Friends of the Park Pūhoi

30/09/2026

Kākā they’re back! 🦜💚

The kākā have been spotted in Puhoi park again today – the second time I have heard them this week, and it’s pretty exciting to see them and hear them making use of the area.

But before we pat ourselves on the back too much, there is an important distinction.

Kākā are highly vulnerable to introduced predators, particularly when nesting. They are cavity nesters, using hollows in mature trees, and when a female is incubating or caring for chicks she, her eggs and chicks are particularly vulnerable to predators such as rats, stoats and possums.

So seeing kākā here – even repeatedly – tells us they are using the area. It doesn't mean they are staying to breed.

Locally, kākā are thriving in places where predator control is intensive, such as Tāwharanui Regional Park, and on predator-free or predator-controlled offshore islands. They can also breed on the mainland where predator control is sufficient.

So, welcome back, kākā! 🌿

The really exciting milestone will be when they aren't just visiting, but are staying, nesting, raising chicks and becoming part of the local ecosystem again.

That's what we're working towards – sustained predator control, healthy habitat and a connected community creating the conditions for that to happen.

You will hear them before you see them!

Auckland Parks Auckland Biodiversity

13/09/2026

Our little team turned out to lend a hand and help get these trees in the ground 🌱
Planting today for future habitat, healthier spaces for nature, and places for people to enjoy for years to come.
Well done to everyone who came together to make it happen — a great example of what we can achieve when we work together. 💚

04/09/2026

🐀 874+ pests removed from Puhoi Park in just one year! 🌿

Think about what that means!

These are pests removed from the playgrounds where your children and grandchildren play, the sports fields where your families gather, the bush tracks you walk, and the rivers and waterways our kids swim in.

Since accurate records began in August 2025, our predator-control efforts in Puhoi Park have recorded:

🐀 148 rats
🦝 129 possums
🦦 11 mustelids
🦔 9 hedgehogs
🐾 77 other pests

That's 374 pests recorded and removed through trapping, across 96 traps.

And the numbers give us a glimpse of just how significant the problem was. During the first year, catching eight possums a week was not uncommon.

Alongside trapping, approximately 8 kg of toxin bait has been used — giving us an estimated additional 500 rodents removed through toxin control.

👉 That's an estimated 874+ pests removed from Puhoi Park in one year.

Every pest removed helps protect the native birds, trees, insects and wider ecosystem of Puhoi Park — while helping keep this much-loved community space healthier for the people, and native species who use it.

Behind every number is mahi: traps checked, bait stations serviced, catches recorded and volunteers putting in the work.

Our park. Our playgrounds. Our sports fields. Our bush. Our waterways. Our wildlife.

🌿 This is community conservation in action — right here in Puhoi. Set your traps, refresh your bait, we are only as good as those around us, together we make the difference.

Auckland Parks

30/08/2026

A massive shout-out to the Friends of the Park Puhoi trapping crew 🪤

Volunteering is about giving your time, energy and skills to something bigger than yourself—and this crew truly embodies that spirit.

Thank you to everyone who puts in the hard yards checking lines, clearing pests and protecting our native wildlife. The thriving canopy and abundance of birdlife are a testament to what dedicated volunteers can achieve.

You’re a small group, but you make a massive difference. You keep turning up, putting in the mahi and getting the job done, often in some of the most unfavourable weather conditions.

Rain, wind, mud or shine—you’re out there doing it for the park, the wildlife and the future of our native bush.

Volunteers are the quiet heroes of conservation, and Friends of the Park Puhoi are a brilliant example of that.

Thank you for everything you do. Your time, commitment and passion really do make a difference.

31/07/2026

For those who don’t know Dan, he works with the Rodney Local Board supporting our local parks, reserves, and community groups.

Dan’s superpower is bringing people together — building relationships, empowering volunteers, helping solve challenges, and supporting communities to care for the places they love.

Here in Puhoi, we’re grateful for the knowledge, encouragement, and tireless support Dan provides. He goes above and beyond to help local groups turn ideas into action.

⚡ Not all heroes wear capes… some wear muddy boots and make community magic happen.

Thank you, Dan, for being a true community champion!

🦸‍♂️ Happy World Ranger Day to our very own Power Ranger – Dan Marrow! ⚡🌿

Every great team needs a superhero, and we're lucky to have one in ours.

Dan doesn't wear a cape (most of the time), but he does show up with endless energy, a can-do attitude, and a superpower for bringing people together. Whether he's empowering community groups, building strong relationships, lending a hand, solving problems, or quietly going above and beyond, Dan is always ready to answer the call.

