Restoring Takarunga Hauraki

11/05/2026

Ka rawe!! Yesterday our community planted 397 plants during the annual Mother's Day planting! 🌱

📍Where?
In wetland soil at the bottom of the Francis Street bridge in Northboro Reserve, Hauraki

🤔 Why?
The plants will act as a filter to protect the estuary from pollutants, provide habitat for native wildlife (🐦, 🕷️, 🦎, 🦋), and build climate resilience, too!

We're excited to watch this planting grow! Ngā mihi nui to the awesome people involved in its creation 💚

----

RTH is all about connecting community to our environment, so check out rth.org.nz/events for family-friendly ways to get involved this winter!

🗓️ Upcoming Community Planting Days:

✨ Sat 6th June: Philomel Reserve, Bayswater
✨ Sun 21st June: Jutland Reserve, Hauraki
✨ Sat 4th July: Philomel Reserve, Bayswater
✨ Sat 18th July: Wairoa Rd, Narrow Neck

Haere mai e te whānau, all are welcome 🤝

03/05/2026

Sophia has jumped aboard Restoring Takarunga Hauraki! 🌊

With Sophia's background and dedication to protecting our awa & moana, she's a powerful asset to the community! 💙

➡️ Kia Ora! My name is Sophia, and I'm the new Coastal Marine and Stream Restoration Lead! I grew up in Whangārei, but moved to Tāmaki Makaurau to study at Waipapa Taumata Rau (The University of Auckland), majoring in marine ecology and marine science. I am now pursuing a postgraduate diploma in conservation. I absolutely love water and can’t wait to work with you to protect our waterways!

Nau mai haere mai Sophia 🤝

28/04/2026

We have hungry, hungry caterpillars at the nursery that need to be relocated! 🐛

The native kahukōwhai / yellow admiral butterfly have eaten all our stinging nettle & are on the lookout for new homes

If you have stinging nettle (one of the only plants in their diet) drop a comment or flick a message & we can share some beautiful butterflies with you! 🦋

Ngā mihi e hoa mā !

27/04/2026

Stoats have been detected across Narrow Neck, Stanley Bay & Ngataringa Reserve 🐾

❓What’s happening?
3 positive stoat ID's have been confirmed in our community. Volunteers are actively trapping, with one stoat found run over in Narrow Neck (pictured). Females can become pregnant just 2 weeks after being born, so one sighting can quickly become many.

🌊 From shore to sanctuary!
Our peninsula is the last buffer between the mainland and Rangitoto. Stoats are strong swimmers and can make the crossing, with the last one trapped on Rangitoto in 2021. From there, it’s a short hop to 47 predator-free islands in the Hauraki Gulf.

🚨 Why are stoats a problem?
Stoats have a home elsewhere in the world; our native and endemic species don't. If we aren't trapping for stoats, we are killing endangered species.

🦉 What’s at risk on the Devonport Peninsula?
Ruru, tūī, pīwakawaka, kererū, kākā, native skinks, geckos, and rare shorebirds are all vulnerable. Predators like stoats remain a major threat to our native species 💚

📩 Seen one?
Report any sightings to: [email protected] (include location, date & a photo if possible)

22/04/2026

Earth Day 2026 🌏

❗The climate crisis is ongoing, and community action matters more than ever. All across Aotearoa people are stepping up to protect and restore our native environment, and there is a place for everyone to get involved.

What is RTH doing?
🙌 Creating hands-on opportunities to care for the local environment
🔁 Events Sunday through Friday EVERY week
📍 In suburbs from Hauraki to Devonport (Takarunga-Hauraki)
🌿 Drop in and get involved in local planting and restoration activities

Everyone is always welcome to join in!

📸: Jenni Pallister. Photograph of a matuku moana for RTH & Depot "Nature in Place" Photo Exhibition 2025

13/04/2026