Those entering needed to be able to describe clearly the biosecurity mahi (work) they are doing and the effect they are having.

“Being selected as finalists in the award is fabulous recognition and great publicity to encourage others to do similar things and why community groups can be successful,” says co-founder and project manager Charmaine Petereit.

“People at the place are the best people to be protecting and restoring their biodiversity as they know the place and the people, so we work grass-roots up and that’s how things should be managed.”

The Tākaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust was formed in 2018.

Charmaine says they have great support from locals, and they acknowledge Te Atiawa as mana whenua iwi of the Tākaka Hill rohe (area).

“We have a holistic approach to ecosystem restoration and protection and a 50-year strategy. We are safeguarding the biodiversity and biosecurity of ecosystems on Tākaka Hill.

“The area is significant due to its limestone geology, endemic flora and fauna, and as a corridor linking Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks.”

The group’s notable achievements to date include controlling pest plants, such as wilding pines, native plant propagation, extensive predator trapping (using over 400 traps), restoration planting, and assisting scientific research and data collection on endangered and indicator species.

“Volunteers are a dying breed, as many people find finding spare time hard enough day to day without volunteering; however, if we don’t do it, no one will,” says Charmaine.

“It’s a privilege to be doing what we are doing, but it’s a big commitment, and a lot is relying on the biodiversity group; therefore, it cannot be taken for granted and being that biodiversity is so important, it needs to be funded.

A handful of volunteer trustees are heading up to the awards in Wellington in April, and Charmine says that while it’s an expense and a time commitment, she’s looking forward to the occasion.

“I come from a farming family and have 100 acres of beech forest. I work from home and spend most of my time in my old work gear, so I am looking forward to getting my glad rags on and spending a night in Wellington eating good food and pushing home the message that we cannot deliver this work without funding.

“It’s also a great chance to push the trust out there and be a flag waver to other communities to say that you can do yourself like we have.”

Eloise Martyn

Read the full issue here