Events: Urban Ark – Manawa Taiao

Come to hear Phil Simpson talk about the Maungawhau Ecological Halo, a buffer zone around Mt Eden to protect and enhance the diversity of native plants and animals in the area.

The project supports residents, business owners and schools to control predators such as rats and possums, suppress invasive weeds and encourage ‘bird friendly’ native shrubs and trees to grow on their private properties.

The Maungawhau Ecological Halo encompasses critically endangered lava rock forest centred on Withiel Thomas reserve, as well as private residences nearby. This pūriri-dominant forest is one of the last few remnants of a unique ecosystem that was once common across Tāmaki Makaurau’s lava field, but is now limited to a few small surviving pockets in Epsom. You will learn about the history and ecology of the forest and hear about the work Phil is doing to raise awareness about the vulnerable status of this fragile habitat.

Attendees who live within the halo area and want to get involved will receive a free rat trap inside a wooden safety box (to keep kids and pets safe from harm) and free tuition on how to use the trap safely and effectively.

This event is part of Ecofest 2023

Venue: Epsom Community Library - 195 Manukau Road.

Groups: Maungawhau Ecological Halo, Urban Ark – Manawa Taiao

Join Auckland Zoo’s insect afficionado Ben Goodwin for an introductory talk about the diverse groups of crawling critters which are represented in Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Ben devotes his spare time to exploring Auckland’s less-visited corners looking for rarely-seen species and If you’ve heard him talk before, you’ll know that he can enthuse and amuse an audience about even the most obscure moth or moss. If you haven’t, come along to hear him highlight a scattering of species which exemplify our unique native fauna.

For a taste of what makes Ben tick, check out this Radio New Zealand interview about his work breeding over four thousand threatened giant wētāpunga and introducing them to islands in the Hauraki gulf.

Spaces are limited, so please book here for your Free ticket here.

Venue: Auckland Zoo, Grasslands Room - look for the Urban Ark flag to the left of the main zoo entrance.

Group: Urban Ark – Manawa Taiao

Join us for our April all-groups meeting. Yes, it is on ANZAC Day.

Rather than having a guest speaker we are going for a casual open discussion. If you’ve got successes to share or issues you’d like advice on, this is your opportunity.

We’ll also have a chance to get to know new people who are involved in the organising existing groups:

• Kaaren Hiyama – Predator Free Grey Lynn
• Lisa Busch – Predator Free Herne Bay Ponsonby
• Jesse Dyer – Pest Free Sandringham

When Tuesday 25 April 6.30–8.30pm

Where Gribblehirst Hub, 5 Cabbage Tree Swamp Drive, Sandringham

Who Group leadership. Please let us know if more than 3 are coming from your group.

Refreshments There will be snacks

Group: Urban Ark – Manawa Taiao

Back in December last year Urban Ark asked Boffa Miskell’s Mark Lewis if he would deliver a public presentation. We were after a landscape architect’s perspective on stream restoration, daylighting and flood mitigation. Little did we foresee the floods which were just around the corner!

Mark was the design lead for the Te Auaunga: Walmsley and Underwood Reserves project, which minimises flooding around 200 homes and established an 8 hectare riverside park along two kilometres of Oakley Creek in Mt Roskill. Seven tributaries were daylighted and shared pathways created along with an outdoor classroom and Te Māra Hūpara playground.

Mark will be speaking on the effect of this and other green infrastructure projects to both mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

There should be plenty of time for discussion after Mark’s presentation.

When Thursday 27 April 7.30pm to 9pm

Where Grasslands Room, Auckland Zoo, 99 Motions Rd. Look for the Urban Ark flag beside the main entrance

Bookings Numbers for this talk are limited to 100. Book here for your FREE ticket.

Groups: Urban Ark – Manawa Taiao, STEPS, Ngā Ringa o Te Auaunga Friends of Oakley Creek