Saoirse Williamson, 13, is on a mission to increase the admiral butterfly population. Photo / Alyssa Smith
Saoirse Williamson, 13, is on a mission to increase the admiral butterfly population. Photo / Alyssa Smith
Levin’s Saoirse Williamson, 13, is increasing the admiral butterfly population in Horowhenua, one chrysalis at a time.
Saoirse, a Year 9 student at Horowhenua College, has started a butterfly sanctuary at her school, hoping to bring them back to the area.
“My parents talk about the lack of butterfly activity compared to when they were my age, particularly admirals. Despite being native, the admirals are not well-known and we only see them occasionally.”
She said the idea to create a sanctuary started in 2023.
Saoirse and her friends fundraised by selling home baking at the Ōtaki Kids Market and the Centre Skate Rink.
From back left: Geoff Williamson, Forest and Bird Horowhenua Branch president Geoff Ritchie, Paul Westley, Horowhenua College caretaker Isaiah Eager, Chrissy Anderson and Claire Roper from Otaki Kids Market, Year 9 students Tamara Crawford, Saoirse Williamson, Abby Mansfield and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust secretary Jacqui Knight are just some of the people working to make the sanctuary successful. Photo / Alyssa Smith
She also received several donations during this time, she said.
“Centre Skate rink chairperson Pauline Phillips and the committee of Centre Skate also made a generous donation. I applied for and received grants from Horowhenua District Council and Horizons Regional Council. Rogan Boyle also made a personal donation. Forest & Bird Horowhenua Branch president Geoff Ritchie was also supportive, and both the branch and the national office of Forest & Bird donated.”
Saoirse had planned to start the sanctuary at her primary school, but because of drainage issues, she waited until she started at Horowhenua College this year.
“I made a presentation to the principal, Grant Congdon and school property manager Jono Johnson, who was very supportive. Mitchpine and Mitre 10 Levin helped pay for fence materials, and Isaiah Eager, the caretaker, and his son built the fence.”
Year 9 Horowhenua College student Saoirse Williamson, 13, and principal Grant Congdon outside the tunnel house. Photo / Alyssa Smith
Principal Grant Congdon said he is proud of Saoirse.
“Usually on enrolment day, we’re the ones asking questions but when Saoirse arrived here for her enrolment, she asked us about her passion for revitalising the red admiral butterfly population. She asked whether we were invested in it. Right from the start we’ve been captivated by her passion. We wanted to invest in it and help establish the compound.”
Saoirse said the tunnel house contains host plants Urtica dioica, U. ferox and U. australis on one side and nectar plants on the other.
“It has plastic film and shade cloth at both ends for air circulation. It is specially fabricated for butterflies to provide a haven for breeding and overwintering and has an internal irrigation system.”
She has also started up a butterfly club at the school.
“My vision is to increase general awareness of the plight of our moths and butterflies and to help other schools interested in doing similar projects.”
Last week, she was in Palmerston North advocating for the butterflies by submitting a proposal in terms of adding native host plants along both the O2NL and Tararua highways.
“The members of the Alliance project who attended were very positive and supportive and will consider this with the view of doing what is possible for their planting plans, within the current scope of both the O2NL and Tararua to Manawatū highway projects.”
She attended the meeting with Forest and Bird Horowhenua Branch president Geoff Ritchie and Moths and Butterflies of New Zealand Trust secretary Jacqui Knight.
Ritchie said he is impressed by Saoirse’s efforts.
“It’s great to see Saoirse doing this and the college has seen it through.”
Knight said the work she is doing is important.
“We’d like to see some more of these admiral butterflies around. It’s great and exciting what Saoirse is doing.”
Ō2NL Project Kaiārahi – Muaūpoko Tribal Authority Jenny Warren said the Ō2NL project welcomed the opportunity to speak to Saoirse about her work.
“As part of the Ō2NL project, the team is identifying plant species which are appropriate to the roading designation and will have the added benefit of creating natural habitats for endemic species. It’s great to meet with local rangatahi to hear about their work and how it may correlate with the project.”
