Become a Totaranui KIWI RANGER! It s a great way to get to know this special place

Transcription

1 Become a Totaranui KIWI RANGER! It s a great way to get to know this special place

2 Welcome! Nau mau haere mai. Totaranui is a place full of history, wildlife, forests, beaches and awesome adventures. Take your time to discover why this is such a magical part of Abel Tasman National Park! Let s get started! My name Where I live Other national parks and sanctuaries I ve visited To become a Totaranui KIWI RANGER If you are aged 6 and under do four activities. If you are aged 7 to 9 do five activities. If you are aged 10 to 110 do seven activities. But you don t have to stop there why not do them all! KIWI RANGERS are people who Care about Totaranui and Abel Tasman National Park Care about native plants, animals and conservation Think this place is special and want to know more When you are finished, take your KIWI RANGER booklet to the Totaranui Camp Office ( ), where a ranger will check it and award your badge. Or post it to us - see the inside back page for more details

3 Activity 1: Caring for the National Park Our national parks are special they protect our amazing forests, animals and historic places. Totaranui is in the heart of Abel Tasman National Park and we all have a part to play in looking after this place. We also have to keep ourselves, and others, safe while visiting. Look at the picture. Circle the activities that are allowed in Abel Tasman National Park, and put crosses through those that aren t. Choose one circled and one crossed activity - explain your reasons... Remember to look for the helpful signs around the campground and park to guide your choices

4 Activity 2: My Bird! Choose a bird and quietly observe it for at least 10 minutes. Sketch of the bird and/or it s foot print What are special features of the bird (feathers, colour, beaks, claws etc)? How does it behave (is it in groups, behaviour with its young, does it run, what it eats, sounds it makes etc)? If this bird was a person what words would you use to describe its personality? Keep a running tally of the different sightings and places you have found your bird. Number of sightings List of places seen

5 Activity 3: Isn t Nature Amazing! You can have some truly unique experiences at Totaranui. Complete at least one row, or why not try for them all! Track a weka Fill a jar with layers of sand with different colours and textures

6 Activity 4: Fill Up Your Senses! Both the Pukatea Walk and Goat Bay Track host a huge variety of forest types, from original giants to recent regeneration. Here you can discover the many ways parts of the same forest are so different. On either track, stop for at least a minute at each of the posts numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5. Use your senses to carefully observe the amount of light, moisture, birdlife, variety of plants, height of the canopy, and temperature. Mark on the graphs the levels you find at each stop. Lower Medium Higher LOOK AT THE HEIGHT OF THE CANOPY Darker Medium Lighter SEE THE LEVEL OF LIGHT OBSERVE THE VARIETY OF PLANTS Little Some Lots

7 Cooler Medium Warmer FEEL THE TEMPERATURE LISTEN FOR BIRD LIFE Little Some Lots Damper Medium Dryer TOUCH FOR MOISTURE At the end of the walk connect your dots on each graph. Compare the graphs to find out which of the different features follow similar or different patterns. Write your findings here

8 Activity 5: Nature s Rock Art! The rocky headlands around Totaranui are made of granite. They are slowly being broken down by wind and waves to create sand for the amazing beaches here. Draw an interesting outcrop of rock. Emphasise those parts where the waves are most likely to break the outcrop down these are called joints! Now explore the rock pools to find these living things in and around them. Tick those you can find, and draw one of your own discoveries! KINA MUSSEL PERIWINKLE TUATUA LIMPET DRAW YOUR OWN NEPTUNE S NECKLACE CATSEYE ROCK CRAB CUSHION STAR CHITON SEA ANENOME HINT: The quieter you are the more activity you will see in the pools!

