EXCLUSIVE FOR WWF SUPPORTERS

RImUTaka FOREST PaRkRecipe for success

ThE LaST 55Jamie McDell: Making waves for Maui’s

kaRma nOT CLUTTERWedding bliss

SUCCESS!Soco out of Virunga

ISSUE 11MAGAZINE

2014

Living Planet page 3

Living pLanet – issue 11

a recipe for success In April, WWF’s Jen Riches visited Rimutaka Forest Park to discuss the ingredients for successful conservation.

Martin’s packing cinnamon,

nutmeg, apples and oranges into

his bag. You might think he’s off to

do some baking, but in fact these

ingredients are for a conservation

mission – the spice and citrus scents

draw predators away from the nests

of endangered native birds, and

towards trap lines.

We’re at Rimutaka Forest Park,

sandwiched between the Hutt

Valley and the Wairarapa Plains,

and Martin and some of his fellow

volunteers are kindly showing us

around their neck of the woods –

lush native bush. It’s home to 26

species of native birds, and Martin

recounts once seeing a single tree

with 27 kereru perched on its

branches. But it’s the kiwi here

that hold a special place in their

hearts: “They’re a special wee

creature. The ability to come to

somewhere that’s only half an hour

out of Wellington and see, or at

least hear a kiwi in the wild,

I think is fantastic.”

What makes it even more special is that just ten years ago, seeing a kiwi here wasn’t a possibility. The volunteer team at Rimutaka Forest Park Charitable Trust has put in countless hours restoring native bush and controlling pests since 1988. The first eight kiwi were reintroduced in 2006. Now, there are ‘around a hundred kiwi here, probably more,’ says Martin.

He’s one of 90 regular volunteers and their hard work has paid off – in some areas the native bush is now regenerating independently. I see beech trees and ask about the coming mast year, when predator numbers are due to rise. Martin’s not sure what the impact will be on the birds here, ‘because we only have some beech trees’. But they aren’t taking any chances. A grant of $5,000 from WWF and The Tindall Foundation for the ‘Restore the Dawn Chorus’ project helped strengthen their defences. “We really appreciate the help that WWF has given us – it’s been

a real boost for the birdlife here

that we’ve been able to put in new

traps and plug a few holes we

had,” he says.

It’s not easy work. Martin and his

team of 15 trappers scale the steep

bush-clad hills in all weathers to

set and check trap lines. But he

enjoys it, and it’s clear the main

ingredient keeping this land safe

for our precious native birds is

people – the volunteers like

Martin, keeping our kiwi wild.

Your support of W WF is

helping groups like Rimutaka

Forest Park save our nat ive

birds. Thank you.

p10 Karma not cLutterp3 save the Last 55

p3 rimutaka forest parkp4 save the last 55p5 Jamie mcDell: making wavesp6 virunga success!p8 in other words p9 news in briefp10 supporter news

WeLcome from chris hoWe

contents

Cover image: A Maui’s dolphin spotted off the North Island’s West Coast. © Silvia Scarli.

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Rimutaka Forest Park’s Martin Tonks. Eddie, one of the Rimutaka Forest Park Trust’s kiwi.

p4 Jamie mcDeLL

Earlier this year I was at Auckland’s Voyager Maritime Museum for the launch of our Last 55 Maui’s dolphins campaign. As a nation we’ve neglected our beautiful Maui’s dolphins – and as a result there were probably more people at the launch than there are dolphins in our waters. Yet the overwhelming support for our campaign shows we just can’t give up the fight. I know that protecting Maui’s dolphins from extinction is something you want WWF to stand up for.

As New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera said at the launch, it’s time for all of us to be their kaitiaki, their protectors. If our leaders can commit to being their kaitiaki, we can ensure Maui’s dolphins will not only survive,

but thrive. With an election just around the corner, we know the time is now to make this happen.

And this is where I need you to help us. We need our political parties to know we don’t want Maui’s to go the way of the Yangtze River dolphin and be doomed to extinction. It’s simple – if you haven’t already, visit thelast55.co.nz and sign your name to the petition. Together, and with a little help from our political leaders, we’ll ensure the last 55 are saved.

Executive Director, WWF-New Zealand

fieLD report

26 species of native birDs caLL rimutaKa forest parK home

page 4 Living Planet Living Planet page 5

searching for the bigger picture and a way to relate the things I care about to those around me.”

Since then, Jamie has supported WWF’s campaign with the New Zealand Shark Alliance to ban shark finning in our waters, as well as our work protecting Maui’s dolphins.

