In December, NES had the opportunity to participate in a CINHT-led BioBlitz on Mangaia — a fast-paced week of fieldwork, learning, and exploration across some of the island’s most spectacular (and challenging!) environments.
The BioBlitz was led by CINHT specialists, including Gerald McCormack (Director, CINHT), Anthony Wright (Taxonomic Botanist), and Brennan Panzarella (Ecologist). The BioBlitz ran over a two-week period, with Gemma Langley (TIS) and Kas Silk (NES) joining the team for one week. Together, the team covered a wide range of habitats across the island, including makatea forest, caves, wetlands, and inland and coastal zones.
In parallel, Te Manu Tai o te Kūki ʻĀirani seabird monitoring activities were undertaken by the field team, together with NES officer Tangimama Harry and her family. This included acoustic monitoring and equipment servicing. Days were spent moving between survey streams — from plant specimens and seabird acoustics to invertebrate trapping — providing hands-on insight into what biodiversity monitoring looks like on the ground in Pa Enua settings.
Some highlights included:
• Exploring pristine native forest and makatea landscapes, including deep, high-walled crevices that are rarely accessed
• Acoustic monitoring and camera servicing in rugged makatea terrain (with some unexpected wildlife interference!)
• Kayak surveys on Lake Tiriara and low-impact cave exploration
• Plenty of practical learning around survey methods, equipment durability, and what works best in real field conditions
• Strong collaboration with Mangaia tangata enua and the support of the local NES representative and her whānau
While the BioBlitz was a valuable learning experience, it also contributed to national biodiversity knowledge through photo vouchers, specimen records, and baseline monitoring that will support ongoing work and inform the draft National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).
Overall, the week reinforced the value of BioBlitz-style activities as a practical and enjoyable way to build skills, strengthen partnerships, and improve biodiversity coverage across the Pa Enua.
Meitaki ma‘ata to CINHT, Te Manu Tai o te Kūki ʻĀirani partners, and the Mangaia community for the warm support, shared knowledge, and generous hospitality
