News/Events/Press

Visits to Hauraki Gulf Marine Park - Jan 2005

Islands in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park were a focus for the Foundation over January 2005. Two couples who had successfully bid for trips to Little Barrier at the 5 August 2004 Conservation Week function took advantage of the fine weather and had fabulous days.

Mark Douglas Smith, Weta Water reckoned his overnight stay on Little Barrier was a wonderful tonic and it was especially fascinating getting up close with tuatara's and, of course, giant weta's - ' what a way to put city life back into perspective," said Mark at the end of the trip.

Later in the month a small group of media and sponsors shared a day at Little Barrier experiencing the habitat that is now lost from our mainland. It was a case of third time lucky, as two previous trips had had to be cancelled due to weather.

Foundation sponsors are always welcome to participate in such special trips. The organization required to undertake these trips does however mean that only one or two can be considered in a year. Over 50 people were invited to Little Barrier and on the final day only 17 could attend. This is a huge focus and we are always careful to ensure that the outcome of the trip leads to conservation gains whether through publicity or a level of enthusiasm that can translate to additional sponsorship. " Without continuing to build sponsor relationships and refresh them from time to time with trips and events such as this enduring business relationships and the continuation of funding can slip away." says executive director Jane Arnott.

A small group of Dawn Chorus supporters joined with Trustees Hon Denis Marshall QSO and Stuart Henderson in visiting Tiritiri Matangi where Prime Minister RT Hon Helen Clark launched the Stitchbird Recovery Plan. The Foundation was on hand to then kickoff the initial stitchbird survey work with a cheque of $18,500 enabling researcher Troy Makem to gain valuable information on the stitchbird breeding and territoriality.