DOC thanks NZAS for long time kākāpō support
10 December 2015
DOC thanks NZAS for long time
kākāpō support
The Department of Conservation
and Ngāi Tahu thank New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Ltd
(NZAS) for the company’s dedicated and long-standing
support of the Kākāpō Recovery programme.
DOC Director General Lou Sanson says with NZAS’s backing over the last 25 years, Kākāpō Recovery has become a highly successful programme recognised around the world.
“In that time together we’ve more than doubled the number of kākāpō and created a much more certain future for this critically endangered taonga.”
Lou Sanson says DOC remains fully committed to the Kākāpō Recovery programme and continuing to grow and safeguard the population of this much loved bird.
“With 125 birds now on secure pest-free islands, and advances in our management of this species, the future for kākāpō is on a firm footing.”
Lou Sanson says Kākāpō Recovery work will not be affected by NZAS’s decision and DOC has made good progress on securing another long-term partner in this programme
Forest & Bird Group Manager Kevin
Hackwell also thanked NZAS for their support of the
Kākāpō Recovery programme.
“They have been a key
partner in helping to secure kākāpō survival and their
long term support has enabled the partnership to research
and develop on-the-ground techniques for the benefit of
kākāpō and other recovery programmes,” says Kevin
Hackwell.
The agreement with NZAS and Forest & Bird in
Kākāpō Recovery was DOC’s longest running conservation
partnership.
As part of the partnership Forest & Bird has administered the Kākāpō Recovery trust account so that all donations and financial contributions go direct to the programme.
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