Mark Lewis from DOC carried out today his first aerial goat shooting operation on Moemotu Station. The owners have agreed to remove the goat population for the benefit of NZ indigenous fauna and flora. A muster was undertaken on the same property last week and removed 350 goats. Well done for this very successful first goat control operation.

The habitat restoration programme is now well underway.

• Taharoa :  5 ha of bush are fenced off with the last battens nailed today.
•  Homestead/Grandy Lake : The fencer will be starting next week and the cows that you can see in the photos bellow won’t be accessing the stream anymore. By fencing off the stream, the WCMG committed to offer several alternative water supply options to the farm. This was done by extending the already existing reticulated water supply system, installing 5 troughs and a new water tank. A small farm dam was also dug and will be used as a back up if necessary. The area was sprayed a few weeks ago and is now getting ready for this winter’s planting. Weather permitting, the new fence will be finished by mid May.

At completion of this project, the group will have met a major milestone (7 km of stream fenced off on both side). This ambitious project is the fruit of an intense collaboration between all stakeholders and sponsors.  Well done to you all.

A big thank you to Steeve Campbell from Wairoa Fencing who is moving to the South Island. We wish him all the best in his new life. His workmanship and reliability will be missed by all. Good luck Steeve.