9 Activity 6: Be an Animal Detective There are many animals here, but you don t always see them. But often they leave a sign to show they re about. Keep a sharp eye, ear and nose out for signs of animal life. Write or draw the signs you observe, location and if possible, work out what animal made it. Is it a protected species or a pest? Remember plumage (patterns and colours of feathers on a bird), feathers, footprints, sounds, poo and even smells are all signs that help you solve each animal s identity! Signs of animal life Where spotted Animal s name Protected (other than seeing (if known) or pest? the animal)

10 Activity 7: Tree-mendous Totaranui! There is a huge variety of native trees around Totaranui - from ancient rata to giant mamaku ferns, and from nikau palms to regenerating manuka and broadleaf. Find a special tree and really get to know it. HINT: The tracks to Anapai, Waiharakeke, Goat Bay and Pukatea Walk are great places for this activity Sketch your tree s leaves, and any fruit or flowers Make a bark rubbing

11 Describe your tree s special features How tall is the tree? (Imagine how many people would have to stand on top of each other to reach the top) What s happening on the forest floor around your tree - are there any seedlings, insects etc? What birds fly around this tree? (Remember to be patient and quiet) Why did you choose this particular tree? Totaranui, in Maori, means big or many totara. It s one of New Zealand s largest native trees. Today there are only a few totara, as much of the surrounding hills were cleared by European settlers. But now the forest is being allowed to return. Around Totaranui you ll see huge differences in the types of forests as various stages of forest regeneration takes place. This includes canopy height, types of trees and ground cover. In the drawing, circle which type of forest your chosen tree is in. ORIGINAL FOREST CLEARED AREAS GORSE MANUKA KANUKA NATIVE FERNS & SHRUBS FULLY REGENER- ATING FOREST

12 Activity 8: What s in a Name? Maori named many of the places around Totaranui. Each name gives a clue to something special about that place. Use the glossary to work out some of the meaning behind each name. GLOSSARY ANA cave AWA river HARAKEKE flax HAU wind KURA be red/scarlet MARA garden NUI big, many ONE sand PAI good RATA (rata - red flowering tree) RAU - much ROA long RUA two TAHUTI to run along TAKAPAU - floor mat TOTARA (totora is a large native podocarp tree) TONGA - Southern Wind UA rain WAI stream or river WHARANGI (wharangi is a small tree) WHARE(I) house WHARIWHARANGI BAY ANATAKAPAU BAY UARAU POINT ANAPAI BAY WAINUI TOTARANUI WAIHARAKEKE BAY AWAROA INLET ONETAHUTI

13 Activity 9: Between the Tides Estuaries are wonderful places to play and explore. But stay safe: only explore estuaries an hour before, or after, low tide. NEARER HIGH TIDE OR AFTER RAIN ARE NOT SAFE Check the camp notice boards for today s tides enter them here. LOW TIDE HIGH TIDE In the estuary, walk barefoot across some sand or mud for at least 20 steps. How does it feel? (use super-descriptive words!) Look around, draw and describe what you see on the surface. (HINT: look for snails and trails, bird tracks, digging holes and crabs!) Dig a 20cm hole into the mud. Draw and describe some of the animals living here. (Remember to check out all the amazing changing colours and patterns of the sand in the estuary.)

14 Activity 10: Camp Journal Funniest thing that happened Favourite camp-meal I ate and/or cooked Most interesting person I met... because... Strangest sounds heard at night New friends I made (and where they re from) The one thing I wish I d remembered to bring My favourite memories of Totaranui

15 Activity 11: What a Great Walk! Totaranui is on one of New Zealand s Great Walks. Other Great Walks that are famous include walks like the Routeburn, Milford and Tongariro Crossing. Go for a day trip to one of the nearby campsites or huts on the Abel Tasman Track, such as Waiharakeke Bay and Awaroa Hut to the south, and Anapai Bay, Mutton Cove and Whariwhariangi Hut to the north. Circle the things you d want to take if you were on a 3 day trip through this area. jandals water bottle map jeans thermals beach ball ipod sunscreen suitcase food companions pillow lots of books sleeping bag beach ball beach towel parka pets bag to bring out your rubbish best looking clothes Back at the camp office look over the list of NZ Great Walks. Write down one you d like to do, including your reasons why...

16 Activity 12: From Farm to National Park Totaranui hasn t always been part of a national park. In the Camp Office look at the displays and historical photos to discover some of its past life. What activities are different to what s going on at Totaranui today? What activities have not changed? When was Abel Tasman National Park created? This is the anniversary of what important date in New Zealand history? 100 years ago, Totaranui was mostly farmland. Now it is a regenerating forest. Predict what Totaranui might be like in 100 years time. Around the park (and on the Becoming a Kiwi Ranger page in this booklet) you can find out about Project Janszoon, and the work they are doing. Does their work change what you think Abel Tasman National Park will be like in 100 years?

