catch rate of less than 5%

Control the goat population to less than five goats in total in the park and maintain a 200m wide goat-free buffer zone around the park

Re-establish missing/threatened native canopy trees - rimu, rata, titoki, white maire, kohekohe, hinau, tawa, kahikatea, miro, pukatea, matai and totara

Encourage kereru (wood pigeon) and other native birds into the park to help distribute seeds by planting - tree fuschia, pigeonwood, cabbage tree, tree lucerne, ngaio, lemonwood, flax, kapuka and kowhai

Remove pest plants and plant out the riparian zone alongside Karori Stream within the park

Plant out high fire-risk areas with fire-resistant native species (eg: flax and ngaio)

Control the spread of key weed species such as old mans beard, wandering willy, African club moss, buddleia, German ivy, Japanese honeysuckle, pampas and pine trees.

Reduce mustelid numbers in areas with high tui or bellbirds nesting

Eliminate feral stock and pigs from the park

Gain a better understanding of the restoration process on Makara Peak

Improve the legal protection of land in the park

Note: The Makara Peak Supporters have a philosophy of planting one tree for every metre of track through regenerating native bush.

Key Strategies and Actions

Supporters fill possum bait stations throughout the park in February, July, August, September and December.

Support neighbours efforts to control possums and goats on their land.

Encourage the hunting of goats in the Park by WCC contractors. Supporters offer a bounty for goat control on neighbouring land in buffer zone.

Plant 1000-1500 native trees in the park each winter (see planting list) with increased emphasis on missing species. .

Release seedlings in November/December.

Have WCC engage a weed control contractor to eliminate old mans beard and control other key weed species. Small control measures to be undertaken by Supporters.

Maintain mustelid trap lines in forested areas providing habitat for native birds.

Have WCC engage as required hunters to eliminate pigs and feral stock from the park.

Monitor and record the results of pest control and planting efforts. (WRC to monitor possum numbers every 2 to 3 years)

Work with the WCC to secure legal protection (with Reserve status) for all land in the Park.

Work with Greater Wellington to establish a Stream Care group for South Karori Stream.

Ensure WCC keeps fencelines intact and cleared for fire mitigation.

Establish green break areas clear of gorse 10-20m from roads on NW boundary.