Southland Conservation Awards 2010

The Southland Conservation Awards recognise the valuable contribution businesses, individuals and organisations make to conservation in Southland.

Our awards are about celebrating Southland's greatest point of difference - our people and their 'can-do' attitude. We celebrate Southlanders who have shown how much they love New Zealand and who work hard to conserve and protect the special things that make our country unique.

We love you New Zealand

Thank you to all the finalists for their dedication and commitment to conservation.

2010 Award recipients

This year's award recipients are:

Richard Henry Conservation Award for Southland Schools - Halfmoon Bay School, Stewart Island/Rakiura for their research into the decline of yellow-eyed penguins/hoiho and their focus on Stewart Island's environment. Both projects have lead to promotion of conservation at national levels.

Individual Services to Conservation Award - Alistair Jukes for his dedication and innovative designs that have significantly benefited pest control methods. Alistair's tireless enthusiasm as a keen conservationist lead to the development of two innovative tools which assist trappers in their task.

Community Conservation Award - Bluff Hill/Motupōhue for their commitment and persistence in creating a comprehensive network of traps and bait stations covering Bluff Hill/ Motupōhue and their success in reducing rat, stoat and possum numbers. The trust has also encouraged their wider community to get involved by volunteering and sponsoring operating costs.

Corporate Conservation Award - Rio Tinto Alcan New Zealand Limited for their commitment to conservation through the Kākāpō Recovery Programme. The partnership behind the programme is the longest standing conservation partnership the department has been involved with and 2010 marks its 20th anniversary. Not only has financial support been given but generous in-kind support has been offered with staff from the Tiwai Point Alumnium Smelter involved with volunteering programmes and highly skilled smelter engineers and technicians assisting the department with power schemes and infrastructure work. Since the partnership was formed, the kakapo population has risen from 49 birds in 1990 to 122 in 2010.

Conservation Champion - Michael Skerrett who has demonstrated an outstanding level of commitment to conservation in Southland. As Kaupapa Taio Manager for Te Ao Marama Michael works in Resource Management and engages with many local authorities during the course of his work.

Michael is also Upoko and Kaiwhakahaere of Waihopai runaka.

Each April Michael heads to the Titi Islands to harvest Titi/Muttonbird, and is a member of both the Rakiura Titi Islands Administering Body and the Rakiura Titi Island Committee.

About the awards and sponsors

The Richard Henry Award for Southland Schools

This award is kindly sponsored by Glowing Sky.

Schools are nominated by Department of Conservation staff because they have been involved in a meaningful and sustainable initiative with clear evidence of student learning and progress. They may also have been actively engaged with the department during their conservation project.

Finalists:

• Halfmoon Bay School, Stewart Island/Rakiura
• Bluff Community School

The Individual Services to Conservation Award

This award is kindly sponsored by New Zealand Aluminium Smelters.

Individuals are nominated by Department of Conservation staff and consideration is given to how much time, effort and resources the nominee has put into conservation projects, personal sacrifices made and involvement with the department.

Finalists:

• Les Hoffman
• Steve and Val Hill
• Alistair Jukes
• Cathy Macfie
• Rachel Cockburn
• John Southerwood and Graeme Metzger

Volunteers check and bait traps on
Bluff Hill / Motupōhue

The Services to Conservation with Communities Award

This award is kindly sponsored by the Community Trust of Southland.

Community groups are nominated by department staff with consideration given to the following principles:

• Does the project promote conservation values to the community?
• What are the opportunities for ongoing community involvement?
• Has the project achieved a positive conservation outcome for the natural and historic heritage of the Southland region and its people?
• Involvement with the department
• Biodiversity values of the project
• Long term vision of the project and its benefits to future generations
• Significance of the project - local, regional, national, international

Finalists:

• Pomona Island Charitable Trust
• Kepler Challenge Committee
• Bluff Hill / Motupōhue Environment Trust
• Winton Rotary Club

The Corporate Conservation Award

Through the support of Peregrine Wines,
South Island saddleback / tieke are now
thriving on a number of off-shore islands
in Fiordland

This award is kindly sponsored by E. Hayes and Sons Limited.

Businesses are nominated by department staff, who take into consideration the involvement with, or contribution to, conservation, including the community conservation initiatives that the business supports.

Finalists:

• Southern Discoveries
• Fiordland Lobster Company
• Chalkydigits
• Peregrine Wines
• Rio Tinto Alcan New Zealand Limited
• Mitre 10 Takahē Rescue

Conservation Champion Award

This award is kindly sponsored by Real Journeys.

This special award, presented at the discretion of the Conservator, is for an individual who has demonstrated an outstanding level of commitment and dedication to conservation, and whose efforts will benefit future generations. Maintaining and enhancing the natural and cultural resources of Southland is of significant benefit to the community, and for the long term future of conservation in this special region.

back to top