Latest news with #Horizons'
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- General
- NZ Herald
Discovery of rare wood rose highlights predator control efforts in Horizons region
'Most populations of Dactylanthus in our region are found in and around the central plateau, so finding a population this far south is really exciting,' she said. 'It may seem like a small discovery but these little wins are really rewarding. It means the actions we're taking to help to give our native biodiversity a fighting chance are making a difference.' The property where the species was found is biodiverse and actively managed under Horizons' Priority Habitats Programme. The programme aims to restore and maintain a range of the Horizons region's indigenous ecosystems that remain on private land by managing and reporting on sites in the programme, and assessing new sites for the scheme. 'The site contains a rare fragment of critically endangered rimu, mataī and hīnau forest,' Stone said. 'Only 3% of this ecosystem remains in the region. As part of the Priority Habitat Programme, Horizons works with the landowners to help protect this rare forest fragment. 'On this property, we have active old man's beard control and possum control programmes under way, which support forest regeneration and improve protection of native birds, reptiles and invertebrates.' Stone said the landowners were excited to have wood rose found on their property and were actively working with Horizons to help protect the plant. One of the reasons wood rose is an at-risk species is because of declining populations of pekapeka (short-tailed bat), which are the primary pollinator for the plant. The pekapeka (short-tailed bat) is the key pollinator of dactylanthus (wood rose). Photo / David Mudge 'The relationship between the two species is vital for its survival,' Stone said. 'Our biodiversity protection work through our Priority Habitats Programme helps to address some of these issues but, without intervention, these plants would likely not survive. 'We're now planning to monitor for pekapeka on the property to see if they are present. If there is no active population, we may need to give the plant some help with hand pollination.' Another threat to the plant is possums. 'Possums are attracted to the sweet-smelling blooms when Dactylanthus is in flower, causing damage to the plant and interrupting its ability to set seed. As a result, many populations are slowly declining,' Stone said. One of the best ways to protect wood rose from possums was by placing cages around the plants, she said. 'The cages stop the possums from being able to access the plants, while still allowing pollinators access. It's important for the future of the species to protect this process. 'Finding so many live specimens of Dactylanthus is possible evidence that the possum control measures in place are working to reduce possum populations in the area.' Additional funding to expand Horizons' possum control operations had been earmarked for the 2025-26 Annual Plan, Horizons biodiversity, biosecurity and partnerships manager Craig Davey said. 'To keep up the gains, it's key to continue funding and expanding the network so we don't lose this momentum,' he said. 'This significant investment will enable us to expand our current network of 210,000 bait stations and expand into at least four new areas of the region that were previously controlled by Ospri.' Ospri is a not-for-profit company working in partnership with primary industries and the Government.
NZ Herald
30-07-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Horizons regional councillor David Cotton signing off after four terms
'That's what I'm quite proud of, really knowing our numbers, whether that was with sustainable land use or public transport.' Cotton opposed an additional $400,000 for Whanganui's public transport in 2025/26, saying last November that while the city's high-frequency bus service Te Ngaru The Tide had been a success, it was still running below capacity. Councillors voted 10-4 to keep the funding in Horizons' budget, with the annual plan signed off on June 24. Cotton said he had been out of step with other councillors this term on rates rises. In Whanganui, the average rates rise from the regional council was 12.8% for 2025/26. 'Thirty per cent of that was because we put a new bus system in,' Cotton said. 'I'd say that was a nice to have. Central Government would not fund 50% like they normally do.' Cotton said it was time to consider whether regional councils were needed or if there should be a unitary authority. 'Particularly here in Whanganui, with the ownership structure around the Whanganui River,' he said. 'With the changes in the RMA [Resource Management Act], and the amount of work regional councils won't be required to do, I think it's the opportune time to have that conversation. 'Personally, I'd like to see it go to referendum in the election of 2028.' Whanganui district councillors Jenny Duncan and Charlie Anderson, Whanganui Deputy Mayor Helen Craig, and Horizons chair Rachel Keedwell are also standing down at the end of the term. Cotton said anyone thinking of running for council needed to know standing orders and how meetings and systems worked. 'It's very different than a private business,' he said. 'You can come up with a great idea but find you don't have the funding in place because you haven't had it added to an annual or long-term plan.' He had thoroughly enjoyed working alongside fellow Whanganui-based councillor Alan Taylor, Cotton said. The pair disagreed on a few issues, including additional public transport funding, but that 'represented the view of the community'. 'Then, the members of council made a decision. That's good process. 'Tongue in cheek, I have to say I lost more than I won.' Cotton said being a councillor meant he was able to go to places he never would have otherwise. 'And I've met people from all walks of life. 'Being a councillor can be hugely satisfying and hugely frustrating, but it's really been a great journey.' Nominations for the 2025 local government elections close at noon on Friday, August 1. Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily the Whanganui District Council.
