Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board Award

'Te Waka o Aoraki' is awarded annually by the Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board to recognise and encourage conservation efforts and achievements in Canterbury.

2011 winners announced!

Weed control won out over trapping and solid waste disposal projects when the Ohau Conservation Trust was awarded the Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board Award by Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson last night.

The award was presented at a small ceremony as part of this year's Conservation Week celebrations with the theme 'Show you love New Zealand'.

"I am always in awe of the dedication and commitment shown by conservation groups around the country and so it is a pleasure to be able to acknowledge the work of the Ohau Conservation Trust," said Kate Wilkinson.

Running for nearly seven years and involving around 40 people, members of the trust have devoted themselves to caring for and raising awareness about this special landscape.

"Enthusiasm is our main weapon," says Ohau Conservation Trust member John Smithies.

"The region is in the midst of change wrought by the pressure of land use intensification…The bright spot [in all this change] can be seen in the Ohau valley and there is no doubt that in fair measure that bright spot can be attributed to the work of the Community Groups, particularly Ohau Conservation Trust."

The group's main focuses are wildling conifer eradication, briar eradication and planting natives on conservation land.

'Te Waka o Aoraki'

Te Waka o Aoraki

• 'Te Waka o Aoraki' is awarded to groups or individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to conservation in Canterbury.
• The award is presented during Conservation Week.
• 'Te Waka o Aoraki' trophy is carved from rimu and features a large pounamu river stone. The carving represents Ngāi Tahu history and whakapapa, and the links between people and the natural world..

Projects are judged on:

• Maintainance and enhancement of natural, historic and cultural resources
• Protection of native species and habitat
• Sustainability - long term goals
• Encouragement of indigenous biodiversity
• Local, regional or national significance
• Commitment
• Leadership and involvement
• Value to conservation

Previous winners

2010 - Shireen and Francis Help's natural affection for kororā / white flippered penguins earned them Award in 2010. Their project spans the last twenty years and is a perfect example of how farming and conservation can go hand in hand.

2009 - The Ashley/Rakahuri Rivercare Group for their work to protect the indigenous braided river birds and their habitats in the Ashley/Rakahuri riverbed.

2008 - The South Canterbury Branch of the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand for their work in protecting and enhancing biodiversity values at Conways Bush Reserve, at Woodbury, near Geraldine.

2007 - Joint winners - the Isaacs Wildlife Trust for their breeding programmes for kākāriki / orange-fronted parakeet and kakī / black stilt and Robin Judkins of Coast to Coast fame, for his work trapping stoats in Arthur's Pass National Park.

2006 - Arthur's Pass Community Volunteers for their predator-trapping project to help protect great-spotted kiwi / roroa.

2005 - Joint winners - The Mackenzie Alpine Trust for their efforts in recreation and Jim and Maryanne Morris of Ben Avon Station for involvement in black stilt / kakī conservation.

2004 - Joint winners - Arowhenua Marae for their long-term restoration of Awarua Creek and wetland next to the marae, and Project Port Lyttelton Inc. for restoration of an 1874 Historic Magazine building.

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