Dame Cindi Kiro officially invested Julian Fitter of Katikati as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit on 3 May at Government House in Wellington.

Arriving in New Zealand later in life this wildlife author and conservationist had no plans on retiring and watching the sun set. Not long after settling in Maketū in the Bay of Plenty, in 2009 Julian Fitter helped establish Maketū Ōngātoro Wetland Society, to protect the breeding population of Northern New Zealand dotterel on Maketu Spit.

He was Chair of the Society from 2010 to 2023. During this time five Environmental Programmes were developed, funded by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, focusing on biosecurity and restoration to prioritise native biodiversity sites around the Maketu and Waihi Estuaries.

In 2016 he then established Bay Conservation Alliance, (BCA) and is Chair. Almost a decade on, amongst the many services BCA offer, they support 35 conservation groups in the Bay, providing them with administration and on-the-ground advice and assistance and giving them a stronger collective voice.

Julian says, “We depend upon the natural environment for our wellbeing and our economic survival. Damage to the environment affects us all and we know that, and yet [we] consciously decide to do nothing about it.”

He is passionate about education and believes that partnering together for nature will result in far better outcomes than working individually.

He says “We need to educate everyone about the importance and value of our natural environment and how protecting it can benefit us all. Working together we can fix it and can enjoy rewarding, comfortable and productive lives.”

Julian has authored several books including ‘Albatross, Their World Their Ways’ (2008) with wildlife photographer Tui De Roy. He has written three books on New Zealand wildlife; ‘New Zealand Wildlife’ (2009), ‘Field Guide to the Wildlife of New Zealand’ (2010/2021) and ‘Birds of New Zealand’ (2011).

His work over the decades has not just strengthened conservation work in New Zealand. Prior to immigrating to New Zealand Mr Fitter was a founding Trustee of the United Kingdom-based Falklands Conservation Trust in 1979 and is currently a Vice President. He was instrumental in establishing the Galapagos Conservation Trust in 1997, serving as inaugural Chair and currently as an ambassador.

In 2008 he established and is now a committee member of the Friends of Galapagos New Zealand organisation, working with the Charles Darwin Foundation and The Galapagos National Park.

Not one to slow down after fifty-plus years of service, in 2023 he helped establish the Bittern Conservation Trust, which he chairs.

“My becoming a Member of the NZ Order of Merit is recognition of the need to work to protect our natural environment,” said Mr Fitter. “I believe that this, and the protection of our native species of animals and plants, is vital to the continued existence of Homo sapiens.”

To find out more about Julian Fitter and more about conservation projects in the region please go to www.bayconservation.nz

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