Help! Can you help us to help the Hawke’s Bay skink?

We’re reaching out to you to ask whether you’d be able to share any resources that can help improve the habitat of a population of rare Hawke’s Bay skinks that was recently discovered on a private property at Waipawa.

By now, you have probably read about the find. The Hawke’s Bay skink is listed as ‘nationally endangered’ in the Department of Conservation’s threat ranking due to the small numbers of mature individuals.  The skink had previously lived throughout our region, but habitat loss and predation has meant that current populations were only known within the protective boundaries of Cape Sanctuary. This makes the Waipawa discovery really exciting!

Fortunately for the Waipawa-based skinks, they’re living at a location where the landowners are really supportive. The Hossack family were delighted to find the skinks and are keen to ensure they thrive.

Can you help? Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay is asking for donations of materials that can be used to improve the habitat, the area outlined in red in the photo for the skinks, providing more hiding places, food sources and protection from predators. Could you donate any of the following?

• Skink-friendly plants that are suitable for clay soil (lots of suggestions here)
• Time and tools to clear the adjacent area (allowing more room for plants, and to place traps)
• Wooden trapping tunnels suitable for mouse traps
• Resources and time to fence around the area to keep out everything from rat size and upwards
• Funds to cover any of these items

Please get in touch with Biodiversity Co-ordinator Belinda Sleight at community@biodiversityhb.nz with any offers of help and resources. She will coordinate donations and will be in touch with plans for a working bee in the future.

9 November 2023

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