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Comments 0 | Posted by: Global Administrator,
The 2010 hunting season is off to a great start. Both Sika and red stags are well through the process of stripping velvet from their now hard antlers. The first hunters of the season were three visitors from Australia guided by Neil Philpott. They had a great hunt, seeing some magnificent free range stags with each hunter taking a superb Sika trophy. The great growing conditions have obviously had quite an impact on the quality of the antlers this year.
The biggest of the three trophies was taken by Adam Grgurevic and scored 184 Douglas Score (DS) while Glenn Hutchings trophy measured 171 DS and Tate Walmsley 160 DS. If this early success is any indication it could be one of the best seasons for some years.
Adam Grgurevic
Glenn Hutchings
Tate Walmsley
It is also apparent that the seasons are starting to change with day length shortening and heavy dew turning up most mornings. The stags are already responding to the changes heading away from the open country to mark up territories. It will not be long before the first roars are ringing out across the property!
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Comments 0 | Posted by: Global Administrator,
Hunters attending the SCI convention in Reno shrugged off the economic doom and gloom of 2009 with strong interest shown in most overseas destinations. Visitors battled storms on the West Coast and cancelled flights. While getting to Reno was a problem for some, attendance was up on 2009. Confidence was clearly higher with a great deal of interest in hunts for 2011. With most hunters looking to take wives the search for premium accommodation and alternative activities to hunting was a feature of the show. This was clearly a strong motivating factor behind the growth in interest for Poronui, both for anglers and hunters.
This was the fourth year that Poronui have appeared at the SCI convention. It was great to catch up with old clients who called by to catch up or introduce friends - you know who you are! Providing complimentary New Zealand wine each afternoon was popular and ensured regular visitors to the stand each day! Thanks for all your support - we'll see you back there next year!
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Comments 0 | Posted by: Global Administrator,
The small-scaled skink (Oligosoma microlepis) is an endemic reptile found only in the central North Island of New Zealand. It is listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (ICUN) as threatened and by the New Zealand Department of Conservation as in serious decline. This status is largely due to a lack of information regarding the skink’s distribution and habitat use. The small-scaled skink is unique in that every known population of this species is on private land. The fate of this skink relies on the development of strong relationships between land owners and conservation organisations.
Poronui has one of only three known populations of small-scaled skink in the Tongariro-Taupo region. There is potential for more than one population group to exist within the Poronui boundaries, which means Poronui may represent a stronghold for this species and therefore one of its greatest chances of survival. Poronui is well suited for the skink as it contains many pumice cliffs with loose boulders. These skinks prefer areas with little vegetation as they like to bask in the sun and are capable of scaling steep cliffs with ease. Poronui also has a plentiful supply of manuka beetles, which are a major food source for small-scaled skinks and other reptiles.
The primary objective of the small-scaled skink project being conducted at Poronui this NZ summer is to determine if the skinks still inhabit the areas of New Zealand they were once recorded on, which includes Poronui. We are excited to report that several small-scaled skinks have been found on Poronui since the project began in November 2009, including one that was spotted outside of the known range. The secondary objective is to find new populations within the Tongariro-Taupo region, whilst trialling different techniques for detecting the skinks, which is currently still in progress.
We are thrilled that Poronui will be able to play some small part in the conservation of a native species and we will keep you posted on the progress of the study over time.
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Comments 0 | Posted by: Global Administrator,
Christmas at Poronui officially started with a BBQ last Saturday night. The weather that morning didn't look too promising but as the feast was being prepared by Lisa and her team, the volley ball court was being pegged out, the croquet lawn mowed, the beer chilled and the fires set the sun appeared to showcase Poronui at its very best.
We had a great turn out of staff, guides, neighbours, contractors and friends. For many it was a good opportunity to relax and catch up during the very busy lead up to the festive season. For us it was a time to say thank you to everyone for their contribution to Poronui.
In the early hours of the morning the last of the party-goers bid farewell leaving the night to the embers, the stars and the Morepork owl.
Here are a selection of images:
Steve was handy on the BBQ, cooking the venison to perfection!
Even the kids got into the spirit of the occasion!
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Comments 0 | Posted by: Global Administrator,
The Red Hut on Poronui joined another building on the banks of the Taharua Stream about 1928. It was built to last from native Kauri wood. Unfortunately the original building is no longer there, but the red hut has withstood floods, lightning and many storms. During the 1994 flood it was hard to know which side of the hut the river would ultimately choose to flow past. When the floodwaters receded, the silt from the flood was simply hosed out and the hut was none the worst for wear.
Originally the hut was a rabbiters' camp, and in later years became an outpost for Poronui Station. The Red Hut was used by government deer cullers, hunters, possum trappers, eelers, shepherds, fishers, hikers and even the odd poacher. People came from far and wide to stay at this iconic hut. To quote Tuulla Wall 'every man and his dog has slept there'. The names etched on the walls are testament to the number of people who visited the hut over the years many returning year after year after year. The earliest date above the fireplace is 1934. It oozes history - imagine the stories the walls could tell!
Today it continues to draw many of its old friends to revisit it and continues to provide shelter for fishers, horse riders, hikers and hunters.
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