The Threatened Species Trust Programme -
helping New Zealand's threatened native
species
The Threatened Species Trust Programme is a partnership between the Department of Conservation, Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, New Zealand Conservation Authority and corporate sponsors.
The Trust programme was set up in 1990 to: "attract financial sponsorship to support recovery programmes, habitat management and research directed towards New Zealand's threatened native plants and animals."
The Trust programme seeks and manages corporate sponsorship for threatened species, and acts as a forum for discussion on ethics and general conservation sponsorship issues. Sponsorship funds raised by the Trust are separate from, and in addition to funds provided by the Government and are targeted at projects other than those that would normally be funded by the Crown.
How it works
The Threatened Species Trust Programme oversight committee comprises the Director-General of the Department of Conservation, the New Zealand Conservation Authority Chair or his/her elected representative, and a Forest and Bird representative.
Each Threatened Species Trust Programme sponsorship has its own committee comprising representatives of the sponsor, Department of Conservation and the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society. The committees meet 3-4 times a year, and quarterly and annual reports are provided, keeping each organisation up to date on its sponsorship.
Threatened Species Trust sponsorships
The Threatened Species Trust focuses on long-term, high value relationships. Potential sponsors are carefully considered before agreements are entered into on the basis that there can be no conflict between the activities of a sponsor and the conservation mandates of the Trust partners.
A company whose activities may have a negative effect on the environment or conservation must show willingness and proof of change before the Trust will consider a sponsorship. Specific environmental improvement may be requested as a co-requisite to a sponsorship contract.
Most Threatened Species Trust programmes are based on species recovery plans. Sponsors are involved in the programme and all funds go directly towards saving the chosen species and its habitat.
Species protection and recovery work is undertaken by the Department of Conservation in association with relevant organisations such as universities, zoos, museums and non-governmental organisations.
Current Threatened Species Trust Programme sponsorships
Kākāpō Recovery Programme
Comalco's sponsorship of the Kākāpō Recovery Programme began in 1990. Comalco's sponsorship has helped with all facets of the recovery programme, including direct management, research, technology and equipment. Kākāpō have a high profile, both nationally and internationally, as one of the world's most endangered birds.
Milestones in the Kākāpō Recovery Programme include:
- 1990/91: the first time in nine years that kākāpō eggs successfully hatch and survive.
- Four nests found on Codfish Island; transfer of starving chicks to Auckland Zoo.
- Richard Henry, the last Fiordland kākāpō, is found alive and well on Little Barrier Island.
- 1994/5: booming and mating on Little Barrier Island. Wendy and Heather nest and incubate (infertile) eggs. First footage of kākāpō on the nest seen.
- New 24-hour nest minding system developed. Disaster management plans for the breeding season put in place. Artificial rearing and incubation practices developed using kākā eggs and chicks.
- 1997: four chicks hatch on Codfish Island. Solstice, a female, is discovered on Stewart Island.
- 1998: Flossie hatches 3 fertile eggs on Maud Island, sired by Richard Henry. Flossie had made no attempt to breed for 16 years. The likely stimulus was moving her from Little Barrier to Maud.
- 1999: Lisa is rediscovered on Little Barrier Island, after all the known females had been removed from the island. A record six chicks hatched, including four females, bringing the total number of kākāpō to 62. The discovery has also been made that Kākāpō will breed twice in a season if their eggs are removed.
The future for kākāpō looks more promising than it has for decades, with this year's new arrivals marking a 25 percent increase in the total number of females.
Bank of New Zealand Save the Kiwi Trust
The BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust was established in November 2002 by the Department of Conservation and Bank of New Zealand. The Trust is the successor to the Kiwi Recovery Programme, a partnership established in 1991 between the Bank of New Zealand, Department of Conservation and Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society, and administered through the Threatened Species Trust.
The BNZ Save the Kiwi Trust builds on the achievements of the previous 11 years of kiwi recovery sponsorship by Bank of New Zealand, and is an exciting new vehicle for New Zealanders to participate in kiwi conservation.
Takahe Recovery Programme
The giant, flightless takahe, or notornis was thought to be extinct unit its rediscovery in the remote Murchison Mountains in Fiordland in the 1940s. Around 150 takahe remain in Fiordland. The rest are on predator-free offshore islands, Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre and Burwood Bush, Te Anau. There are about 250 takahe left.
Mitre 10 New Zealand sponsors the Takahe Recovery Programme.
Takahe are one of a number of species available for sponsorship through the Threatened Species Trust.
Other species sponsorships
Other threatened species sponsorships have included:
- ACE Doors Limited sponsorship of native frog recovery on Maud Island.
- Software Education sponsorship of stitchbird research on Kapiti Island.
Sponsorship opportunities
The Threatened Species Trust Programme is an ideal vehicle for businesses and corporates wishing to invest in conservation sponsorship.
Threatened Species Trust Programme sponsorships offer association with high profile programmes run by world leaders in conservation management. Conservation sponsorship offers sponsors significant opportunities in driving both business and corporate image values.
Sponsors and their clients also have the opportunity to become involved in the programmes.
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