The Chatham Island black robin is one bird you could see on a trip being offered as a raffle prize by the Ngā Manu Nature Reserve. Photo / Oscar Thomas.
The Chatham Island black robin is one bird you could see on a trip being offered as a raffle prize by the Ngā Manu Nature Reserve. Photo / Oscar Thomas.
Ngā Manu Nature Reserve in Waikanae is raffling off an all-inclusive eight-day trip to the Chatham Islands, a prize valued at over $10,000.
The trip, for two people, includes flights, deep sea fishing, and visits to various reserves and historical sites. Proceeds from raffle sales will support conservation and pest management efforts at Ngā Manu, promoting its predator-free goal.
Highlights of the trip, which has been created by Chatham Island Tours, include deep sea fishing and visits to Awatotora, Nikau and Tuku Reserve where native parea (Chatham Island pigeon) can be spotted.
The trip also includes a visit to the Basalt Columns at Ohira Bay, bushwalking on Kopi Farm, visiting the shipwrecks and Port Hutt, exploring the history of the Moriori Kopinga Marae, seeing the Te Whanga Lagoon, and visiting Blind Jim’s Creek where fossilised shark teeth can be found.
Raffle tickets can be purchased throughout October from the Ngā Manu Nature Reserve website or from their visitor centre.
Ngā Manu’s supervisor Rhys Mills said the raffle will help raise funds for the reserve as well as awareness around the importance of becoming predator-free in New Zealand.
“All proceeds will directly support the conservation and pest management efforts at Ngā Manu Nature Reserve.”
Senior ranger Rhys Mills showing the restoring of permanent wetland from 50 years ago at Ngā Manu.
Mills said Ngā Manu Trust, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, plays a vital role in New Zealand’s conservation by participating in breed-for-release programmes for the country’s most endangered species.
He said the team “works diligently to develop innovative strategies to re-establish endangered native plant species by supporting kiwi, tuatara, kākāriki, kea, whio, pāteke, kāka and several endangered plant populations”.
“Predator-free sanctuaries have finite space to release our iconic native species. Unfenced habitats like Ngā Manu Nature Reserve play an important role in our ecosystem but require ongoing investment in predator control to create safe zones for our native species to thrive.
“What good is a successful breed-for-release programme if there is nowhere to release our native flora and fauna? Pests such as stoats, ferrets, possums, and rats pose a huge threat to our tuatara and kiwi for example, eating their young or precious kiwi eggs, which have a 5% chance of hatching without interference.”
He said the Chatham Islands made sense as a trip location for the prize as the islands are home to some unique and rare birds, such as the karure/kakaruia [black robin], as well as plants, insects and marine life, and, like Ngā Manu, they have a predator-free goal.
“The Chatham Islands Landscape Restoration Trust are committed to the main Chatham being free of target predators by 2050 and to see this island thriving with life.”
The raffle is supported by Air Chathams, Chatham Island Tours, and Hotel Chathams, he said, enabling Ngā Manu to offer a great prize that also supports the conservation kaupapa shared by Ngā Manu and the Chatham Islands.
The Chatham Island tour is also open for bookings, with space for a further 22 people to join. Bookings for the tour will also help Ngā Manu, said Mills.
“Ngā Manu will also benefit from a small commission for any direct bookings made for Tour #60, for those who want to be certain not to miss out on the trip of a lifetime. Buy a ticket for your chance to win a bucket-list trip and to support Ngā Manu’s conservation efforts. Everyone benefits, especially our future generations who we plan to show, not tell tales of New Zealand’s endemic species.”
Tickets are on sale now until December 12 and cost $25 per ticket or five for $100. The draw is expected to be at Ngā Manu’s Christmas Party in December and will be overseen by a Justice of the Peace.
