Grass greener for takahē

Date:  28 April 2009

Not all sponsorships are running short as retail sales retract.

At Mitre 10, the combination of sales from a kids art calendar and a range of NZ native grasses have led to a cheque for over $55,000 made out to the Department of Conservation for their takahē recovery efforts throughout New Zealand.

Mitre 10 boosts takahē recovery efforts

Mitre 10 CEO Craig Wilson made the cheque presentation, taking time out of his South Island tour to ‘inspect’ the Takahē Rescue programme. 

Mitre 10 have been sponsoring the programme for over four years – making it one of the longest running species sponsorship programmes in conservation history. 

Phil Tisch, head of Takahē Recovery for the Department of Conservation, says he is "blown away" by the surprise cheque that comes on top of the annual Mitre 10 sponsorship.

“The extra funds will provide a welcome boost to recovery efforts at Mana, Tiritiri, Maud and Kapiti islands.

“We have breeding pairs located at each of these islands and each year we return any young chicks back to the wild in Murchison Mountains, Fiordland. First they have to acclimatise by wintering over at our Burwood facility on the outskirts of Te Anau,” said Mr Tisch.

A critically endangered takahē

"The cost of running the logistical exercise, which includes quarantine and disease risk screening, is expensive and yet it is vital to have small populations of takahē scattered as a precaution against any outbreak – of disease or pests.”

The donation support is particularly needed as the takahē population was dealt a savage blow by a spate of stoat attacks in 2007.

Paula Arblaster, Brand and Strategy Manager, Mitre 10, says she is grateful for the support of Mitre 10 customers in purchasing the Takahē Rescue products over the year.

The Takahē Rescue range of NZ native grasses has continued to be a great favourite for gardeners and landscapers.

The children’s art calendar, showing top entries from the takahē art competition, has also been popular. 

“Selling the calendar is part of achieving our aim to inspire and educate children about this iconic native species,” she said. 

“We get so much feedback from the children about their excitement at being in the calendar and some have also started their own fundraising activities at their schools.”

The overall total for takahē from Mitre 10 this year will now be $125,000.