Blog

Volunteer Spotlight: Gavin Horner

Trapping at Gerontius and Awaruku Reserves Gavin Horner has been trapping at Gerontius Reserve and, more recently, Awaruku Reserve for the past 12 months. He moved up from Wellington about four years ago, where he’d already caught the conservation bug through Predator Free initiatives Mt...

Hundreds of native fish killed in Campbells Bay pollution event

Hundreds of native fish and tuna/eels have been found dead in a branch of Campbells Bay Stream following a suspected pollution event. The incident is a heartbreaking reminder that stormwater drains are not treated — what goes down an outside drain flows straight into local...

Redwoods Restoration Project – Small Steps, Big Results

When people look at a weed-infested wetland or stream margin, the task of restoring it can seem overwhelming. That was certainly how things appeared at Redwoods, an 8.5-hectare property in Arkles Bay. Redwoods consists of 17 privately owned lots surrounded by shared land that includes...

Growing something special at Vaughan’s Stream

Our vision is simple — a restored, thriving Vaughan’s Stream and surrounding landscape. Our focus is on three key pillars of restoration: water quality, pest animals, and pest plants. “There’s something incredibly rewarding (and slightly addictive!) about clearing invasive plants and seeing the difference almost immediately.”...

Stanmore Bay Wetland: Growing a Living Classroom and Community Hub

The Stanmore Bay Wetland is a 3.5-hectare site on the grounds of Whangaparāoa College, featuring two stormwater ponds and natural wetland seeps that support a rich variety of plant and animal life. Restoration began in 2021 with funding from Auckland Council Healthy Waters, focusing on...

RHB Predator Control 2025 – Just WOW!

What an incredible year we’ve had across our predator control network. The dedication, consistency, and sheer heart that each of you brings to this mahi is something truly special. Across the Restore Hibiscus & Bays Predator Network, our volunteers logged 13,537 records on Trap.NZ in 2025. That’s 2,170 more...

Growing Green Hearts: Students helping nature thrive!

This year, Restore Hibiscus and Bays has been buzzing with energy thanks to the amazing efforts of our youngest eco-warriors! From preschools to high schools and even some keen scout groups, students have been rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck into some serious environmental...

Predator Control: A record-breaking year!

What a year it’s been so far for our predator control volunteers! In 2025, more than 100 dedicated volunteers have been out in the field checking and maintaining 474 traps and 707 bait stations across the Restore Hibiscus & Bays area. Together, you’ve made an...

Dig for Joy: Wellbeing through Conservation

Growing roots, growing connections Getting your hands in the soil isn’t just good for papatuanuku – it’s great for you too! At Restore Hibiscus and Bays, we’re incredibly grateful for our passionate volunteers. From Campbells Bay to Waiwera, locals are doing the mahi — removing...

Stream Life on the North Shore: What lives in our streams and how to protect them.

The North Shore is celebrated for its sweeping coastal views, but just inland, a quieter kind of beauty flows beneath our feet—our freshwater streams. Winding through suburbs, reserves, and parks, these waterways are vibrant ecosystems teeming with life. Native insects, birds, and aquatic creatures thrive...

Green Your Stream – Growing Resilience, One Stream at a Time

Green Your Stream is in its second year and we are again making great progress. The goal of this Local Board funded project is to enhance the health and function of urban streams across the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area. Focused on private properties...

Nuturing Nature: The Restoration of Amorino Park by Local Volunteers

Amorino Park, nestled along the Orewa Estuary, is a beautiful green space that offers a perfect mix of native bush and large grassy areas. Located on the southern side of the bridge connecting Red Beach and Orewa, this beloved park serves as a recreational spot...

Campbells Bay’s Centennial Park – An Urban Sanctuary Delight

Centennial Park, located in the heart of Campbells Bay on Auckland’s North Shore, was designated a recreation reserve in 1884, making it one of Auckland region’s oldest parks. It is 73.5 hectares in area; 44.5 hectares are leased to Pupuke Golf Club and the remaining...

Waiwera’s dedicated effort to protect the Northern New Zealand Dotterel

The Northern New Zealand dotterel, or tūturiwhatu, is a stunning shorebird found only in New Zealand. With a population of just 2,500, these birds are classified as threatened and face a number of challenges to their survival. Their nests, which are simply scrapes in the...

A Big Year for Predator Control: a Look Back at 2024 and What’s Ahead.

As 2024 comes to a close, it’s a great time to reflect on the incredible progress we’ve made in the fight against predators in the Hibiscus and Bays area. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our volunteers, our expanding network of AT220 traps, and community...

Long Bay Residents Join Forces with Restore Hibiscus and Bays to Create a Predator-Free Suburb

At Restore Hibiscus and Bays (RHB), we believe in the power of community to protect and restore our natural environment. That’s why we’re excited to partner with the Long Bay Residents Association (LBRA) to help transform Long Bay into a wildlife-friendly, predator-free suburb. Long Bay...

Bird Counting Season is Here!

Exciting news! Restore Hibiscus and Bays will be conducting bird counts this November. Bird counting, or monitoring, is crucial for tracking bird populations and informing local conservation efforts. What Is Bird Counting? Each year, we conduct bird counts across Hibiscus and Bays using the 5-Minute...

Wetland working bees working wonders!

Restoration of the wetland on Whangaparāoa College’s ground is a BIG job! It is a 3.5 Ha site which includes a significant wetland area. The wetland is heavily infested with ecological weeds including moth plant, woolly nightshade, pampas grass, giant reed, Japanese honeysuckle and many...

Health and Safety Alert: Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Auckland Council wants to ensure your safety outdoors this year due to concerns about Avian Influenza (HPAI or bird flu). While New Zealand has not reported any cases, vigilance is crucial. Although rare, humans can contract the virus through contact with sick or dead birds...

Predator Control in Hibiscus and Bays – June update

The Bigger Picture of predator control in the Hibiscus and Bays We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our predator control volunteers for your dedication and hard work in predator control. Your efforts are an essential part of a much larger initiative to...

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