The Tutukaka Landcare Coalition (TLC) was established in 2003 with the aim of protecting and enhancing the residual population of North Island Brown Kiwi found in the coastal forest stretching from Ngunguru to Sandy Bay.
We have done this by installing and maintaining a series of trap lines to reduce or eliminate their key predators—stoats and feral cats—and by educating the community about responsible pet ownership.
Tutukaka Landcare Coalition is part of Kiwi Coast, a collaborative initiative that links over 200 community-led conservation projects, iwi and hapū, schools, forestry companies, government agencies and organisations in the shared vision of restoring the health of our native forests, helping native wildlife thrive and increasing Northland kiwi numbers.
TLC along with Sandy Bay Kiwi and Riverland partakes to the TLC- HVA project. “High Value Area” is a geographic area of Northland where high biodiversity and recreational values are matched with strong community interest in pest control. TLC and adjunct groups, such as landowners, members from the local community and representatives from other stakeholders such as local Landcare groups, iwi and agencies, compose a “Working Group”. This group receives advice and funding from NRC for pest control work over an area of approximately 11,000ha.
Over the last decade we have seen kiwi population decline, halt and then increase significantly to the point where we believe we have at least 500 birds present in the area, possibly many more.
Simultaneously we have reintroduced the Native Brown Teal….. Pateke…. the fourth most endangered duck in the world. 186 captive bred birds have been released over the last six years, and are now successfully breeding right round the district.