Things are looking up for the Kiwi in Northland

NZ KIWI FOUNDATION
CHARITABLE TRUST
P.O. Box 541
Kerikeri
Northland 0470

PRESS RELEASE

“Things are looking up for the Kiwi in Northland,” said Greg Blunden, convenor of the NZ Kiwi Foundation Charitable Trust at the Trusts’s recent Annual General Meeting.

“Enthusiasm and momentum is high and we are starting to see tangible results – more kiwi, more pet-free subdivisions, more support from local government, and critically, more people wanting kiwi to survive and prosper.”

He named corporates which are supporting the concept of land management for kiwi as well, businesses such as Kauri Cliffs, Top Energy, Mataka Station, Paoneone Farm, COSAD Exporting, Mountain Landing Company, Far North District Council, Juken NZ and Bellingham Quarries. He also praised Scottronic Technologies who are the Foundation’s principal sponsor.

“Individual landowners have contributed not only donations but also the availability of quad bikes, time and energy.

He added that a large part of his time is spent on funding applications, and on completing report as to where the funds have been spent.

“Fewer but larger applications are obviously more efficient,” he said.

The Trust was successful in its application to the Biodiversity Condition Fund for trapping on not-legally protected land ($50,000 over two years) and $135,000 over three from the same fund for trapping on legally protected land , both central government funds helping private landowners improve indigenous biodiversity.

The Trust has also received funding for advocacy.

As well as the Bank of New Zealand’s Kiwi Recovery Trust funding, other contributions have come via the QEII National Trust. These have enabled the NZ Kiwi Foundation to develop integrated pest management plans for various blocks. They can now identify all trap-lines and bait stations through GPS units, which he reported made record-keeping and data recording out in the bush most efficient.

“The really exciting part is that we are getting close to joining the Kerikeri, Purerua, Takou Bay, and Kauri Cliffs kiwi projects,” he said, “and there are more than a dozen projects growing and starting up around other parts of Northland.”

“Things are looking better for Kiwi in this part of the country.”

ENDS

© Scoop Media