Our Trappers Tale
Human History
Mount Tamahunga is a maunga tapu, or sacred peak of iconic importance to the hapu of Ngāti Manuhiri, who are the mandated Mana Whenua of this region. As the highest peak within the mainland area of their rohe, (445m) the maunga is of particular spiritual, cultural and historical importance. Maunga Tamahunga is literally the ancestral head of Ngāti Manuhiri. The upper part of the maunga was imbued with tapu, while its forested slopes traditionally provided a vast resource of food, building materials and rongoa (medicine) for Ngāti Manuhiri.It is central to the identity of Ngāti Manuhiri and is greeted in oratory on the marae.
Today ownership of the maunga comprises several landowners, including iwi, private individuals, the Department of Conservation and Auckland Council. In their Treaty of Waitangi Settlement (2012), Ngāti Manuhiri gained statutory acknowledgment over the entire Omaha Ecological Area while the summit site scientific reserve was vested back to the hapu as cultural redress.
Today ownership of the maunga comprises several landowners, including iwi, private individuals, the Department of Conservation and Auckland Council. In their Treaty of Waitangi Settlement (2012), Ngāti Manuhiri gained statutory acknowledgment over the entire Omaha Ecological Area while the summit site scientific reserve was vested back to the hapu as cultural redress.
Tamahunga Trappers ready to start setting up a trapline, circa 2011. Photo: S. Cameron.
Tamahunga Trappers Incorporated
- The Tamahunga Trappers group was initially formed in January 2010 when several Matakana residents, local Forest and Bird members and Department of Conservation staff recognised the potential for an ecological restoration project at Tamahunga.
- Predator trapping in the forest was initiated, with 54 traps, catching 12 stoats 2 weasels, 65 rats in the first year.
- In 2013 the group became an incorporated society.
- The group now has over 225 traps, on 8 trapping circuits over the mountain, plus many neighbours undertake additional trapping.
- Yearly catches average 30-40 stoats, 5 weasels, 200 rats.
Trap in the Tamahunga forest. Photo: P. Caiger.
Trappers putting out information panels on mustelids. Photo: S. Cameron
Stream on Mt Tamahunga. Photo: P. Caiger.
Forest management and threats
Today you can see a remarkable regeneration of the forest under-story, reaching to 2-3 meters tall, and the recovery of many of the more “palatable” plant species. Botanist Thomas Kirk was guided onto Tamahunga by John Meiklejohn, a local farmer, in the 1860s and discovered the tree that bears his name, Pittosporum kirkii. With ongoing possum control, this plant is again found in the forest.
A pretty white flowering Libertia is endemic to Tamahunga, and once again flourishing after being heavily browsed by goats, as is the rare ”King fern”/ Para (Ptisana salicina).
Tamahunga forms part of a corridor of forest pockets and protected bush linking to Tawharanui, allowing dispersal of birds from Tawharanui. There are increasing numbers of Kereru and Kaka, recently Bellbirds/ korimako and Kakariki/ Red crowned Parakeet, are again taking up residence in the forest, and with predator control, we hope will start to breed successfully.
Tamahunga forms part of a corridor of forest pockets and protected bush linking to Tawharanui, allowing dispersal of birds from Tawharanui. There are increasing numbers of Kereru and Kaka, recently Bellbirds/ korimako and Kakariki/ Red crowned Parakeet, are again taking up residence in the forest, and with predator control, we hope will start to breed successfully.
Threats to the forest
• Cattle – excluded since 1990’s, gaps in fences and storm damage cause incursions.• Goats – ~ 1300 goats were removed between 2007 and 2009. • Possum – concerted control began in 1994, and is ongoing by DOC and Auckland Council.• Pigs – were removed from the area in the 1970’s, but illegal release in 1998 means professional eradication is ongoing. • Deer - an illegal release nearby in April 2020, poses a new threat.
Damage they cause
• Spread of invasive plants• Ring bark adult trees • Destruction of palatable regenerating plants, berries and roots• Digging up of soil, ferns and leaf litter • Pigs eat the Hochstetter's frogs and damage their habitat.