NZ Herald
22-07-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Whanganui West Catchment Group to reveal results from three years of water testing
'On the other hand, E. coli bacteria continue to cause concern, and the group is refining its surveying to try to find better ways to reduce that persistent problem,' it said. 'The work is separate from Horizons' [Regional Council] monitoring, which gives rise to warnings in summer to bathers at Kai Iwi and Ototoka.' Earlier this year, swimming at Kai Iwi was off-limits for several days, after detection of high levels of enterococci bacteria. Whanganui Region Catchment Collective (WRCC) co-ordinator Natasha de Rose said volunteers undertook the sampling at 82 sites. The WRCC is the umbrella organisation for the West Whanganui group. 'We always need more buy-in, but there are certainly some farmers who are pulling their weight and doing a lot of stuff on their properties,' de Rose said. 'I think farmers got sick of the narrative that they were causing E. coli in swim spots, and that's been a big driver for them behind the scenes.' The Mowhanau Stream is one of five in the Whanganui West catchment. Photo / NZME Russell said the group was 'a very small cog in the big picture'. 'It all feeds into what New Zealand Inc is getting for produce overseas,' he said. 'More and more of our red meat customers, the likes of [United Kingdom supermarket] Sainsbury's, are starting to ask about the environment from which their meat is being supplied and whether it's being looked after.' He said, historically, there had been minimal water testing in the area. 'This report is forming the basis of what our next actions will be. 'It is a long-term thing we're looking at. We have to hold our position in terms of water quality, and try and improve it.' De Rose said funding for the group's work came from the Ministries for Primary Industries and Environment via the WRCC, with additional funding for sampling and reporting from Wai Connection. 'There are a few catchment groups up and running now, like Okoia and a little one in the back of Brunswick down to Papaiti. 'They are up country as well, through to Taumarunui and beyond. 'We are all trying to do the same things, but working together makes it a bit easier.' Russell said in the 1970s and 1980s, the focus in the Whanganui West area was to clear land and grow grass. 'The focus for this generation is actually looking after the environment, waterways and biodiversity. 'We'd like to see more farmers getting involved, and we'd like more members. The more the merrier.' The report will be presented at the Mowhanau Beach Community Hall on July 24 at 7pm. Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily the Whanganui District Council.
NZ Herald
19-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
Whanganui submitters support greater investment in public transport
'That would mean almost 60% of our population would be within a 400m walk of a 20-minute-frequency route,' he said. 'Crucially, we don't have to wait long for this. 'We are planning to implement this network in the next financial year [2025/26].' Whanganui currently has one high-frequency route; Te Ngaru The Tide. Earlier this year, Tonnon said the high-frequency network would cost the average-rated household in Whanganui $95 a year. At present, they pay about $55 a year for public transport. Last November, Horizons councillors voted to keep $400,000 in its draft 2025/26 budget for Whanganui public transport despite no matched funding from NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi. A final vote is required before Horizons' annual plan is officially adopted in June. Previously, Whanganui-based Horizons councillors Alan Taylor (for) and David Cotton (against) have been split on the increased investment. Tonnon told district councillors the new network would benefit their council by reducing long-term roading costs. The new network would mean 'removing more bus stops than we're putting in', he said. 'However, we will need to install around 25 bus stops in the next year. 'In theory, we [the district council] have $50,000 in the general pool for bus infrastructure and $15,000 for cleaning. Advertisement Advertise with NZME. 'I would suspect that, to do this work and to recognise the value it has to our city, we will need to double that in the next year.' The $50,000 allocation had been diverted to roading projects in recent years, Tonnon said. 'That's maybe understandable when we had a network which wasn't really designed to get a lot of people on the bus. 'That is changing, and we are a long way from best practice.' Speaking to the Chronicle, Tonnon said there were 15 buses in use in Whanganui and the high-frequency network would use the same number or slightly less. 'We are going to be getting more out of them,' he said. 'Nothing is over the line yet, but signs are positive.' The district council's annual plan will be signed off in June following deliberations on May 28 and 29. Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily the Whanganui District Council.
NZ Herald
21-04-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Horizons funding establishes pest animal trap library for Rangitīkei landowners
'Horizons' pest management efforts are extensive, it is a larger region. 'We can't be everywhere so partnering with groups such as the RRCC is key to helping keep predator numbers low. 'Through working together we can achieve far more than we could alone and our native species and habitats have a chance to thrive again.' The funds enabled the purchase of 51 DOC200 traps, six AT220 self-resetting traps, 15 F-Bomb traps and 17 Timms traps plus lures and associated equipment. There will be a particular focus on catching the likes of mustelids, feral cats, rats, hedgehogs, and possums, which all pose a threats to the native bush habitats and species. Mackintosh said introduced animal pests were excellent breeders and could travel significant distances. One stoat or cat can decimate a local population of birds as they will raid nests on the ground and in tree hollows and attack adult birds including whio (blue duck) and backyard chickens. 'We are proud to work alongside the RRCC to support their pest control efforts and we look forward to a long-term relationship that focuses on protecting our native species,' Mackintosh said. The first traps are already in action on a farm in Turakina, home to abundant native species thriving around wetlands. Data from the trapping efforts will be collected and shared on Trap NZ, building valuable insights on conservation efforts. RRCC hoped the traps would reduce the rising impact of pests on native flora, fauna, and ecosystems within the river catchment areas – protecting features such as indigenous bush remnants, whio (blue duck), and wetlands.
