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New Kiwi Education Resource for Schools
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Auckland Zoo provided the backdrop. The Minister of Conservation did the honours. And the Bank of New Zealand Kiwi Recovery Trust produced the goods at last November’s launch of a fantastic new education resource all about kiwi. |
The kit recognises that education is at the heart of all conservation. To that end, it aims to strengthen the connection between school children and New Zealand’s national bird, and develop their sense of responsibility for the kiwi’s survival. “We want the kit to make a difference to how Kiwi kids feel about kiwi birds so that they are prepared to take action and do what they can to ensure the species’ survival,” says Executive Director for the Trust, Michelle Impey. “It’s an exciting challenge, and an important one.”
So far, things are looking good. Michelle says about five new requests for kits flow in every day, and by mid January 130 packs had gone out to schools all around New Zealand.
The kit, called Kiwi Forever – Kiwi Mo Ake Tonu Atu, was developed over 12 months by education experts, for the Trust. An important aim was for the kit to reflect New Zealand’s culture, Michelle says. “‘It is bilingual, in both English and Maori. And it encourages children to think about our national bird by presenting information as a unique blend of western science, environmental education and traditional Maori knowledge.
To ensure it is widely used and relevant, the kit has been designed to be as flexible as possible. It suggests study concepts and provides background information so that teachers can build their own learning programme that suits their students’ needs. “We want to allow students to explore and develop understandings about the kiwi, the environment and the importance of both to the people of this land,” Michelle says.
See next page for ordering details
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New Faces on the Bank of New Zealand Kiwi Recovery Trust
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Three new faces were sitting around the table at the Trust’s annual meeting last November.
The Trust farewelled Nicola Patrick of the Department of Conservation (DOC) and Andrew Whitechurch of the Bank of New Zealand. |
Pictured from left to right: Chris Black, Peter Douglas-Bell, Richard Allen, Michelle Impey, Hugh Logan, Paul Jansen, John McLennan, Ruud Kleinpaste (front row).
Taking their places are Harry Broad, of DOC’s Senior Relationship Management Office, and Chris Black, Acting General Manager Marketing, Distribution and Strategy. Harry and Chris join existing trustees Peter Thodey (Managing Director of the Bank of New Zealand), Hugh Logan (Director General of the Department of Conservation), Dr John McLennan (kiwi expert) and Rudd Kleinpaste (media personality, entomologist and conservationist).
The third new face was Michelle Impey, the recently appointed Executive Director of the Trust. Michelle hails from Canada, and has been in New Zealand since 2002.
“New Zealand is my chosen home; I’ve fallen in love with the place and it’s a dream to be in a job that connects me with both the land and with the incredible people throughout the country who are working so hard to save the kiwi.”
Michelle’s goal is four million New Zealanders who care about their national bird’s plight. “We have populations that could become extinct within 15 years, so action now is crucial.”
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A Kiwi Helping to Save Kiwi
– Steve Sawyer of the Whinray Ecological Charitable Trust
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There’s something about kiwi, says Steve Sawyer. Though feisty, these species are also extremely vulnerable, and they need our help.
“I’m really passionate about protecting and restoring kiwi, particularly in our region.” |
That region is Gisborne-East Coast in the North Island and it’s where Steve is putting his passion into practice as chairman of the Whinray Ecological Charitable Trust.
The Trust was formed at the beginning of the new century, sparked by a steep decline in the number of brown kiwi in the area. Worried that the Department of Conservation (DOC) did not have the resources needed, Steve got the local Motu and Matawai communities together. Within 24 hours a Trust Board was formed.
“We focused on the Motu area because it still had a small but relatively intact brown kiwi population in the nearby Whinray Scenic Reserve, so we had a chance to make a difference. We are lucky that because the reserve was protected in 1905, its podocarp-hardwood forest is pristine.”
The Trust is working to protect and enhance all the area’s threatened species (which include North Island weka, whio (blue duck) and long tailed bats), as well as to educate people about nature conservation. “It provides a way for the local community and private landowners to work alongside DOC and corporate sponsors such as the Bank of New Zealand. And it gives us a way to raise independent money.
“It works really well because the local community is extremely supportive.” Not to mention Steve’s wife Robyn. “She works tirelessly on Trust work, as well as raising our two boys and helping me run a business. I couldn't do it without her.”
Although only five years old, the Whinray Ecological Charitable Trust has already notched up some significant achievements toward its aim of expanding kiwi populations between Mahia and Te Araroa back to their historic range.
A team of eight volunteers currently monitors kiwi in Whinray Reserve every week for nine months of the year, some driving more than 160 kilometres. Their work shows that brown kiwi numbers have risen from about 12 birds to more than 19. Thanks to $110,000 raised by the Trust last year, a predator-proof kiwi creche is being built on land donated by Dan and Jane Griffin, and a $250,000 kiwi conservation centre will be built next door. The site will also include a wetland and locals are growing native trees for the replanting project. The Trust has also raised $40,000 for trapping equipment which is hired to the local community. Steve stepped up his work with kiwi in 1999. With his trained kiwi dog, Bo, he has travelled the length of the country from Fiordland to Whakatane to help out on kiwi projects and considers himself lucky to have worked with kiwi experts including DOC’s Hugh Robertson and Rogan Colbourne, and John MacLennan, a Bank of New Zealand Kiwi Recovery Trustee.
Before kiwi, he worked with a large number of threatened bird species, including black robin, royal albatross, kokako and taiko. “It’s true to say though, that kiwi hold a special fascination for me. They are unique, feisty, extremely well adapted, but extremely vulnerable at the same time.”
Steve says one of the best advocates for kiwi conservation is the birds themselves. “People aren't always passionate about kiwi because they never get to see one or be involved with a conservation programme. Once you get them involved with kiwi, particularly the kids, people can't help but get passionate about them. This is such a special bird.”
Proof of this is his team of volunteers. “These are mainly guys from a farming background, either shepherds or station managers, and it has been amazing to see them learn and get passionate about kiwi.”
The site will be centred around 'Bacon' the kiwi, fondly named after Kiwi Bacon in recognition of their sponsorship. The site kicks off with a fantastic competition where kids can design a new label for Kiwi Bacon to help spread the message to save kiwi.