Our vision is for our 10-acres of the Te Manahuna Mackenzie Region to be a protected ecosanctuary where flora and fauna can thrive, free from predators and pollution. We also hope to share our conservation knowledge with others, and leave a legacy for our family and community. Here's some of the work we've done over the last 14 years:

• Removal of approximately five acres of wilding pines (why are wilding pines invasive?).

• Installation of rabbit proof fencing, thanks to a grant from Environment Canterbury. 

• Extensive native and exotic plantings (see the full list below). 

• Cultivation of plants from our land.

• Dark sky friendly lighting (why is the dark important?).

• No chemicals used on the property (ie, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides).

• Removal of pest animals (rabbits, mustelids, hedgehogs, and feral cats).

• Removal of invasive plants (briar rose, broom, lupins, scotch thistle).

We are proud to have won the Sustainability and Environmental award in the 2022 ARA Business Excellence Awards.

Fauna

BIRDS​

• Bellbird/Korimako

• Blackbird

• Chaffinch

• Fantail/Piwakawaka

• Grey warbler/Riroriro

• House sparrow

• Pipit/ Pihoihoi

• Silvereye/Tauhou

• Song thrush

• Swamp hairier/Kahu

• Welcome swallow

• White-faced heron/Matuku moana​

INSECTS

• ​Bee (native and introduced)

• Beetle

• Bumblebee

• Butterfly

• Cricket

• Dragonfly

• Grasshopper

• Moth

• Praying mantis

OTHER

• Common skink

• Frog

• Spider

• Millipede

• Centipede

Native Flora

• Blue tussock – Poa colensoi

• Carpet heath – Pentachondra pumila

• Coral broom – Carmichaelia crassicaulis subsp. crassicaulis

• Desert broom – Carmichaelia petriei

• Dwarf alpine senecio – Brachyglottis bellidioides

• Golden Spaniard – Aciphylla aurea

• Harebell – Wahlenbergia albomarginata

• Kopoti – Anisotome aromatica

• Manuka – Leptospermum scoparuim

• Maori onion – Bulbinella hookeri

• Matagouri – Discaria toumatou

• Mirrorplant – Coprosma petriei

• Mountain violet – Viola cunninghamii

• Patotara – Leucopogon fraseri

• Pekapeka mountain daisy – Celmisia gracilenta

• Pimelea pulvinaris

• Porcupine shrub- Melicytus alpinus

• Raupo – Typha muelleri

• Snow berry – Gaultheria depressa

• Snow tussock – Chionochloa rigida

• Sprawling wirevine – Muehlenbeckia axillaris

• Tauhinu – Ozothamnus leptophylla

• Turf-mat daisy – Raoulia subsericea

Exotic Flora

• Apple

• Birch

• Cherry

• Chinese poplar

• Claret ash

• Copper beech

• Cypress

• Eucalyptus

• Maple

• Oak

• Old man pine

• Peach

• Redwood

• Walnut

• Willow

Here are some of our future plans for our property:

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• Planting of Himalayan Cypress (Cupressus torulosa) in Spring 2022 as a shelterbelt for our southern boundary, and on our northern boundary for privacy and protection once the plantation opposite us is removed. 

• Planting and cultivation of more trees and plants, especially ones that will attract birds and insects.

• Holding free workshops to share our knowledge and practical tips about conservation and plant cultivation with our community. 

• Installation of signage on the property loop walk to highlight various flora and/or fauna, to help educate friends, family, and guests about our conservation efforts. 

• Design of a booklet to display in our cottage to help our guests learn more about our environment, pest control, flora and fauna, and how they can help.

• The land behind our property may go to the Department of Conservation. If this happens, there may be potential for further development of several wetland areas (why are wetlands important?).