Kia Ora!
Eastern Whio Link is a hunter and fishermen, tangata whenua/community led conservation project, situated in the upper reaches of the Waioeka Gorge (between Opotiki and Gisborne) with a goal to protect the whio (blue duck).
Whio is a true taonga (treasured) species of New Zealand. They are our only endemic mountain duck and one of three true riverine duck species worldwide, making them rarer than some species of kiwi.
Eastern Whio Link was established to protect the remaining population of this nationally vulnerable species. By aiding in their recovery, we are helping enable a breeding population to establish in the area and disperse into surrounding watersheds.
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Whio Chicks Fledged
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Traps
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Volunteer Hours
Why we do what we do
Over the past 40 years, whio numbers have been steadily decreasing in the Waioeka Gorge area due to two reasons: River flooding destroying their nests and stoat predation during two crucial life stages (nesting season and the moult, when they are unable to fly).
As passionate hunters and fishermen who frequent the gorge, we observed this population collapsing over a number of years. While we have no control over flooding events, we knew we could do something to control the predators before it was too late. In 2019, a small group of us approached DOC Gisborne for a community agreement to trap the Waioeka area for pests that predate on the whio and their eggs (including stoats and rats).
It has been proven in other areas that by establishing a single line of traps up a river we are able to control stoats to a level that allows whio survivorship and chicks to be recruited into the breeding population. This is a methodology that our project leads have experience with and can ensure success in controlling stoat numbers.
By significantly reducing pest populations throughout the gorge, we are not just helping the whio, but also improving the habitat and reducing the predatory threat for other native bird species (such as North Island brown kiwi).
Ways you can support Eastern Whio Link:
Our conservation work to date
When we began our work in Waioeka Gorge, there was a remnant population of just four pairs, which we could use as seed stock to grow from. In mid-2020, Eastern Whio Link established more than 30kms of trap line – enough river to home 30 breeding pairs of whio.
The project was given 250 traps from an anonymous donor whose own project had not gone ahead and received an additional 50 donated by one of our project leads. Volunteers and a small amount of sponsorship allowed us to bait and lure these traps.
Incredibly, we were able to achieve breeding success in our first year, which is typically quite rare. All four pairs successfully hatched chicks – a first on the river for many years – and from these pairs we have seen 20 whio chicks fledge (more than tripling the current whio population).
While we need to wait two years until these juveniles enter the breeding population, ongoing predator control will ensure they make it through.
With images posted online via our social media channels and in print via articles in NZ OUTDOOR magazine, volunteer and sponsorship support for the project grew. We now have more than 70 active volunteers, including hunters and fishermen, as well as students who have come on board through our education programme.
In terms of sponsorship to date, this has largely come in the form of service and product donations, which we and our volunteers are very grateful for.
Where we want to go next
Juvenile protection
Given it is in the nature of juvenile whio to disperse, we are looking to expand our trapping network to include the remaining 25km of whio habitat available. This will protect our juvenile population and allow them to establish breeding territories of their own.
Education
On Eastern Whio Link we think the bush is for everyone. Each year we host many schools, from kindergartens through to high schools. We also run wahine focused weekends, wananga at Matewai Marae, collaborate on a range of ecological research projects with universities and organizations.
Kiwi support
While working on the whio project we have discovered the presence of North Island brown kiwi, a species we had assumed disappeared long ago.
We have expanded Eastern Whio Link to also protect local kiwi by trapping stoats, cats and ferrets over 5000ha core area. In addition EWL runs kiwi aversion training annually for hunters, farmers, and other adventurers in the east coast region.
Waioeka
Raukumara Forest Park
Friends of Eastern Whio Link
Major Sponsor
Supported by
Organisational support and partnerships
Organisations:
- Matawai Marae
- Tairawhiti Environment Center
- New Zealand Landcare Trust
- Department of Conservation
- Gisborne District Council
- Whitiora Tairawhiti
- Trust Tairawhiti
- Blood Origins
- The Environmental Protection Authority
- Predatorfree NZ Trust
- Climate Action Company
- Whio Forever
- Wai Connections
Education
- Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
- Huringa Pai
- Waikirikiri School
- Mangatuna School
- Matawai School
- Gisborne Boys High School
News & Media
EWL Merch! Help us keep fighting the good fight!
Protecting our native species takes a lot of time and effort, as well as money. We’re a volunteer lead, non-profit organization that means we really on proceeds from donations, sponsorship and merchandise sales to continue our commitment to protect our slice of paradise from predators.
How you can help
While our existing sponsorship partnerships offer us great assistance out in the field, we require additional funding and sponsorship to maintain the project.
