Guardians of the Source: Free The Tree's Innovative Site-Led Work Protecting Auckland's Critical Ecosystems

The Challenge: Safeguarding Auckland's Most Precious Ecological Havens

Auckland's Regional Pest Management Plan (2021-2031) mandated a new level of focused protection for the region's most vulnerable "Biodiversity Focus Areas." This gave rise to an innovative, multi-year "Site-Led Programme" by Auckland Council to deliver targeted ecological interventions. The challenge was immense: protecting a diverse portfolio of highly sensitive sites from invasive species.

These critical sites included:

• Priceless Freshwater Sanctuaries: Safeguarding vital habitats, particularly for the nationally threatened long-finned eel (Anguilla dieffenbachii). The future of this taonga species in the Auckland region significantly relies on two of only three known breeding sites where our work was focused. These areas also support the at-risk giant kōkopu (Galaxias argenteus).

• Globally Significant Island Ecosystems: Such as Ruapuke/Maria Island in The Noises group – historic birthplace of New Zealand's predator-free dream (world's first islands with rodents permanently eradicated, 1964) and now a vital, densely burrowed sanctuary for five seabird species, including the takahikare/white-faced storm petrel, one of only six Hauraki Gulf breeding sites. Past disturbances on Ruapuke led to introduced weeds proving "very hard to control," threatening this legacy.

• Diverse Mainland Habitats: The inaugural contract phase alone encompassed five distinct sub-projects across approximately 200 hectares – from wetlands and bush to public and private land – requiring surveys for over 40 invasive species and control of more than 20.

• Complex Logistical & Access Issues: Many sites were remote or involved difficult access, like Ruapuke/Maria during seabird nesting, or Te Matuku Forest bordering Ngāti Paoa land.

• Council's Need for a Pioneering Partner: Auckland Council required a highly trusted, agile, innovative partner to execute and co-develop the programme's scope and methodologies, working effectively with what became a third Council department for Free The Tree.

Our Approach: Collaborative Expertise, Tailored Innovation, and Deep Local Commitment

Selected for this innovative programme for what is now the third continuous year, Free The Tree embraced the challenge by integrating deep ecological knowledge, local presence, and adaptive management systems:

• Co-Developing Solutions with Council: Demonstrating exceptional trust, Council approached Free The Tree to help collaboratively design the inaugural contract's scope, cost estimate, and work programme, leveraging our proven experience. This partnership saw our Operations Manager capably advance the programme without direct Council oversight for three months during a critical FY23 period due to Council staffing changes.

• Targeted Care for Critical Habitats:

  • Eel & Kōkopu Sanctuaries: We undertook meticulous post-planting maintenance in a Council reserve vital for restoring habitat for long-finned eels (Anguilla dieffenbachii) and giant kōkopu (Galaxias argenteus). Our team cleared weeds from around 2,000 young native plants, building upon our prior volunteer work helping a community group plant these same trees for this critical species recovery.

  • Ruapuke/Maria Island (The Noises): Leveraging prior familiarity from a 2021 Council/The Noises Trust initiative (negating a costly site visit), we implemented careful weed eradication. This was in close collaboration with The Noises Trust, from planning through execution, to protect the fragile seabird breeding grounds.

• Innovative Problem-Solving & Local Synergies:

  • Te Matuku Forest Access: When Council access to survey corridors on Ngāti Paoa land was denied, we innovatively used GPX tracks from Te Korowai o Waiheke (TKoW) stoat trapping lines to accurately plan and budget the work.

  • Motukaha Island ("Island of Strength"): We recently achieved 100% invasive species control on this island near Waiheke's Church Bay. This success creates another protected haven and exemplifies overlapping efficiencies and reduced carbon footprint from a local company: our Motukaha work directly complements and protects our efforts at the Church Bay Esplanade Reserve (managed under our Ecological Maintenance contract).

• Systematic Planning & Adaptive Management: Initial programme development involved over 90 hours of meticulous planning. Our Airtable database was key for flexible scheduling across diverse sites (considering ecological cycles, landowner wishes, contingencies), adapting to client-led variations (Te Matuku survey scope change, added post-planting maintenance), and dynamically upskilling our team (e.g., wetland plant ID) while managing concurrent projects.

• Advanced Data Management for Transparency & Effectiveness: We utilized Council’s Field Maps (ArcGIS, Survey123) for standardized data collection, seamlessly integrating this with our Airtable and CalTopo systems for comprehensive tracking (GPX tracks, pest locations/densities, staff hours, agrichemical use, H&S), providing near real-time updates and detailed monthly reports.

Key Outcomes & Impact: Protecting Auckland's Natural Heritage, Building Enduring Partnerships

Free The Tree's leadership in Auckland Council's Site-Led Programme continues to deliver exceptional results, safeguarding irreplaceable ecosystems and forging stronger collaborative pathways:

• Sustained Delivery of an Innovative Council Programme: Our selection for a third consecutive year underscores our successful contribution to this vital conservation initiative.

• Direct Protection of Critically Important Habitats: Our work makes crucial contributions to protecting and enhancing two of Auckland's three known breeding sites for the nationally threatened long-finned eel (Anguilla dieffenbachii). It also supports vital habitat for the at-risk giant kōkopu (Galaxias argenteus) within these freshwater sanctuaries.

• Safeguarding a Global Conservation Landmark: Our targeted weed control on historic Ruapuke/Maria Island actively protects its unique legacy as the world’s first successful rodent-eradicated island and preserves its critical breeding habitat for five seabird species, including the takahikare/white-faced storm petrel.

• Measurable Success on Offshore Islands: Achieving 100% invasive species control on Motukaha Island is a clear testament to our team's skill, creating another secure ecosystem.

• Exceptional Client Satisfaction & Trust: Multi-year contract renewals and the glowing testimony from Council Contract Manager Natasha Beletzky—praising our "excellently carried out" reporting, communication, data collection, and overall delivery—speak volumes. Council's trust in our independent programme management during staffing transitions further highlights this.

• Enhanced Collaboration & Community Engagement: We foster strong working relationships with a third Council department, The Noises Trust, community groups like TKoW, and private landowners, providing technical advice and contributing to broader ecological action, including fostering environments for the revival of species like the giant kōkopu (Galaxias argenteus) and long-finned eels (Anguilla dieffenbachii).

• The Clear Advantage of Local Expertise & Integrated Operations: This complex programme powerfully demonstrates the benefits of engaging a committed local contractor. Free The Tree’s ability to co-develop solutions, leverage deep local knowledge, create tangible cross-project efficiencies (Motukaha/Church Bay synergy), reduce carbon emissions through optimized local operations, and foster strong community ties delivers unparalleled value and sustainable conservation outcomes.

Through the Site-Led Programme, Free The Tree nurtures legacies, protects future generations of endangered species, and demonstrates how innovative, locally-driven partnerships achieve profound ecological victories.