Kanuka flowering view from centre lookout. New water tanks in background.

Monitoring of seabird nests and wekapunga release sites, infill planting of maahoe (whiteywood) harakeke (flax) and tii ngahere (cabbage tree), nursery weeding and recovery of water tank piping were the tasks completed by the 13 people who water taxied to Motuora on a calm and cloudy early spring day.

Kowhai blossom Home Bay

Kowhai and Kanuka were in full flower and the bush was lush and green after a wet winter.

Water pipe recovery

As the new water tanks are in place the piping from the old water tanks was recovered with Kevin’s capable guidance. This involved locating the pipes in the Kikuyu, dragging them out and coiling it for transport to Home Bay.

Kevin ferrying the recovered pipes to Home Bay

I was disappointed to not see any Popokatea (Whiteheads) during my walk over the ridge track but I did see Magpies, Pukeko, Tui, Piwakawaka, noisy Spur Winged Plovers, California quail, and this pair of Tuturiwhatu (NZ Dotterel).

Tuturiwhatu (New Zealand Dotterel) south of Home Bay.

The new water tanks replace the broken plastic tank that stood beside the original concrete tanks. Here are two images of the old water tanks. One taken in 2004 and the other taken on this visit:

Old water tank 26/08/2018. Note the forest growth.

Original water tanks on Motuora photographed 5/09/2004

And compare these two views of the southern lookout point from the northern lookout:

Water tanks from centre lookout 26/09/04 70mm lens

View of southern lookout peak from centre lookout peak. 35mm lens

White dingy transport to water taxi.

MRS has arranged for the manufacture of ladders to facilitate disembarking and embarking to and from the water taxi at Home Bay. In the meantime we improvise using this little white dingy and Kevin’s skill and hardiness:

White dingy embarkation from Home Bay

Please renew your membership of the Motuora Restoration Society if you have not already done so.