Wildland Consultants Ltd, 99 Sala Street, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua (2026)

18/06/2026

Our Rotorua Wildland Consultants Ltd team have succumbed to World Cup fever. They might be seeing things.

Fungi are being mistaken for footballs.

This “ball” is actually tūtae whetū, a basket fungus (𝘐𝘭𝘦𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘤𝘵𝘺𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘪𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘶𝘮). It was spotted outside our offices in some leaf-litter.

It’s not only the external anatomy of tūtae whetū that’s strikingly unusual.

Underneath the white, fluffy-looking exterior is a central core comprised of stinky brown gleba. A few days after the “basket” emerges, the white exterior begins to decay away, revealing odorous brown spores. These attract flies who then land on, and subsequently disperse, the fungus about the forest floor.

When conditions are more dry, the white exterior peels off and the base separates from the ground. The basket then rolls about like…a ball… distributing spores as it moves all around.

You can read more about these unusual fungi on iNaturalist and even check out a transverse section revealing the complex internal anatomy.

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/382779-Ileodictyon-cibarium

Thank you to Rafael Moreira for the lovely capture of your “football” fungus.

16/06/2026

At Wildland Consultants Ltd our knowledge keeps us grounded. Knowledge maintains our ability to take a broad view as consultants when problem-solving and safeguarding ecological integrity.

We are all subject-matter experts whose deep expertise is driven by personal passion for te taiao and a commitment to life-long learning.

And it’s through our knowledge that we, as a company of consultants, connect to community.

Every year Wildlands sponsors and attends conferences and workshops across Aotearoa to exchange knowledge with our community. The Coastal Restoration Trust of New Zealand Tāhuna Ora held their most recent conference in Uawa, Tolaga Bay – sponsored by Wildlands and hosted by Hauiti Marae. It had great energy. Over 150 coastal scientists, government staff, academics and students, community groups, landowners, iwi, conservation groups and businesses attended – all as passionate about the coastal environment of Aotearoa as we are.

This year, instead of a conference, the Coastal Restoration Trust is taking a different approach. Integrating knowledge with community 𝘪𝘯 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘶, they are offering regionally focused events like workshops, mini conferences, “bus stop” trips and local talks to bring practitioners together.

They’d love to hear from you if your organisation, council or Coast Care group would like to host or attend a regional event.

The integrity of our community – fostered by connecting, developing and exchanging knowledge – is fundamental to protecting ecological integrity, so please email them at: [email protected].

- Team Wildlands 🦀.

Image Credits:
Simon Hoyle Southlight CRT 🙏

12/06/2026

This Introduction to Pest Animal Control unit will cover the basic information on pest control protocols in Aotearoa. Participants will gain hands-on skills - critical to setting traps safely - and review a pest control line in the field.This one-day training unit will be....

22/05/2026

Frozen harakeke! Wildland Consultants Ltd Otago ecology team spent a frosty morning surveying Wangaloa Creek wetland last June.

The wetland is a large harakeke (New Zealand flax, 𝘗𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘶𝘮 𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘹) swamp in City Forests Ltd's Tokoiti Forest, south of Dunedin. City Forests manages more than 20,000 hectares of forest and habitat in Otago.

The survey was part of an ecological assessment that Wildlands undertook across several plantation forests owned by City Forests to inform their High Conservation Value assessments.

High Conservation Assessments are part of the requirements for plantations to achieve certification with the Forest Stewardship Council. Getting certified is an important, positive sustainability step, as FSC certification demonstrates forest management complies with the highest social and environmental standards.

During the survey, the Wildlands team observed that unlike many other native flaxlands, those at Wangaloa Creek had not been harvested for flax-fibre in the past – they had survived over time intact.

The Wildlands team also observed a unique snow tussock (𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘤𝘩𝘭𝘰𝘢 spp.) grassland, which unusually was only seven kilometres from the coast.

Wildlands undertakes High Conservation Value assessments for forestry throughout Aotearoa New Zealand, and are very our proud of how our surveys help forestry owners to understand the ecological values present in natural areas within their forests.

First developed by the FSC, the HCV concept is a framework designed to identify, manage, and monitor areas of outstanding and critical environmental, ecological, or social importance within production forests.