17 Activity 13: Native Birds of Totaranui Totaranui is home to many of New Zealand s native birds! Many have both Maori and English names. How many of the following birds can you find both in the word search and during your walks? U V X M T K F T L C X I Z U D B P Y W H G W G O O E B A N D E D R A I L D H A B R Y M T U K O T U K U U P L R K J K N P U T A N G I T A N G I U R D E G A F M M I R O M I R O C W G G X X V J W A A Y T E D H U O Y H K W O Y Q M M A L T U E R E H C T A C R E T S Y O N K C U D E S I D A R A P B G H V H R C A O K N S R R R A B E W A I D U E K H W N A S U I A U K H J H N D P T A P H I P R H B P R C U I S I S E T R W H Z P J I L U O A A E D N T R I E L G F U K I L N A L W M E G R E B A F S S G Q J E G K B A P I C H R H R W Z G A X S B A T A K A P U R U R E R E K N N A N Q V Z D H R C D X V A R F A N T A I L N B L A C K S H A G M O R E P O R K K F D W O O D P I G E O N T E N B H W G C K T O R E A P A N G O K A M I R O K Ruru - Morepork Hawk - Kahu Karearea - Falcon Bellbird - Korimako Karuhiruhi - Pied shag Gannet - Takapu Putangitangi - Paradise duck Black back gull - Tarapunga Kotuku - White heron Kingfisher - Kotare Piwakawaka - Fantail Banded rail - Mohupereru Kawau - Black shag Tomtit - Miromiro Kereru - Wood pigeon Oystercatcher - Torea pango Shining cuckoo - Pipiwharauroa

18 Becoming a KIWI RANGER It s now time to return to the Camp Office to get your certificate signed and be awarded your KIWI RANGER badge. Just before doing this we d like you to think about something you ll do when you get home that s good for nature and the environment. What I ll do... What will you do now? To receive your badge take your finished booklet to the Totaranui Camp Office ( ), where a ranger will check it and award your badge. You can also post your completed booklet to DOC Golden Bay, PO Box 166 Takaka 7142, and we ll check your booklet and post out your badge. KIWI RANGER has been jointly developed by Mick Abbott and Carli Richter at Shades of Green. Our thanks to Pam and Hugh Mytton, Greg Napp, Sarah Mankelow, Phillipa Gardner, Graeme Ayres and everyone at Totaranui and DOC Golden Bay, and also Devon McLean and Wendy Reeve from Project Janszoon for the great ideas. Thanks also to Joel Bretherton and Lawrence Elliott for the wonderful design work. DID YOU KNOW? 2042 will be the 400th year since Abel Janszoon Tasman arrived in New Zealand. It is also Abel Tasman National Park s 100th birthday. This place is a lot different now than it was long ago. It used to be full of the sound of native birds singing. But human activity changed it fire was used to clear land for farms, trees were cut down and animals hunted. Project Janszoon is working to remove both plant pests that crowd native plants and use up their nutrients, and also animal pests that eat native plants, birds and geckos. Another goal is to bring back kakariki, a native parakeet, and kaka, a noisy parrot. Our hope is that by 2042 we ll be celebrating a park again full of native plants and animals. Find out more at Department of Conservation

19 Explore Aotearoa New Zealand with cut off your certificate here... Tiritiri Matangi Whakatane Footsteps of Toi Te Urewera Ahuriri Estuary Te Āpiti Manawatū Gorge Rimutaka Forest Park Totaranui Nelson Lakes National Park Denniston Paparoa National Park Franz Josef Ōtamahua Quail Island Arthur s Pass National Park Aoraki Mount Cook National Park Mount Aspiring National Park Orokonui Ecosanctuary THANKS! and more on the way... Find out about all the different places with KIWI RANGER programmes at visit kiwiranger.org.nz + tell us about your Kiwi Ranger experience + prize draws + download posters and activities + find out more about each location + nominate your favourite place for Kiwi Ranger + sign up for our monthly newsletter

20 This is to certify... Congratulations! is now a Totaranui KIWI RANGER Signature Date