Twenty years ago, a group of Whangapoua landowners decided they could achieve more for the bush and birds by working together than alone. This year, the Mana Manu Trust celebrated its 20th birthday.
Mana Manu Trust landowners and supporters celebrating 20 years of working together
Past and present landowners, volunteers and supporters gathered to mark the milestone and look ahead. The name Mana Manu was supported at the time by kaumātua Lucien Mangakahia, so it was extra special to have Wanda Brljevich join us and share some of the history of Ngāti Huarere ki Whangapoua.
"Our volunteers do amazing work, and we enjoy the social link the trust gives us," says chair Mary Hamilton.
The trust was formed in 2006 to coordinate pest control across the coastal forest and wetlands around Whangapoua Harbour, between Te Rerenga and Whangapoua. With neighbouring land recently added, it now covers about 330 hectares.
The results are clear to see. In the early 2000s, kohekohe trees were dying back from possum browsing. Today they are healthy, spreading and providing a vital winter nectar source for native birds. Landowners are noticing more birdlife, and this year a kiwi was caught on one of our cameras.
We hope kiwi will one day set up permanent territories here, but cats and roaming dogs remain a threat.
None of this would be possible without the support of Waikato Regional Council, WWF, DOC, Powerco and our other sponsors plus the Predator Free Hauraki Coromandel Community Trust, who have helped us build tracks and carry out baiting, trapping and weed control. Thank you – here's to the next 20 years.
Adapted from an article by Meg for the Matarangi News, July 2026.