After the Wangaloa Creek wetland was surveyed, Wildlands assessed another 41 areas of native habitat. These included patches of mature kāmahi (𝘗𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘭𝘭𝘢 𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘢) forest and, of course, more wetlands!

Thank you to Luke Liddell for this field update.

-Team Wildlands 🌿.

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17/05/2026

With more frequent and severe weather events, collaborative projects are crucial for protecting vital infrastructure and delivering effective environmental stewardship.

Following recent storm surges along the east coast of Te Waipounamu/South Island, emergency works were required by KiwiRail to repair and safeguard significantly damaged coastal infrastructure between Hundalee and Oaro.

As part of the response, Wildland Consultants Ltd undertook an ecological survey that identified a significant haul-out area for kekeno/New Zealand fur seals (𝘈𝘳𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪).

Marine mammals are protected under the 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘤𝘵 1978, and it is an offence to harass, disturb, harm, or otherwise interfere with them or their habitat.

Through careful planning and site management, the repair works proceeded with minimal disturbance to these and other taonga species present along this significant stretch of coastline.

- Team Wildlands 🦭.

13/05/2026

🔍 Look. Connect. Act. Share.

At Wildland Consultants Ltd we exist to give the natural world a voice - for our waterways, and our indigenous ecosystems, plants, and fauna.

For our team of expert ecologists and restoration specialists, nature comes first. We hone our expertise, foster our passion, and stay grounded by exploring biodiversity where we live, whether we are working or relaxing.
Naturally then, the United Nations 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 holds significant meaning for us.

Join with us on May 22nd as we mark this special annual day. Participate in local initiatives, discover, nurture, or simply learn more about the biodiversity around you. Share your experiences with one another and enjoy your positive local impact.

The UN said it best,

“𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘨𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘴”.

We will link some biodiversity activities happening across Aotearoa in the comments below.

Team Wildlands 🌿.

Music credits: Jason Shaw Audionautix
Bird SFX: Department of Conservation (DOC) & Dr. Lindsey Jane G.

06/05/2026

UAVs are powerful tools used in research, though they can require special permits to be flown near wildlife and in places where 'disturbance' is prohibited.

Recently, Wildland Consultants Ltd had the pleasure of collaborating with Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha/ University of Canterbury to monitor and assess the potential effects on birds from uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Thank you to researchers Fred Samandari, Director of UC’s Wireless Research Centre, Adriel Kind, Jenny Ladley, and the whole team for this valuable collaboration.

Kaitorete Spit, which is located south of Ōtautahi Christchurch City and separates Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere from the ocean, is a place with significant cultural and ecological value. It is home to an exceptional array of Threatened and At Risk bird species, including kawau tikitiki/spotted s**g (𝘗𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘹 𝘱𝘶𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴), taranui/Caspian tern (𝘏𝘺𝘥𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘯𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘢), tarāpunga/red-billed gull (𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘦𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘴), pohowera/banded dotterel (𝘈𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘩𝘺𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘣𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘴 𝘣𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘴, At Risk – Declining), as well as many other taonga species.

After two years of intense monitoring, an Avian Management and Monitoring Plan has now been developed. This provides data-driven management actions to prevent the disturbance of birds from UAVs, for example, designated flight zones and UAV speed and height restrictions.

Kaitorete Spit is also an important nesting area for banded dotterel. While on site recently, our researchers noted several tyre marks left by vehicles passing through. When out enjoying recreational activities, such as four-wheel driving, please take note of any Avian Management and Monitoring Plan signs or restrictions that may be in place to protect the wildlife present.

Working together for the te taiao/the environment is our collective responsibility.

- Team Wildlands 🪶.

24/04/2026

Braided rivers in the Canterbury Region of Te Waipounamu/the South Island provide essential breeding and feeding habitat to many Threatened and At Risk manu/birds.

They are also a water-source for farms.

Since 2021, Wildland Consultants Ltd's Christchurch team have been regularly surveying for birds along the Waimakariri and Rakaia Rivers on behalf of water irrigation company Central Plains Water Limited (CPWL).

Our expert survey team, led by Senior Avifauna Ecologist Dr Della Bennet, also includes Restoration Team Leader Andrew Stace and Avifauna Ecologist Eleanor Gunby.

