4 August 2011

The Kaharoa Kokako Trust (KKT) is delighted to receive financial support from PF Olsen Ltd to continue its work of protecting the endangered wattle bird north of Rotorua.

The Rotorua-based forest management company has committed to being a major sponsor of the Trust for the next three years.

Kaharoa Kokako Trust chair, Anne Managh, says it is exciting to receive support from PF Olsen because both parties have a shared interest in ensuring healthy forest environments. It also marks the first sizeable funding contribution from a commercial business.

“Most of our previous support has come from the Department of Conservation and the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, so it is great for us to attract revenue from another source,” Mrs Managh explains.

PF Olsen’s Chief Executive, Peter Clark says it is fitting for his company to support the protection of this iconic forest bird

“As a significant land and forest manager throughout New Zealand we have a strong commitment to environmental values. While it is clear that plantation forests provide valuable habitat for many native bird species, that is not the case for the endangered kokako.”

“We applaud and admire the work of the volunteers who have put so much effort into predator control to protect the birds at Kaharoa and want to see this put onto a permanently sustainable footing,” Mr Clark says.

The kokako population at Kaharoa has increased significantly in recent years due to pest control work conducted by volunteers.

In 1997 there were 26 kokako known to be living in the Kaharoa Forest. Now there are well over 120 birds, making it the fourth largest of 18 known populations in New Zealand.

Constant funding is required to ensure this protection continues, not just for the kokako but for the health of the whole forest.

The funding received from PF Olsen Ltd will go directly into building the ‘Kokako Nest Egg’, an investment fund set up by the Kaharoa Kokako Trust to ensure ongoing pest control in the Kaharoa Conservation Area.

KKT is aiming for a target of $150,000 to ensure that pest control can be sustained in perpetuity at Kaharoa.

“We encourage other private sector firms to help build the Kokako Nest Egg,” says Mr Clark.

ENDS

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