It is estimated that only 2000 to 3000 whio remain in New Zealand today. If the causes of whio decline are not addressed, this species could become extinct in our lifetimes.
Conservation of our iconic native species is an ongoing battle that does not come cheap. It requires both funding and effort to be consistent over many years, and ensure future generations have the opportunity to experience and engage with our truly unique native wildlife in their natural habitat.
Eastern Whio Link is appealing to any organisations that would like to become involved in the recovery and preservation of this true taonga of New Zealand.
This is an opportunity for communities and businesses to work together in the name of conservation and ensure we all have the chance to enjoy our great outdoors, as well as enhance our precious flora and fauna.
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Let's Talk
If you have any questions, or would like to find out more about getting involved get in touch using the form below.
EWL Trustees
Sam Rowland
Co Chair
Having over 15 years experience in community conservation projects, governance experience across a number of boards and being one of the leading practitioners in the interface between nature and business means Sam supports the trust to have all our ducks in a row (excuse the pun). She keeps the project running smoothly and as Co-Chair she harnesses our teams energy and brings them together to build the big picture strategies, vision and processes needed to keep the project on track.
A keen adventurer and self proclaimed biodiversity nerd, on any given weekend you will find Sam in the streams, forests and ecosystems of the Waioeka getting excited about all the incredible creatures that live in the project.
Feel free to contact Sam for volunteer opportunities, sponsorship/business relationships or media opportunities.
sam.rowland@gmail.com
Sam The Trap Man
Co Chair
Having grown up hunting and fishing the Waioeka and returning home in his 20’s to see that the Whio population had almost disappeared Sam had the idea of starting a project with his hunting and fishing mates to bring these birds back to a state of abundance.
With over 20 years experience in large landscape trapping projects from Te Urewera to Fiordland Sam brings a wealth of technical conservation knowledge to the operation.
Being a keen hunter, fisher, photographer, father, mahinga kai practitioner and author you can find Sam ambling up the rivers and tracks of the Waioeka, kids in tow, trapping stoats and putting kai on the table for his whanau and the community.
Feel free to contact Sam for Whio sightings, sponsorship/business relationships or media opportunities.
samthetrapman@gmail.com
Tom Sherborne
Treasurer
A keen hunter and fisher Tom has a love for the backcountry nooks and crannies of the Eastern Whio Link project. He embodies what a hunter led conservation project is all about- achieving conservation outcomes by having great adventures and checking a few traps along the way. Being an ex-bank manager and having an unshakable positive attitude Tom is a natural fit to head up the financial aspect of Eastern Whio Link.
At every given opportunity you will find Tom in some far flung corner of Eastern Whio Link “just going for a look” and you can bet your bottom dollar he will come back with a bunch of Whio sightings and a pack load of venison.
Joanna Barbarich
An innovative educator with a talent at bringing our histories and matauranga to life Jo is not only a trustee on Eastern Whio Link but also Chair of Matawai Marae with links to Te Whanau A Apanui, Ngati Te Rangi, Ngati Tamatera, Ngati Hako and Ngai Tai ki Tamaki. Having a passion for the Matawai and Waioeka area Jo is a master of helping projects thrive. Often leading Eastern Whio Link wananga Jo ensures all volunteers young and old walk away from the project smiling and having had a meaningful experience on the project.
Jo is incredibly passionate about Kapahaka, Te Reo Maori and bringing the Waioeka to life through education.
Geoff Mclaughlan
Geoff has been involved in the project since day dot and having done a stint operations manager on the project. A skilled bushman, trapper and hunter Geoff is the Eastern Whio Links Mr fix it. A master in doing the hard yards and reading ecosystems. Geoff makes things happen and brings an element of sound, pragmatic decision making and ensures Eastern Whio Link work gets rolled out to a high standard and in a way that ensures success.
Chances are if you have spent time in the Waioeka you will have bumped into Geoff always hunting or fishing with a trap tool in hand.
Joel Crump
Joel’s a keen hunter, outdoorsman, and the guy behind the Eastern Whio Link marketing and website. By day he’s a marketing manager, by night he’s tweaking websites and chasing the right words to get the Eastern Whio Link message across in a way that reflects the projects values.
With a young family and a love for the hills, working on a project that mixes his profession, conservation and hunting is right up his alley. Although a rare sighting, you may just see him in the wild one day.
EWL Staff
Shannon Henare
Operations Manager
Shannon is a master at managing people, with a sound knowledge in Tangata Whenua Led conservation projects and an education background Shannon lives and breathes the Eastern Whio Link project. Believing strongly in a wholistic approach to conservation founded in matauranga Maori.
