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SOS: Saving South Island Species

Two dollar collectible cards depicting six endangered New Zealand native bird species were unveiled at a special function in Christchurch on February 9th.

The SOS cards, which will be sold through New World South Island supermarkets from 12 February as part of the Save our Species fundraising campaign, mark a turning point in the fortunes of several conservation projects that are desperate for funds.

A partnership between New World supermarkets in the South Island and Air New Zealand, Save our Species offers a positive response to the increasing numbers of native New Zealand bird species that are struggling to survive.

The New Zealand National Parks and Conservation Foundation, the strategic partner to DOC in conservation fundraising, has co-ordinated the development of the campaign and managed the production of materials.

Bugman, birdman and TV and radio host Ruud Kleinpaste is a spokesperson for the campaign.

All partners are excited at the prospect of enabling New Zealanders to actively support New Zealand's wildlife with a small donation that can be added on their grocery purchases. Air New Zealand Koru Club members will also find the cards with a honesty box in main centre Koru Lounges.

"New Zealanders see the preservation of native bird species as a number one conservation priority, and we are proud to help make a difference through this campaign," says Air New Zealand General Manager Marketing Steve Bayliss.

Margaret Bright, Marketing manager New World confirms  that New World operators across the South Island have welcomed the campaign because it reflects the views and values of their customers.

The six species selected for the SOS campaign are Great Spotted Kiwi, South Island Kaka, Rock Wren, Yellowhead, South Island Saddleback and Orange-Fronted Parakeet.

A free poster portraying the habitats of the birds, which collectors can apply their SOS cards to, will be available for a limited period at all South Island New Worlds.

For more information please contact:

Jane Arnott, Executive director New Zealand National Parks and Conservation Foundation - 03 355 8248, 03 355 1466, 0274 715 785

Sam Coxhead, Air New Zealand - 09 336 2674

Margaret Bright New World -  03 353 8848

Save our Species:

1.     Orange -Fronted Parakeet. Only 100-250 birds exist.

Orange fronted parakeet are small forest dwelling birds. They are bright green with blue feathers along the outer edge of the wing and a small orange mark above their beak. Classified as nationally critically the species has a high risk of extinction with only 100-200 birds in the wild.The four known remaining populations are all in beech forests of upland valleys within Arthurs Pass National Park and Lake Sumner Forest Park in Canterbury.

2.     Rock Wren - unknown

The dainty rock-wren inhabits alpine and subalpine rockfalls and crevices, and is in need of increased management to ensure its survival. The bird is found in the South Island on exposed slopes of the Southern Alps among rocks above the forest line. It is a tiny bird without a tail. The male is a yellowish green in colour on the back and the female is a rusty brown on the back.

3.     Great Spotted Kiwi. Only 10,000- 12,000 birds exist.

The great spotted kiwi is the largest of the kiwi species. It is found in the South Island in Nelson, Westland and Canterbury mostly in the high country. The female only lay one egg per nest, in order to conserve energy for survival in the cold weather. Unlike all the other kiwi species the chick stays in the burrow for up to a year after hatching.

4 Yellowhead Mohua  Only 2000-3000 exist.

The yellowhead or mohua is a small insect eating bid which lives only in the forests of New Zealand's South Island. A beautiful splash of bright yellow covers its head and breast while the rest of the body is brown. In the 1800's the mohua was one of the most abundant and conspicuous of our forest birds. Now it is the most threatened of its genus and its decline is ongoing.\

5. South Island Saddleback

The saddleback or tieke belongs to New Zealand's unique wattlebird family an ancient group which includes the kokako and the extinct huia. The saddleback is noticed by the chestnut coloured saddle marking on its back and te same colouring on the tip of its tail along with fleshy coloured wattles either side of its throat.

6. South Island Kaka

The kaka is a large parrot belonging to the nestorinae family a group that includes the kea and the extinct Norfolk Island kaka. The kaka is mainly brown in colour and is known as the brown parrot. The kaka is a forest dwelling parrot which spends most of the day high up in trees. However as the South Island beech forest lacks an abundance of flowering native trees the South Island kaka relies on drops of honeydew from tree trunks and branches for its main energy source. The kaka has a tongue tipped with bristles which is an adaptation for nectar feeding.

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