Te Kauae o Maui (TKOM) lies on the west coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, about 2.5 km south of Colville Village.
TKOM is owned by 11 individuals and covers approximately 97 hectares of native forest.
It is the centre piece of the “Umangawha Kiwi Site” which encompasses 7 landowners, spanning about 362 hectares and a variety of habitats.
The land is continuous with other forests.
Limited road access makes this block of land quite remote and relatively undisturbed by people.
The land itself is shaped like a big basin with meandering streams to their headwaters.
TKOM lies in relative close proximity to The State Forest on Moehau, which covers about 5000 hectares, from the northern tip of the Coromandel southward and is intensively ecologically managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC).
Immediately south from this area, the Moehau Environment Group (MEG) has been actively protecting kiwi and other endangered species since 2005.
Bordering MEG’s pest control efforts in the south and east is the Harataunga Kiwi Project, an iwi initiative, which undertakes mustelid trapping to protect kiwi around Kennedy Bay.
TKOM has been included in the mustelid trapping regime managed by MEG right from their outset in 2005.
The fact that TKOM lies very close to the southern border of the mustelid trapping programme makes it very susceptible to constant reinfestation with animal pests from the south. If the land was intensively monitored and managed for predators, its location could prove a tremendous advantage, because early detection of potentially lethal predators (e.g. ferrets) would allow for early intervention.
TKOM comprises a mixture of mature and regenerating forest:
Beside manuka and kanuka, it contains mature kauri, pururi, rata, rewarewa, tanekaha, pohutukawa and tawa, to name just a few.
It has a large number of nikau palm groves, mature fern trees, lancewood and five finger.
Pittosporum virgatum which is at risk and naturally uncommon, is present.
The area has never been burned off, as was the case with most of the neighbouring properties and therefore the regeneration of the forest is well established.
TKOM has not been milled since it was purchased by the current owners in 1980 and some of the kauri are starting to crown now.
Great efforts have been made to keep browsing stock out of the forest, which has resulted in a healthy forest floor.
The “Umangawha Kiwi Site” was classed ‘a kiwi hot spot’ by Sid Marsh in 1995. Three other surveys, conducted in 2005, 2010 and 2014, confirm his findings.
A male kiwi and its offspring were monitored for four years as part of the Moehau Kiwi Sanctuaries efforts to understand and protect the species in a more effective way.
Kaka are heard and seen daily and at night roost on one of the centre ridges.
Kereru, morepork, bellbirds and tui are abundant, as are a lot of other small forest birds.
The streams are pristine and undisturbed, creating the ideal habitat for native frogs, fish and eels.
Skinks and geckos can be seen sunbathing and just recently a couple of the very rare and elusive Coromandel Striped Gecko have been spotted.
A wide variety of insects, native bees and invertebrates also call TKOM their home.
TKOM is owned by 11 individuals and covers approximately 97 hectares of native forest.
It is the centre piece of the “Umangawha Kiwi Site” which encompasses 7 landowners, spanning about 362 hectares and a variety of habitats.
The land is continuous with other forests.
Limited road access makes this block of land quite remote and relatively undisturbed by people.
The land itself is shaped like a big basin with meandering streams to their headwaters.
TKOM lies in relative close proximity to The State Forest on Moehau, which covers about 5000 hectares, from the northern tip of the Coromandel southward and is intensively ecologically managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC).
Immediately south from this area, the Moehau Environment Group (MEG) has been actively protecting kiwi and other endangered species since 2005.
Bordering MEG’s pest control efforts in the south and east is the Harataunga Kiwi Project, an iwi initiative, which undertakes mustelid trapping to protect kiwi around Kennedy Bay.
TKOM has been included in the mustelid trapping regime managed by MEG right from their outset in 2005.
The fact that TKOM lies very close to the southern border of the mustelid trapping programme makes it very susceptible to constant reinfestation with animal pests from the south. If the land was intensively monitored and managed for predators, its location could prove a tremendous advantage, because early detection of potentially lethal predators (e.g. ferrets) would allow for early intervention.
TKOM comprises a mixture of mature and regenerating forest:
Beside manuka and kanuka, it contains mature kauri, pururi, rata, rewarewa, tanekaha, pohutukawa and tawa, to name just a few.
It has a large number of nikau palm groves, mature fern trees, lancewood and five finger.
Pittosporum virgatum which is at risk and naturally uncommon, is present.
The area has never been burned off, as was the case with most of the neighbouring properties and therefore the regeneration of the forest is well established.
TKOM has not been milled since it was purchased by the current owners in 1980 and some of the kauri are starting to crown now.
Great efforts have been made to keep browsing stock out of the forest, which has resulted in a healthy forest floor.
The “Umangawha Kiwi Site” was classed ‘a kiwi hot spot’ by Sid Marsh in 1995. Three other surveys, conducted in 2005, 2010 and 2014, confirm his findings.
A male kiwi and its offspring were monitored for four years as part of the Moehau Kiwi Sanctuaries efforts to understand and protect the species in a more effective way.
Kaka are heard and seen daily and at night roost on one of the centre ridges.
Kereru, morepork, bellbirds and tui are abundant, as are a lot of other small forest birds.
The streams are pristine and undisturbed, creating the ideal habitat for native frogs, fish and eels.
Skinks and geckos can be seen sunbathing and just recently a couple of the very rare and elusive Coromandel Striped Gecko have been spotted.
A wide variety of insects, native bees and invertebrates also call TKOM their home.