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Thanks to an active intervention program, at Whangarei Heads we really do have kiwi in our backyard.

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Whangarei Heads Landcare Forum

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WHLF supports community landcare groups in Whangarei Heads. Photo courtesy of Kennedy Warne

What is Whangarei Heads Landcare Forum?

Whangarei Heads Landcare Forum inc (WHLF) is the platform enabling community-driven projects doing pest and weed control throughout the Whangarei Heads peninsula.

Whangarei Heads is a special place with great beaches, great mountains, great bush, with lots of rare, special and pretty unique wildlife. Because the environment is continuously under threat by weeds, possums, rats, stoats and development, locals are involved in ‘action on the ground’ to keep their backyard so special.

Checking the bait lines on the Manaia Pest control project

Checking the bait lines on the Manaia Pest control project

Trapper Training

Trapper Training

A bit of background to the Whangarei Heads Landcare Forum

Despite the many weeds and animal pests present, Whangarei Heads has high biodiversity values. The mosaic of habitats within over 6000 ha of Whangarei Heads reflects the mosaic of land use: large scale sheep/beef farms, dairy farms, lifestyle blocks, and coastal settlements. All are complemented by a community that is passionate about caring for what is in its backyard.

WHLF was set up in 2001 when community momentum to protect the special landscape at Whangarei Heads was growing beyond its own resources. Individual, small-scale projects had sprung up all over the Heads. People were conducting possum control, building rat trap lines, organising weed control teams, trapping stoats, and revegetating land.

Backed by the enthusiasm of Helen Moodie, then regional coordinator for NZ Landcare Trust, the groups came together to share ideas, coordinate on projects, and pool their resources. The first few connections built proved to be a success, and the WHLF was born.

Its focus expanded to include helping access funding and undertaking financial management in behalf of the community groups. Today, WHLF continues to bring people together at Whangarei Heads. It helps groups to identify ‘their’ issue, to find their place within the network of groups in Whangarei Heads, and helps provides resources so that the community can get cracking with what it’s really passionate about: ‘action on the ground’.

There are currently 13 groups variously involved in environmental projects at Whangarei Heads

Want to know more? Contact one of our members:

Chairperson: Phillip King : kings@xnet.co.nz

Treasurer: Martin Hunt : martinhunt@farmside.co.nz

Secretary: Helen Moodie : Helen.Moodie@dairynz.co.nz

WHANGAREI HEADS LANDCARE FORUM