“Where do we draw the line? It ’s devastating to imagine a species that has been part of our culture for so long becoming extinct, yet for many years we have sat back and let this happen. If we continue on this path, what’s next? Do we lose sea lions? Or more species of whales and dolphins?”

“That’s the bigger picture for me; we need to take action now so we can help protect and develop our sea life rather than destroy it.”

Listen to ‘Without a Voice’ at http://bit.ly/UNG2dt

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Two Maui’s dolphins. Without better protection, sightings like this will become increasingly rare.

Jamie mcDeLL maKing WavesNew Zealand singer-songwriter Jamie McDell has long been a passionate advocate of protection for our oceans. With the launch of our Last 55 campaign, we spoke to Jamie about her love for the sea and why she thinks the time is now to save Maui’s dolphins.

“You could say I’m a bit obsessed with the beach and saltwater,” says Jamie McDell. The talented 21 year old grew up in a seafaring family, and it was inevitable a love for all things ocean-related would rub off on not just her, but her music too.

“My dad was a keen sailor back in the 70s, and he decided that when my younger sister and I were born we would live on

a boat for a few years in the Mediterranean,” she adds.

In 2011, she wrote ‘Without a Voice’, a song about the plight of New Zealand’s Maui’s dolphins.

“It was my way of sharing with my fans what was going on in New Zealand, and the fact that we were choosing not to protect Maui’s. I guess I’m always

With just 55 maui’s dolphins left – they desperately need our help.

What we’re calling forWe’re seeking a commitment from all of New Zealand’s polit ical parties for increased protection of Maui’s dolphins – this means

a ban on set nett ing and bottom trawling from Maunganui Bluff to the Whanganui River Mouth.

hoW You can heLpLet our leaders know they need to protect

the last 55 maui’s dolphins wherever they swim by signing the petition at theLast55.co.nZ.

together we can make a difference.

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New Zealand singer-songwriter Jamie McDell has been inspired by the ocean all her life.

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A shoe-bill, or whale-headed stork (Balaeniceps rex).

Virunga success! We’re delighted to report that your support has led UK oil company Soco International to agree to cease plans to prospect for oil in Africa’s Virunga National Park.

Virunga is home to many endangered species, including mountain gorillas and birds like this shoe-bill. The park is now safe for the immediate future from risky oil extraction.

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the Line

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Bushy Park’s tieke flying highWith your support, WWF and The Tindall Foundation supported the translocation and post release monitoring of 40 tieke, or saddlebacks, into Wanganui’s Bushy Park reserve in 2006.

We were delighted to hear that with a 2014 population now numbering over 350, the team at Bushy Park were able to translocate some of their tieke population to other projects, starting with the Rotokare Scenic Reserve, next to Lake Rotokare in South Taranaki, in May. In time, it is hoped the birds will establish a new breeding population in the area.

neWs in brief

$19 biLLionestimateD vaLue of

the iLLegaL WiLDLife traDe, per Year

“It’s time for all of us to be their kaitiaki, their protectors.”

New Zealand author Witi Ihimaera, speaking at the launch of WWF-New Zealand’s Last 55 campaign.

in other WorDs

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Blue Maomao and kelp, New Zealand.

The team at Bushy park preparing to release a Tieke. Setting an innovative Goodnature predator trap in East Taranaki.

Two Maui’s dolphins break the surface off the Taranaki coast.

the average number of rhinos poacheD in south africa, everYDaY, in 2013.

The number of industrial ships that could cross Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, every year, if development plans go ahead.

hectares of the amaZon rainforest guaranteeD protection for at Least the next 25 Years foLLoWing an agreement With WWf, the braZiLian government anD partners.

Smart fishing competition opensEntanglement in fishing gear is a serious threat to many endangered marine mammals, seabirds and other marine creatures, including Maui’s dolphins.

Through our International Smart Gear competition, we’re hoping to inspire innovative and practical ideas to help fish smarter – reducing bycatch while improving the take of target catch.

Think you have a winning idea? With cash prizes of $65,000 up for grabs, including a $7,500 marine mammal bycatch reduction prize, the competition is open to everyone from backyard tinkerers to scientists. Enter by August 31 at smartgear.org.

Lack of Maui’s protection ‘a concern’ – IWCThe International Whaling Commission Scientific Committee (IWC) has reiterated its extreme concern at the continuing decline of the Maui’s dolphin population, following a recent meeting of the IWC sub-committee in Slovenia in May.

