Port of Tauranga

Port of Tauranga steps up its Dotterel assistance

Posted on 19th September 2005

The Port of Tauranga’s long-term involvement with the New Zealand dotterel recovery plan is stepping up another notch this spring with the donation of a new 4x4 vehicle for the conservation team.

The Port’s involvement with helping the endangered birds dates from 1989 when the construction of Sulphur Pt began to impact on the dotterel’s nesting habits. In 1992, an official dotterel recovery plan was put into place, a programme that’s getting results with the dotterel breeding population now growing.

The Port’s sponsorship of the dotterel programme at Matakana Island helps with protection, predator control and research. The new vehicle will aid the Department of Conservation in monitoring and protecting the dotterel during the breeding season.

Since 1992, the number of breeding pairs has steadily increased from 15 to 43. The number of hatched chicks has also risen from 12 in 1992/93 to 35 this year.

“The Port has been involved with the dotterels for many years, since they’ve always nested on our land,” says the Port’s property manager, Tony Reynish.

“Because the bird is endangered it’s an important part of our environmental sponsorship, and it’s significant to the local community. We’re just doing our little bit to assist.”

The Port’s other environmental activities include the ambitious project, "Crimson Corridor", which aims to link the nearby Kaimai Range with Te Urewera National Park by the planting of a "biological corridor" of native trees.

It also funds two University of Waikato research programmes that examine the effect of the Port's activity on sand movement and sea life in Tauranga harbour and surrounding waters.

For further information:

Tony Reynish
Property Manager
Telephone: 07 572 8899