1. Chairperson's comments
Presented to the New Zealand Conservation Authority pursuant to section 6(0) of the Conservation Act 1987
Predator proof area within Sweetwater
Conservation Covenant where the taiko
Rheineck was nurtured back to health
This year we have dealt with some interesting issues on our Board, and with the help and expertise of my fellow Board Members and Department Staff we have been able to achieve the outcomes required.
This year we have had a large amount of applications for research in the Chatham Islands - the Board supported the majority of these applications. The research interests in the Chathams shows us just how important our natural history, flora and fauna are. Reports on the research are sent to the Board and are available to the public.
I attended the Chairperson's Conference in May; it was very interesting to listen to others talk about their places, what they have of conservation value and the issues they have to deal with. I am sure I could be biased but what we have in the Chathams is so special that we need to be continually looking for ways to conserve what we have and of course be aware that what we have is unique.
This coming year we will have a few changes to our Board, James Moffett our Pitt Island representative will not be continuing as a Board member, James has been on the Board for ten years and has considerable knowledge regarding conservation on our islands. I would personally like to thank James for his contribution and hope that we can still call on him from time to time for advice. James is continuing his role as Chairperson for the Pitt Island Reserves Committee so he will still be in touch with the Board.
Teresa McDonald is also resigning from the Board - Teresa will be missed greatly. She has considerable knowledge of flora and fauna on the Chatham Islands and also has a great knowledge of Chatham Islands history which is imperative when discussing some issues. Thank you Teresa for giving your time to the Board, your wealth of knowledge will truly be missed.
Last year Chris Robertson had two black robin mounted in a display case that he gave to the Chatham Islands community to say thank you for all the support given to him over the past 30 years for work with the albatross. It was a great pleasure for me to accept this wonderful gift on behalf of our community. These birds are on permanent display at the information centre in the Council buildings in Waitangi.
This year the Sweetwater predator proof fence, providing a secure breeding site for Chatham taiko, was officially opened. Many invited guests attended this opening on a perfect day. The members of the Chatham Taiko Trust, volunteers and builders of the fence need to be congratulated on this great achievement. I was fortunate to see a live taiko for the first time this year, this bird was sick and was held in the enclosure; it eventually recovered and fledged.
Our Kaupapa Atawhai Manager, Anaru Luke continues to make visits to the Chathams and is now becoming a well known face on his returns. Thank you Anaru for your work with iwi and the Board. Alex McKillop our Board secretary does an amazing job organizing us all and making sure things run smoothly, thank you Alex for making my job so easy. Thank you to Alison Davis our Area Manager for her continuous support and your ability to put a hand to anything required. Also, thanks to Allan Ross the Wellington Conservator of the Department for being a great sounding board, Peter Johnson (Deputy Chair) for your great knowledge and letter writing skills and finally to my fellow board members, your input, time and energies to make the Chatham Islands are better place for conservation, is greatly appreciated. I would also like to take this opportunity to publicly thank my friends, employers and family for the help and support they give me to allow me to be involved in such organizations which are important to me. I enjoy my role as the Chatham Islands Conservation Board Chairperson and it is due to the above mentioned that makes it possible.
Toni Day
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