Hauraki Gulf Islands: Living Sea and Landscapes


   EcoQuest students embarked on a five-day trip to Ponui Island during the Fall 1999 semester. Their efforts will assist the landowners to find the right balance between sustainable agriculture and conservation/public recreation have become regulars on Ponui Island, where we are graciously hosted by the Chamberlin family.  Students helped with a small scale native tree planting which will enhance the habitat on the island sanctuary. Ponui Island is probably the only place in the Auckland area where North Island Brown Kiwi still thrive without intensive predator control. Kiwi surveys are much needed to help assess the health of the population. EcoQuest students are assisting in this effort. Students from three summer programmes (2000, 2001, & 2003) have carried out kiwi call surveys on the islands. Students often learn about kiwi call surveys and the ecology of kiwi. We explore in-depth the role that private landowners can play in maintaining biodiversity, the provisions for supporting landowners to do this successfully, and the resource management issues that may help or hinder in this process. Research on several aspects of ecology of kiwi is carried out by Massey University students, under supervision of Dr. Isabel Castro, one of the EcoQuest research associates.
     

       


EcoQuest students embarked on a five-day trip to Ponui Island during the Fall 1999 semester. Their efforts will assist the landowners to find the right balance between sustainable agriculture and conservation/public recreation. Students helped with a small scale native tree planting which will enhance the habitat on the island sanctuary.

     

Ponui Island is probably the only place in the Auckland area where North Island Brown Kiwi still thrive without intensive predator control. Kiwi surveys are much needed to help assess the health of the population. EcoQuest students are assisting in this effort. Students from three summer programmes (2000, 2001, & 2003) have carried out kiwi call surveys on the islands.


     
Students on Tiritiri Matangi Island.
     Above: Dr. Castro conducts class on Ponui Island.