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Chinese Forest Owners visit Coroglen Forest

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August 12, 2025

Coroglen Forest owners China Forest Group met with Kapowai Kiwi Group and Operation Nest Egg.

China Forest Group participants – Mrs Suli Yang General Manger, Mr Yihang Liu Deputy General Manager, Mr Xngzheng Deputy General Manager, Mr Yue Dong (Andy) Forestry Operations Director, Mrs Jing Wang, IMD Department Manager – with members of the Kapowai Kiwi Group.

BY DAVID INNES

Kapowai Kiwi Group [KKG], established in 2002, traps 3000 hectares in Coroglen and Whenuakite for kiwi predators, stoats and weasels and rats, and has been successful in slightly increasing kiwi numbers over the last 20 years. The projected release of kiwi raised under the auspices of Operation Nest Egg [ONE] will ramp up kiwi numbers substantially.

Three fifths of KKG area of operations is in Coroglen Forest. This forest like others in NZ has passed through the hands of several owners before the current owners, China Forest Group [CFG].

Last year CFG took over direct management of the forest from previous NZ managers. Through the work of CFG forest Operations Manager, Mr Andy Dong they contacted KKG and asked to visit Coroglen Forest with KKG to see for themselves the conservation work of KKG.

Mr Dong has previously worked for World Wildlife Fund in China and elsewhere, protecting tigers snow leopards, and panda, he speaks flawless English and so was an ideal person to liaise with.

The visit was arranged for 30 July with plans to walk a trapline in the bush and then drive one of the 4WD tracks in the forest where traps are laid.

CFG were not deterred by the weather forecast for heavy rain and indicated that they would visit on that date whatever the weather.

Two ute loads of senior managers

So, on 30 July, two ute loads of senior managers from CFG plus a small press contingent arrived late but in good order after an enforced large detour due to a slip on the Kopu-Hikuwai Rd. Amazingly, the weather after midday was fine, sunny and warm.

A small KKG. contingent welcomed CFG. at 112 Rangihau Rd with very important support from Paula Judd of ONE who supplied wonderful slides of trained kiwi dogs locating male kiwi, egg lifting, young and adult kiwi, and gave a presentation on ONE.

KKG gave a brief presentation on their work which Mr Dong translated into Mandarin. The high lights for the CFG group were a photo of a stoat and a fresh dead possum.

Our group from CFG were of mixed ability and experience so required some assistance in the bush but all moved very briskly.

The bush was fresh and green after rain, the Kapowai river was raised and the current strong. The bush rang with Mandarin as the group chattered among themselves. Periodically we came to DOC 200 traps which we cleared and reset with fresh eggs.

After 40 minutes we returned to the vehicles and drove to a nearby locked forest gate. The 4WD track thus accessed was recently set up as an extra trap line. The clay track was sparsely metaled, steep in places and with partial blocks from tree falls so CFG certainly needed their 4WD utes. Again traps were cleared and reset and CFG got an example of the trapping work required in semi-mature pine forest. 40 minutes later we all emerged on to SH 25 and CFG set out on the long trip via the detour back to Auckland.

CFG learnt of the extensive work done by a volunteer group in their forest.

KKG learnt that some Chinese foresters care very much how they are seen by New Zealanders, want to be good citizens, and want to do what they can to preserve the NZ environment.

KKG acknowledges support from WRC, WWF, Project Kiwi and Pub Charity.