Rotorua celebrates launch of Wingspan's first book about New Zealand birds of prey

Debbie Stewart with her book <i>The Hunters</i>. Photo/Shauni James

Spirits were soaring this week at the pre-launch of Wingspan's first book about New Zealand's birds of prey.

The event was held on Wednesday night at the Millennium Hotel, with The Hunters having its worldwide release this coming Tuesday.

Author and Wingspan executive director Debbie Stewart says she is excited about the launch, which is "essentially the country's first book on New Zealand birds of prey".

"Ultimately, dreams are possible."

She says the book talks about extinct, current, threatened and new birds, and there are local, national and international stories included.

It is also the story of Wingspan, which is celebrating its quarter century, she says.

"There are take-home messages in there too, such as a way you can make a ruru nest box, and give them a habitat and enjoy wildlife while at home."

The majority of the book's photos have been taken by Kurien (Koshy) Yohannan, one of Wingspan's staff.

Debbie decided to write the book because, "it was a story that needed to be told".

She says she is also hoping the book might inspire people to help with conservation.

"This is the first time I've done anything like this. It's been a long process and couldn't have been done without Penguin Random House.

"This pre-launch event is acknowledgement of these people who have made this book possible."

She says about 50 people attended the pre-launch and some were representatives of Ngāti Whakaue, with Wingspan having recently moved onto ancestral land.

The Hunters will be available in leading bookstores and online.

There are 500 limited edition hard-cover books which have been developed as a collector's item and are available through Wingspan.

All proceeds of these editions go towards the development of the new national bird of prey centre.