Braided rivers provide incredibly important breeding habitats for species like tarapirohe/black-fronted tern (𝘊𝘩𝘭𝘪𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘣𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴, Threatened – Nationally Endangered), ngutu pare/wrybill (𝘈𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘩𝘺𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘴, Threatened – Nationally Increasing), tarāpuka/black-billed gulls (𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘪𝘤𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘪, At Risk – Declining), pohowera/banded dotterels (𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘳𝘪𝘶𝘴 𝘣𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘴 𝘣𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘴, At Risk – Declining), South Island pied oystercatchers (𝘏𝘢𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘴 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘪, At Risk – Declining), tara/white-fronted tern (Sterna striata striata, At Risk – Declining), and even māpunga/black s**g (Phalacrocorax carbo novaehollandiae, At Risk – Relict).

Excitingly, all these species have been recorded during recent surveys.

Braided rivers are also important for species like reigning Forest & Bird New Zealand's Bird of the Year – kārearea/eastern falcon (𝘍𝘢𝘭𝘤𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘢𝘦, Threatened – Nationally Vulnerable). Falcons use braided rivers as hunting grounds and have also been recorded during recent surveys by the team.

Beyond birds, those curious to learn more about how CPWL approach water sustainability can view this recent Canterbury Today article, https://lnkd.in/eY9K7eVT.

Team Wildlands 🪶.

18/03/2026

Wildlands are dedicated to making a real difference for te taiao and for our clients like the truly indefatigable Kaharoa Kōkako Trust.

Meaningful opportunities to apply our outstanding ecological knowledge with passion and objectivity are always readily embraced by our field-loving ecology teams.

Recently, a trio of eager ecologists from our Rotorua office, Hannah Heasman & Drs Joanna McQueen-Watton and Chris Bycroft, conducted some milestone vegetation survey work for Kaharoa Kōkako Trust in Kaharoa Conservation Area.

The Trust are an inspiring community-volunteer led organisation established in 1997 to protect and restore the remnant North Island kōkako (𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘦𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘪) population living in Kaharoa Conservation Area.

A big part of the Kaharoa Kōkako Trust’s work is delivering sustained predator & browser (e.g. deer, pigs & goats) control over 950 hectares in Kaharoa forest. The Trust’s efforts have supported impressive increases in kōkako and driven many flow-on ecosystem health benefits.

Keen to develop an objective, metric-based understanding of how beneficial their browser control work is to the forest ecosystem, the Trust have set up a fenced browser-exclusion enclosure. Essentially, a large pen that remaining big mammals can’t pe*****te.

The enclosure means plants can grow within it free from large mammals chomping away, and is a clever methodology tool to measure the positive flow-on effects of pest-control.

Engaged by the Trust, Hannah, Jo and Chris have established two permanent 20 × 20 metre vegetation plots. One within and one outside the enclosure.

Over time, the size, number and diversity of plants growing in the plots will be measured and compared. The results will give the Trust a more complete picture of how their pest-control is benefiting flora. If growth remains similar both in and out of the pen, they can be confident their forest-wide pest-control is working well ✅.

To learn more about the Trust, visit their website:
https://lnkd.in/gPna-tpr

Big thank you to Yannick for his reporting on this field-trip.

- Team Wildlands 🌿.

06/03/2026

Te Whau Pathway Environment Trust are celebrating the completion of the first boardwalk section of the Te Whau Pathway Project.

Te Atatū South section, which links Roberts Field with the Northwestern Cycleway, is officially opening at 3:00 pm on the 20th March. And you’re invited.

Wildland Consultants Ltd contributions to the project began in 2016 through providing expert ecological advice during planning and consenting.

Alongside engineers, landscape architects, mana whenua, and local communities, Wildlands have helped ensure ecological values are understood, protected and enhanced.

Recently we have been carrying out nesting bird surveys, lizard salvage & relocation, bat surveys, saltmarsh translocations, mangrove monitoring, and site preparation & planting work.

Please enjoy this adorable video from Te Whau Pathway team who are busy preparing for the big opening ⭐.
It’s too lovely. Ka pai.
..And what fantastic sports you are Te Whau Pathway Environment Trust Chairperson Tony Miguel, and Amy O'Donnell and Sam Chote from HEB Construction 💯.

See you all at the opening.

- Team Wildlands 🌿.

Wildland Consultants Ltd

18/06/2026

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12/06/2026

22/05/2026

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13/05/2026

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