Sanctuary Secures Co-ordinator

The Brook Waimarama Sanctuary has appointed a full time coordinator, with an Enterprising Communities grant from Work and Income to cover two years.

Sanctuary trust chair Dave Butler said he was very pleased with the calibre of the applicants and with the selection of Nelson-born Rick Field, who has a zoology degree from Canterbury University, and has just returned to New Zealand with his young family after six years overseas. During this time he ran the Amazonian Science gallery at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, worked for Apple Computers in London and managed a Scottish Estate.

³With the news of the Nelson City Council including $1,000,000 of funding for the project over four years in its 2008/09 draft annual plan, Rick really has something to work with,² Dave Butler said. ³The project has huge support from the people of this region and we will now really start to see some progress on getting the pest-proof fence in place by our target date of 2009.²

Work and Income Labour Market Manager Mere Wetere said the employment of a coordinator is good news for the sanctuary, the environment and for future economic growth. ³This project has multiple benefits for Nelson. In addition to providing a new eco-tourist destination, this community owned development will provide significant opportunities for training and employment for Work and Income clients.²

Dave said the sanctuary project was all about partnerships. ³This funding is our second from central government - the first was from tourism for the display material at our entrance building,² he said. ³With council support, input from other agencies, the private sector and individuals the sanctuary is gaining significant momentum.²

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