Date:  11 October 2017

Conservation Week runs from 14-22 October and this year the DOC is trying to get people to convert their love of nature into action.

“We know that the vast majority of New Zealanders (85%*) rate conservation as important to them personally, yet still only about one in ten have actively helped on a conservation project,” says Acting Operations Manager for Hawke’s Bay Kelly Conway.

“We want to show people that conservation can be done in your own back yard, gardens, parks and marine areas. Even small actions make a big difference.”

“Our predator-free vision of ridding the country of rats, stoats and possums by 2050 starts in your own backyard.  It’s great to see momentum gathering as more communities band together to make their own areas predator free.”

Ms Conway says there are plenty of Conservation Week activities to show people how easy and fun it is to get involved.

“Getting out and taking care of our nature also has the added benefit of improving health and wellbeing, so it’s win-win,” says Ms Conway.

“It’s great to see DOC’s partners also getting involved in Conservation Week. This includes Genesis, who are encouraging kids to take part in a national competition with its Whio Boot Camp online game. As well as being fun, the game teaches players how a whio lives in the wild, eating, running rapids and hopefully avoiding predators.

“Toyota New Zealand are also getting involved. Our Toyota Kiwi Guardians programme connects kids with nature and rewards them with medals. Conservation Week marks the launch of our new waterways clean-up medal, Toa Tiaki Wai.”

Check out www.conservationweek.org.nz for ideas.

Hawke’s Bay Conservation Week events 

• Wednesday October 11 to Sunday October 22: Toyota Kiwi Guardian: Meet a Kiwi Competition will be based at the White Pine Bush Scenic Reserve at 2445 State Highway 2.

• Sunday October 15: Geocaching 101 – learn how to play this modern-day game of hide-and-seek at Conservation House on Marine Parade from 2 pm.

• Wednesday October 18: Six new kākā will be released at Boundary Stream Mainland Island at 10.30 am for an 11 am kickoff.

• Thursday October 19 and Friday October 20: DOC will have a bivi at the A&P Show in Hastings. While there, people can also see what DOC has been up to with the Cape to City and Poutiri Ao ō Tāne collaborative projects.
• Over the course of the week people can tune into Radio Kidnappers, at 1431 AM or 104.7 FM, between 8.30 and 9 am to see what else DOC is up to in the Hawke’s Bay community.

Background information 

• DOC’s partners also get involved in Conservation Week. This includes Genesis, who are encouraging kids to take part in a national competition with its Whio Boot Camp online game. As well as being fun, the game teaches players how a whio lives in the wild, eating, running rapids and hopefully avoiding predators.

• Toyota New Zealand are also getting involved. Our Toyota Kiwi Guardians programme connects kids with nature and rewards them with medals. Conservation Week marks the launch of our new waterways clean-up medal, Toa Tiaki Wai.

• *Engagement figures come from the Survey of New Zealanders 2016.

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