Friends of the Park Pūhoi

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 ❤️

09/07/2026

We are all friends of the park ❤️

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

23/05/2026

🐾 Friends of the Park – Predator Control Update

The numbers tell an important story about what’s happening across our network of 89 traps and bait stations.

Over the past 270 days, a total of 267 pests have been removed. In the most recent 30 days alone, 61 were caught, showing that predator pressure is still very active in the area.

🐀 Rats are currently the main pressure point
93 rats caught overall
40 rats caught in the last 30 days

Rats are making up the majority of recent catches, which highlights a clear spike in activity. This kind of surge can happen quickly, and it shows just how important consistent trapping is to keep numbers under control.

🪤 The unseen mahi – bait stations

Alongside trapping, bait stations are doing important work that doesn’t show up in trap counts.
Over the same period, around 10kg of rodent bait has been used, which confirms ongoing rodent activity in the wider area that we don’t always directly see.

Together, traps and bait stations give us a fuller picture:

Traps show what is physically caught
Bait stations show ongoing rodent pressure in the environment
🐾 Other catches (last 30 days)
Possums: 9
Hedgehogs: 2
Mustelids: 1
Other pests: 9
🌿 Why this matters

While the numbers show strong ongoing pressure — particularly from rats right now — they also show that the system is working. Every check, every reset, and every bait station refill is helping protect native birds, insects, and the wider ecosystem.

This is steady, consistent community conservation mahi — and it’s making a real difference.

Auckland Parks

20/05/2026

Friends of the park, come planting on June 6th. Put a little love in the ground 🌿 Auckland Parks Restore Rodney East

07/05/2026

A special thank you to Puhoi Valley for generously supporting the recent Friends of the Park Trappers BBQ and appreciation gifts.

Your support helped us celebrate and thank the amazing volunteers who give their time and energy to protecting and restoring our local park. Community support like this makes a real difference and is truly appreciated.

Thank you for backing local conservation and the people behind it!
🌿👏

Puhoi Valley Auckland Parks Auckland Biodiversity