The IWC called on the New Zealand government to protect Maui’s throughout their range. “The report confirms Maui’s dolphins are at risk of extinction and they need to be protected everywhere they swim to have a chance at survival,” says WWF-New Zealand Marine Species Advocate Milena Palka.

Read the IWC f indings at iwc.int

New ideas for natureWe’re proud to announce the launch of our first ever Conservation Innovation Awards. The awards will celebrate new ideas for nature – showcasing the ground-breaking ideas from New Zealand researchers, community groups and product designers driving community conservation to the next level.

If you have an idea – we want to hear from you! There will be three prizes of $25,000, and applicat ions open in August. For more information see wwf.org.nz/innovation

Figures and quotes from the frontlines of conservation.

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our peopLe our peopLe

contact usFor any enquiries regarding supporting WWF

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Phone: 0800 4357 993 or 04 499 2930

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Please include your supporter number as a reference.

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the LanghamThe partnership between the Langham, Auckland and WWF includes a focus on sustainable seafood. Guests receive the Living Planet magazine, and the hotel also provides meeting space and a base for WWF staff visiting Auckland.

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out by printer

bev LorDWWF Supporter

Self confessed child of the 60s Bev Lord has lived in Wellington for the past 11 years. She’s also supported WWF both here and overseas, for more than 20 years.

“I feel fortunate to have been born and raised in New Zealand, such a beautiful country with its own unique flora and fauna,” says Bev.

“Supporting WWF is my way of giving back, to ensure we look after the environment and wildlife.”

“Supporting WWF enables me to help take care of my own backyard

as well as contributing to animal conservation worldwide,” she says. “To me, it’s always felt fresh and natural, and the name WWF is synonymous with global conservation.”

If you would like to be featured in our supporter prof ile, let us know! Send us an email at info@wwf.org.nz.

Bev Lord

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subscribe to WWf emaiL aLertsSigning up to our WWF e-newsletter is a great way to become more involved in the work of WWF, and you’ll be the first to know about breaking conservation news as it happens.

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WhY i support WWfOur supporters give to us for many dif ferent reasons. For some of you it will be our work saving Maui’s dolphins, for others it could be protect ing the world’s last remaining wild t igers. Regardless of what has you hooked on W WF, we love to hear what ’s important to you!

For newlyweds Laura and her husband Symond Cendak, good karma from their wedding guests was far more important than sets of steak knives and frying pans at their wedding in February this year.

“It was important to us that people brought their best wishes for our marriage, rather than material things,” says Laura. “We live in a tiny apartment, and after living together for a few years we have everything we need,” she adds. So to cut the clutter, the happy couple asked their guests to donate to charity in lieu of bringing gifts.

“Of course a few people still brought gifts, but we were really surprised by how generous people were, and how supportive they were of donating.”

The couple gave their guests a selection of their favourite causes to support, which included WWF and Aishworya Children’s Home, a charity a friend had worked with in Kathmandu, Nepal.

“Having one less thing to think about in the lead up to the wedding was also a relief!” says Laura.

Congratulations to Laura and Symond on getting hitched! If you have a fundraising story you’d like to share – email us at info@wwf.org.nz.

enDangereD species get neW aDvocatesOur endangered animal species can now count on

more than 250 advocates after college students’ Rachel

Sun and Darren Shao set up an animal awareness

group at Epsom Girls and Auckland Grammar schools.

“We’re both passionate about ensuring the issues facing endangered animals get as much attention as social issues,” explains Rachel. “Our school had a human rights group – and we thought one for animals was well overdue.”

Membership in the group has skyrocketed, and they

already have big things planned – starting with a

street fundraising drive in Auckland in August for

WWF. “We’re also running a fundraising quiz night in

September, the proceeds of which will go to charity,”

says Rachel.

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Animal awareness group leaders. (Left to right) Jian-Sen Ng, Christine Chen, Darren Shao, Rachel Sun and Simon Delos Reyes.

Look out for the students fundraising in Newmarket and St Lukes in Auckland on the weekend of August 23-34.

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WWf one pLanet cLubWWF’s One Planet Club brings together our most committed supporters who share our vision of a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.

To find out more, and for a membership prospectus, contact Shayne Storey at sstorey@wwf.org.nz

55 is not that big a number. but that’s how many maui’s dolphins are left in the world.

help save the last 55 maui’s dolphins by visiting thelast55.co.nz

Living pLanet issue 11issn 1177-3332

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March 2014

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