Yellow-eyed penguin at Te Rere
Making a difference
As well as working closely with sustainable and responsible tourism businesses in New Zealand, New Zealand In Depth are also proud to support two great conservation projects in the remote Catlins region on the south coast of the South Island.
New Zealand’s unique and fragile ecosystem has certainly suffered since humans first arrived on the islands only 1000 years ago but some wonderful work is now being done to protect this special environment and our two small “conservation heroes” are Te Rere yellow-eyed penguin reserve and the Papatowai Forest Heritage Trust.
Te Rere Yellow eyed penguin reserve in the Catlins area of New Zealand is a major habitat restoration project by the Southland Branch of the New Zealand Forest and Bird Society. The Society owns and manages an area of 61 hectares where restoration work to re-establish the rainforest nesting habitat of the penguin is carried out. This involves fence maintenance, tree planting, predator and browsing animal control, and twice yearly counts. Yellow-eyed penguins are found only in New Zealand where their numbers are fewer than 4000 and Te Rere is home to over 80 of these penguins. For more information see www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/reserves/te-rere and or www.kcc.org.nz/birds/hoiho/terere.asp.
Papatowai Forest Heritage Charitable Trust
The Papatowai Forest Heritage Charitable Trust was set up in 1996 to protect the native plants and animals of The Catlins. The Trust has purchased and legally protected three hectares in two areas of regenerating forest at Papatowai and is currently working with landowners in the Chaslands to protect two hectares of native grassland which is rare in the district. Volunteers and local school children help with revegetation projects and weeding. At its Shank's Bush reserve at Papatowai the Trust has created and maintains an innovative nature trail for the enjoyment and education of the public. For more information see www.catlins-ecotours.co.nz/pfht.htm.
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