Waikato wildlife wins eco-funding

Part of Mt Maungatautari's almost completed 47km predator-proof fence

Wellington's conservation loss has turned out to be Waikato's gain.

On the day MPs in the capital cried foul over being "shafted" out of $6 million for a Karori wildlife project, the Prime Minister was in the Waikato announcing $5.5 million for a similar venture at Mt Maungatautari, near Cambridge.

Helen Clark said the Department of Internal Affairs had recommended funding for the Waikato project based on the fact it had delivered on a number of criteria.

Over the past three years the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust has raised enough money to almost complete a 47km predator-proof fence around the base of the mountain.

It is estimated the fence will be finished in six weeks.

Helen Clark said the trust had raised more than $8 million towards its final goal of $14 million.

"It has been absolutely assiduous in building support and keeping us informed on progress," she said.

Farmers in the area and three local iwi had been drawn in and fully consulted and all fully backed the concept.

The Government top-up means stage two of the project can now start, including construction of a visitor centre with an education programme and the reintroduction of a number of native species.

Helen Clark said the trust had proven its capabilities and it was clear the wildlife sanctuary would benefit the region and country.

Economically, culturally, socially and educationally the Maungatautari sanctuary had stacked up, she said.

Trust chairman David Wallace said the Prime Minister's visit and the handing over of a cheque from the Government marked a "watershed day" for the community project.

He said one ecological expert had recently predicted that within three years the enclosure would surpass Little Barrier Island as the number-one wildlife sanctuary in the country.

Meanwhile, the Labour MP for Wellington Central, Marian Hobbs, expressed consternation yesterday about the Karori wildlife project missing out.

Ms Hobbs labelled the decision to overlook funding for the capital's bid as "bloody hurtful" and embarrassing.

National list MP and former Wellington mayor Mark Blumsky said hundreds of volunteers had been "shafted" by the Government.

Helen Clark said people involved with the Karori project would soon be briefed on why their application had missed out.

The Cabinet had accepted recommendations put forward by the Department of Internal Affairs, she said.

The money for the Maungatautari project came from $32 million the Government allocated for significant community-based projects that have regional or national significance.

So far, $12 million has been handed out, including yesterday's allocation.

Land within the Maungatautari Ecological Island enclosure is exclusively native bush.

At the end of this winter pest eradication will take place covering more than 3000ha of lowland hardwood forest, aimed at restoring a fully functional forest ecosystem.

Endangered species including kiwi, tuatara, kakariki, saddleback, stitchbirds and rata are expected to flourish in the new environment.