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Report from the Chair 2018 -2019
Summary
Biodiversity Guardians of Hawkes Bay has gained 72 new or returning members over the financial year.
The Guardians have also run 3 events: a BIOBUZZ forum event in November 2018, a Wetlands Forum event in February 2019 and an evening event to celebrate International day of Biological Diversity in May 2019. The Management Committee met 9 times throughout the year.
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Our membership
We have grown our membership base over the last 12 months, gaining 56 individual members, 2 family members, 9 non-governmental organisation or small business members and 5 corporate or agency members, a total of 72 new or returning members over the financial year. At 30 June we had a total of 121 members. We have moved to Infoodle to manage our membership database. Thanks to Richard Croad for both recommending this database management system and for paying the fees over the first 6 months.
The following small businesses, Non-government organizations and corporates are Biodiversity Guardians of Hawke’s Bay in 2018-19.
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The Guardians Management Committee
The Guardians Management Committee met nine times between July 2018 and June 2019.
The Committee was chaired firstly by Connie Norgate till late February, then Marie Taylor until May and Kay Griffiths from May 2nd until the present. Marie Taylor was Deputy Chair for the first period, Dr Amelia McQueen until June 16th and Mark Mitchell has taken on that role since. Treasurer duties were fulfilled by Kay Griffiths until May the 2nd when Nathan Burkepile took on that role. Other committee members are Keiko Hashiba, Ngaio Tiuka, Troy Duncan, Stephanie Murphy and Matt Brady.
Matt stepped in to represent DOC after Connie left. Being on the committee is a commitment in both time and energy and I thank all of the committee members for their voluntary input.
Christine Cheyne, the representative of the Guardians membership on the Biodiversity HB Foundation Board of Trustees, has attended many of our meetings to ensure good communication to, and representation of, the Guardians. Thanks Christine, you have made an outstanding effort.
L to R: Dr Amelia McQueen, Genevieve Bennett, Nathan Burkepile, Keiko Hashiba, Ngaio Tiuka, Troy Duncan, Mark Mitchell, Stephanie Murphy, Christine Cheyne, Kay Griffiths and Matt Brady at 22 May 2019 event.
Key advice and expertise was provided to the Management Committee over the 2018 2019 year by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council staff members including Rina Douglas, Desiree Cull, Clare Hollings, Melissa des Landes, Campbell Leckie, and Susan Wylie. Thanks go to you all.
Genevieve Bennett, in her role as secretariat and project manager, has played a vital part in ensuring communication with all our members is timely and ongoing through newsletters, emails and facebook, and has been part of the team doing much organisation behind all the events. Much appreciated, Genevieve. Genevieve has since decided to move on, and I wish her all the best in the future.
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What have we achieved in the 2018-19 year?
Our First Biodiversity Forums
Our first forum event – termed a BIOBUZZ – was held at Aramoana in late October 2018. Over 80 people came to this family event. Establishing the Forum is one of the Top 6 priority Actions under the Action Plan, and we were pleased by the positive feedback we received after the event.
Sponsorship was received from HBRC for the bus and the Aramoana Education Trust put on lunch for everybody, so thanks to them both for that support.
World Wetlands Day
The second forum was based around World Wetlands Day at the Kaweka Lakes. A summer storm didn’t dampen the spirits of the 60 or so people who joined us for this event in February 2019. Highlights were learning about some native fish, a vairiety of native plants and seeing or hearing fernbird.
Guardians Dr Amelia McGueen, Matt Brady and Nathan Burkepile led much of the discussion on the wetlands, while Mike Lusk added in his botanical and general knowledge. We would like to thank Nimons Buses who sponsored the bus transport for this event.
International Day of Biological Diversity – May 22
ndThe third Forum event of the year celebrated International Day of Biodiversity on May 22nd 2019. The keynote speakers were from BLAKE (formerly The Sir Peter Blake Trust) who shared with us the inspiration and aspirations behind the BLAKE Ambassador program for youth. Kay Griffiths also gave an update on the Action Plan. The event was held at EIT who provided the venue and wine as part of a sponsorship package. Thanks EIT! The catering was done by the on-site kitchen, which was paid for out of a donation from Plant Hawke’s Bay. Freeman Bay Consulting and The Conservation Company also gave sponsored gifts for the speakers.
Other Events and Public engagement
Royal A & P Show
Local Forest and Bird branches
The National Wetland Symposium
Hastings Sustainable Backyard programme
Ngāti Kahungunu Fish Hook Summit5
Growing our profile
We have made a considerable effort this year to grow our profile and have had stories in local newspapers, magazines and on social media.
Biodiversity HB Project Fund
The Project Fund is a small grants programme for individuals and community groups. The money to enable this Fund has come from Department of Conservation, with a contribution from our membership fees. We announced the first ever recipients of the funding in May 2019, although the actual funding is being given in this current financial year. The first projects selected include
riparian planting and maintenance at Roto Ngaio in Wairoa District with Ngati Pāhauwera Development Trust,
weed control and planting at ‘The Gap’ gravel beach near Hawke’s Bay Airport,
a contribution to deer fencing at Little Bush with HBRC and Napier Branch of Forest & Bird,
rabbit exclosure plots at Central Hawke’s Bay’s Puahanui Bush with the Gwavas Charitable Trust for the Puahanui Bush.
It’s been a full year and we are very proud of what’s been achieved so far ….. lots more to come!!
Kind regards, Kay Griffiths, Chair. 02/09/2019
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