Matakohe Island #5: I'm not that Board (Whangarei) Traditional Cache

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Hidden : 1/30/2016
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

I found a sliver through here....
A quick find hanging around on the board walk

Off to your right you will find a Roosting area for the Shore Birds....
Please do not go into this area as it is sectioned off for them
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Motu Matakohe, also known as Matakohe or Limestone Island, is a 37 ha (100 acre) island in the upper reaches of Whangarei Harbour, just off Onerahi, a seaside suburb of the city of Whangarei, Northland, New Zealand. Used for farming and industry for many years, the island is an example of ecological island restoration by a volunteer community group.
(visit link)

Tracks (see also Island Map)
There are several walking tracks around and across the island. Please use them rather than walking ‘cross-country’. The main paddock (facing up-harbour) has mown strips down it which are part of the rat/mouse control programme – they can double as walking tracks if you wish, but please do not disturb the bait stations.

There are two large map signs showing the tracks – one at the landing point below the old Manager’s house ruins and the other as you leave the all tide pontoon and enter the cement mill ruins. The tracks themselves are mostly unsigned. A walk around the beach circuit of the entire island takes about 1.5 hours.

All but the beach tracks are unformed grass tracks, which can be slippery when wet and are sometimes muddy. Tracks vary in grade and reasonable footwear and fitness is required.

Parts of tracks are beach walks, some of which are not passable at high tide. The beach track facing up-harbour is especially prone to high tide blockage. However one can easily take the parallel track just above the fenceline in the main paddock. Beach tracks around the headland facing Onerahi, and the beach track on the far side of the cement ruins, are not so prone to blockage but when they are, one must backtrack and take a track over the main ridge.
For the track at the sandspit end of the island, please use the boardwalk rather than the beach, as the sandspit is an area set aside as a sea-bird resting and breeding area.

Toilets (see also Island Map)
There are two composting toilets on the island for use by the public, one 20m uphill from the old Manager’s house ruins, the other in the cement mill ruins area on the other side of the island (close to Singlemens Quarters building). As these are composting toilets, it is important nothing be placed in them which cannot rot away.

Water
There is no potable water supply on the island. You are advised to bring you own drinking water.

There is a water tap in the toilet cubicle at the cement mill ruins, but this is collected from the roof and drinking it is at your own risk. There is also roof-collected water available at the Ranger’s residence adjacent to the old Manager’s house ruins. Use it sparingly and please make sure it is turned off after use. As courtesy, make your presence known if the Ranger is about.

Rubbish (Pack it In - Pack it Out)
There are no rubbish facilities on the island whatsoever. So please, take all empty bags, wrappers and empty bottles back to the mainland with you. There are bins on the roadway at the top of the main Onerahi boat ramp and at the end of the gangway from the Onerahi jetty/pontoon.

What NOT to bring!

Matakohe-Limestone Island is pest free. This means we have no pests such as mice, rats, stoats, weasels, possums or Argentine ants. This has been achieved with a lot of hard work, dedication, and investment and allows special native species including lizards and kiwi, to live and thrive on the island (follow the links below for more information on the threats these pests pose to native species). Because of this, we need all visitors to be very careful about what comes on to the island with them.
There aren’t likely to be any possums or stoats hiding in your backpack, but when you visit please check your boat, kayak, gear, bags, picnic and pockets for any:

Mice and other rodents

Mice and rats eat native insects, lizards and birds, as well competing with native species for food. You would be suprised at where they can hide so make sure you check even if you think you are mouse free!
Ants

Argentine ants are one of the worlds most invasive and problematic ant species. We fortunately don't have any on the island but there are colonies all over Whangarei, including the suburb of Onerahi just across the water from the island. Ants can very easily stow away in the bottom of backpacks, in the hull of a kayak or in amongst the fishing tackle so please check your bags and boats carefully, especially if they haven't been used in a while. You can read more ore about Argentine Ants on the DoC website.
Rainbow skinks

The island has an amazing variety of native lizards now thanks to the re-introductions but one we definitely don't want is the invasive rainbow skink from Australia. It is widespread on the mainland and is a threat to our rare native lizards. You can read more about Rainbow Skinks on the DoC website.
No dogs

Because kiwi have a very strong scent and a fragile skeleton, any dog can easily find and kill kiwi. Dogs also pose a major threat to the shore bird chicks on the island. Please leave your pets at home.

You can also check out our island Care Code for other ways to look after the island and its special things.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Haqre

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
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N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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