While superheroes save cities, Dan helps communities thrive. His mission is connecting people, protecting our environment, and making the impossible feel possible.

Behind so many successful projects is someone working tirelessly in the background—and for us, that's Dan. His dedication, generosity, and willingness to go the extra mile inspire everyone around him.

So on World Ranger Day, we're celebrating our own environmental superhero.

💚 Thank you, Dan, for your unwavering commitment, your incredible support of our communities, and for proving that the greatest superpower of all is making a difference.

⚡ Not all heroes wear capes… some wear muddy boots and turn up whenever they're needed.

25/07/2026

Another successful catch this week along the river walkway – this large, mature breeding female ship rat has now been removed from the ecosystem.

Thanks to ongoing trapping and baiting, pest numbers remain low, but this is a timely reminder that there are always pest species ready to move into any available space. Consistent control is what keeps their numbers down and protects our native wildlife.

This particular rat was caught near one of the BBQ tables, so you can relax and enjoy the beautiful river views knowing she's no longer lurking nearby!

Friends of the Park have been consistently undertaking predator control for about 2 years on the park, and the results are speaking for themselves.

Predator Free New Zealand Trust Auckland Parks

24/07/2026

WHAT TRAPPERS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BIRD FLU:

DOC recommends trappers stop using eggs from non-commercial sources as lures.

“Due to food hygiene and safety regulations in place in the commercial poultry industry, the likelihood of HPAI contaminated eggs ending up in the retail market is very low," they say in their HPAI safe pest control fact sheet.

"Eggs obtained from non-commercial sources such as backyard chickens carry an unknown risk and should not be used for trapping purposes once HPAI is present in New Zealand. "

Here's what else you need to keep front of mind when you're out in the bush:

- If you come across dead wildlife or wildlife suspected of having bird flu, do not touch, move, or remove the animals. (DOC)

- If you’re visiting a wildlife area, do not approach sick or dead birds, fur seals, or sea lions. (DOC)

- If you encounter three or more sick or dead birds, fur seals, or sea lions together, report the incident immediately to Biosecurity New Zealand's Hotline on 0800 80 99 66 (DOC)

- Bird flu symptoms to watch for: (DOC)
Lack of coordination, tremors, or swimming in circles
Twisted neck or other abnormal posture
Inability to stand or fly
Diarrhoea
Difficulty breathing, coughing, or sneezing
Swelling around the head, neck, or eyesCloudiness or changes in eye colour
Sudden death

- If contact with suspect wildlife cannot be avoided, wear appropriate protective clothing and gloves, and wash your hands thoroughly immediately afterwards. (DOC)

More information ⬇👇

https://www.mpi.govt.nz/biosecurity-in-nz/dont-let-bird-flu-take-flight

Department of Conservation: Avian influenza
https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/wildlife-health/avian-influenza/

Predator Free NZ
https://predatorfreenz.org/stories/things-you-should-know/five-things-to-do-now-that-bird-flu-is-here

Avian influenza has arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand. The risk to human health is low, but here’s what you can do on the trapline or in your backyard to minimise the risk of spreading the disease.

12/07/2026

GO Puhoi! What a huge change in a short time for this space. 🌿

What a fantastic morning of community collaboration in the heart of Puhoi! 🌿💚

A huge thank you to the families who travelled from outside the area to lend a hand, our wonderful local volunteers, the Puhoi Vision & Action team, Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, Green by Nature, and Auckland Council Parks staff for coming together to make a real difference.

Together, we planted an incredible 820 native plants in the village centre. Every plant contributes to creating a greener, healthier, and more welcoming space for our community and for future generations to enjoy.

Days like today show what can be achieved when people come together with a shared vision for community, wellbeing, and caring for the places we love.
Thank you to everyone who got their hands dirty and helped bring this project to life. 🌱

11/07/2026

Pop goes the weasel! Trap 40 strikes again with another weasel. Puhoi has a weasel problem, sad but true, keep up the trapping folks, we are making a difference together ❤️

04/06/2026

It’s not for money it’s not for fame or personal gain,
It’s for the love of nature and for a helping hand,
That is something you can’t buy with wealth.
It’s not medals won with pride, it’s for that feeling deep inside.
It’s that reward down in heart, it’s that feeling that you’re been a part, of helping others far and near that makes you be a Volunteer.

Auckland Parks Restore Rodney East The Forest Bridge Trust