Weed control across the Okura management units in March–April 2026 totalled 121.5 hours, continuing the 2025 programme with full surveys and targeted treatment of priority species. All primary weeds were controlled in the Chenier units, with additional work on pampas, smilax, moth plant, tree lupin, woolly nightshade, and privet. Sandspit and Southern Esplanade received focused interventions, including pampas avoidance near…
Author: John Potter
Weeding Report January 2026 by Island Solutions
Between November and December 2025, Island Solutions completed ~180 hours of weed control across six Okura management units. The cheniers received full surveys, with all primary weeds—climbing asparagus, smilax, honeysuckle, periwinkle—controlled. Other units were strategically sampled, revealing new weed incursions linked to nearby gardens, forestry disturbance, and private land. Key issues include steep‑slope access, reinvasion pressure, and misidentification risks (stinking…
NZ Garden Bird Survey 2025 starts 28 June
Dates: Saturday 28th June – Sunday 6th July 2025 Choose an hour on one day during the survey period and find the perfect bird counting spot. Use our tally sheet to count the number of birds you see or hear. Website: gardenbirdsurvey.nz
Stillwater Planting Day – Sunday 3rd August
Okura Walkway, Stillwater. Join the Friends of Okura Bush and your local community at our annual planting day at the beautiful Okura Walkway in Stillwater. This is a fantastic opportunity to participate and learn more about the value of environmental restoration.
Okura Planting Day – Sunday 10th August
Deborah Reserve, Okura. Join the Friends of Okura Bush and your local community at our annual planting day at the beautiful Deborah Reserve. This is a fantastic opportunity to participate and learn more about the value of environmental restoration.
2025 FOOB AGM – Sunday 17 August
3.00pm at the Okura Hall, 81 Okura River Road, Okura. Download FoOB 2025 Annual report – final [3.19 MB PDF] Guest Speaker: Ben Paris – the Bat Guru. Pekapeka, the only native land mammals in Aotearoa New Zealand, are largely unknown due to their small size, rarity, nocturnal habits, and elusive nature. However, awareness and interest in these unique bats…
Dacre Book Launch Saturday 19th July
Dacre Cottage and the Weiti Block: their history and preservation – by Felicity Goodyear-Smith. 2.00pm at MERC, 1045 Beach Road, Long Bay. If possible, please RSVP to info@veritypress.com for catering purposes. $39 (makes a great gift). Available online at Canoeandkayak.
Fundraising appeal to publish history of Dacre Cottage & the Weiti Block
The history of Dacre Cottage, the 2nd oldest building in Auckland, the people, and the place. A fully-illustrated book telling the story of the Cottage, the Dacre family, and the natural history of this stunning coastal strip between the Whangaparaoa Peninsula and the Long Bay Regional Park has been written by Felicity Goodyear-Smith. Dating from 1855, Dacre Cottage is the…
Ngā Kōrero: Public discussion on the incoming Weed Tsunami – Sunday 20th August 2023 4pm
When: 4 pm Sunday 20 August 2023 (AGM from 3 pm) Where: Okura Hall, 81 Okura River Road, Okura Guest speaker: Geoff Reid, environmental change agent, restoration consultant Topic Facing the Tsunami – Environmental Weeds Our Biggest Threat Come and hear about our biggest threat and the solutions. Geoff is well known as a force for environmental change, with a focus on…
Auckland Council tells conservation group to stop live-trapping cats
Jo and Bernard were interviewed by TV3 recently about the problem with cats predating endangered birds at Karepiro Bay. Newshub: Auckland Council tells conservation group to stop live-trapping cats
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