Strategic Plan

A Strategic Plan was developed for Kaipupu Point by Derek Brown in 2006. This Plan provides the ‘road map’ as the Society works towards achieving its vision. The Plan outlines the processes through which the natural ecosystems and indigenous flora and fauna of the Kaipupu Point area will be restored, in a ‘mainland island’-style operation, through the eradication and/or control of introduced pest animal and plant species.

Kaipupu Point is well-suited to the creation of a ‘mainland island’, and the eradication of most if not all pest mammal species populations within it is feasible. Re-invasion of certain pest animal species can be expected , and pest and weed control measures will need to be maintained in perpetuity.

Sponsorship is key to achieving the objectives of the Strategic Plan, and community involvement is another key facet of the entire operation.

The first achievement has been the construction of the predator proof fence. Also management access tracks have been constructed around the headland. Once the sea ends of the fence are constructed, the focus will be on the eradication of existing populations of pest animals, with initial priority on stoats, possums and feral cats, and implementation of systems to detect and control potential re-invasion.

Mustelids are one of the invasive predators that must be removed from Kaipupu

Pest Management Strategy

A Pest Management Strategy was developed for Kaipupu Point in 2009 by Te Ngahere Native Forest Management. This pest strategy is intended to be a tool that will play an important part in the achievement of the long term goals of the Kaipupu Point Project.

In particular the strategy will build a knowledge of pest plants within the sanctuary area, in terms of species and distribution; it will identify priorities for control; and allocate roles in pest plant control to stakeholders.

Pest plants present in Kaipupu point threaten the natural regeneration cycles of the existing native forest. Old Mans beard is especially problematic where it is smothering native plants. Himilayan honeysuckle is also a problem where it forms very dense stands. Sycamore and pine displace native tree species and prevent seedling establishment. Gorse, broom, barberry and inkweed will be shaded out in time.

The areas most vulnerable to pest plant invasion include the forest edges along the fenceline, where there is clear ground easy for pest plants to establish in; canopy gaps - where pines have been felled; coastal cliffs, where there are open areas with gorse and broom already established, and track edges, again where there are open areas with seeds easliy spread by birds and walkers.