Latest news with #PredatorFree
Scoop
12-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Rising From Transition To Triumph: Volunteer Great Lake Taupō Celebrates One Year Of Renewed Purpose
Press Release – Volunteer Great Lake Taupo Volunteers whod like to explore opportunities or learn how to connect with causes close to their heart are encouraged to come along on June 7th or book a one-on-one krero with us at Waiora House. When the Taupō Council of Social Services (TCOSS) closed its doors after 30+ years of dedicated service last year, the future of local volunteer coordination hung in the balance. What could have been the end of an era instead became the catalyst for remarkable renewal. On his final day as Volunteer Great Lake Taupō (VGLT) Coordinator under TCOSS, Julian Bishop launched COMAVOL—the inaugural Community and Volunteer Expo—planting the seed for what would become a flourishing movement. A Critical Transition In the eleventh hour, two crucial lifelines emerged: emergency funding from the Department of Internal Affairs and the welcoming embrace of a new umbrella organisation, the Tongariro Natural History Society Inc. (Project Tongariro). Known for conservation initiatives like Greening Taupō, Kids Greening, and Predator Free programmes, Project Tongariro's commitment to community and environment proved the perfect match for VGLT's vision. 'We are deeply grateful to Kiri Te Wano, CEO of Project Tongariro, and its Board of Trustees, who championed the transition and provided a much-needed bridge,' says Bishop, who continues to lead VGLT with the same passion that has defined his tenure. 'The support of long-time partners like Malcolm Flowers, Mad Media, and Quality Print ensured our vision had not just momentum, but a home to grow.' From Survival to Thriving What began as a rescue mission has evolved into a renaissance. In just twelve months, VGLT has: Established a new, highly-trained Board of Trustees committed to governance excellence Secured charitable trust status, creating a solid foundation for future growth Transformed COMAVOL into a flagship annual event showcasing community impact Pioneered micro-volunteering opportunities that make giving back more accessible Built strategic partnerships across the district to amplify community efforts Hosted the prestigious Volunteer Centre Network Aotearoa (VCNA) Hui Secured crucial operational funding through the Taupō District Council Accelerator Fund Welcomed Tremains as the naming sponsor for the Volunteer Service Awards Leadership for the Future The new VGLT Board brings diverse expertise and unified purpose: Michelle Simpson (Chair) – Strategic leadership from the mental health and addiction support sector – Independent Living CHOICES Ian Jackson – Extensive public service and governance experience Tania Abel (Treasurer) – Professional accounting expertise from Strettons Jane Fogden (Secretary) – Deep volunteer sector knowledge as one founders of Volunteer Kapiti Abhinav Batta – Commercial acumen as current President of the Taupō Business Chamber Looking Forward 'Last year, we weren't sure if Taupō would still have a volunteer centre. This year, we've never been busier,' reflects Bishop. The 2025 COMAVOL Community and Volunteer Expo, scheduled for June 7th, is already shaping up to eclipse last year's successful debut. Additionally, the Repair Café returns on June 28th—a collaboration with Bike Taupō, Taupō District Council, the Timebank Community Garden, Project Tongariro and VGLT. Join the Movement Volunteer Great Lake Taupō exists because Taupō believes in its volunteers and understands that transformative change happens through collective action. For organisations seeking volunteer support who cannot attend COMAVOL, VGLT stands ready to help connect them with willing hands and passionate hearts. 'We don't just stand on the shoulders of those who came before,' says Bishop. 'We move forward arm in arm, building a more connected, empowered district through every act of generosity, every shared event, and every meaningful contribution.' Whether you're a local wanting to lend a hand or simply curious about what's happening in your community, COMAVOL is your invitation to get involved. Volunteers who'd like to explore opportunities or learn how to connect with causes close to their heart are encouraged to come along on June 7th or book a one-on-one kōrero with us at Waiora House. Just call, email, or visit to arrange a time. Now more than ever, Taupō needs its volunteers, and we're here to help you find your perfect match..
Scoop
12-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
Rising From Transition To Triumph: Volunteer Great Lake Taupō Celebrates One Year Of Renewed Purpose
When the Taupō Council of Social Services (TCOSS) closed its doors after 30+ years of dedicated service last year, the future of local volunteer coordination hung in the balance. What could have been the end of an era instead became the catalyst for remarkable renewal. On his final day as Volunteer Great Lake Taupō (VGLT) Coordinator under TCOSS, Julian Bishop launched COMAVOL—the inaugural Community and Volunteer Expo—planting the seed for what would become a flourishing movement. A Critical Transition In the eleventh hour, two crucial lifelines emerged: emergency funding from the Department of Internal Affairs and the welcoming embrace of a new umbrella organisation, the Tongariro Natural History Society Inc. (Project Tongariro). Known for conservation initiatives like Greening Taupō, Kids Greening, and Predator Free programmes, Project Tongariro's commitment to community and environment proved the perfect match for VGLT's vision. "We are deeply grateful to Kiri Te Wano, CEO of Project Tongariro, and its Board of Trustees, who championed the transition and provided a much-needed bridge," says Bishop, who continues to lead VGLT with the same passion that has defined his tenure. "The support of long-time partners like Malcolm Flowers, Mad Media, and Quality Print ensured our vision had not just momentum, but a home to grow." From Survival to Thriving What began as a rescue mission has evolved into a renaissance. In just twelve months, VGLT has: Established a new, highly-trained Board of Trustees committed to governance excellence Secured charitable trust status, creating a solid foundation for future growth Transformed COMAVOL into a flagship annual event showcasing community impact Pioneered micro-volunteering opportunities that make giving back more accessible Built strategic partnerships across the district to amplify community efforts Hosted the prestigious Volunteer Centre Network Aotearoa (VCNA) Hui Secured crucial operational funding through the Taupō District Council Accelerator Fund Welcomed Tremains as the naming sponsor for the Volunteer Service Awards Leadership for the Future The new VGLT Board brings diverse expertise and unified purpose: Michelle Simpson (Chair) – Strategic leadership from the mental health and addiction support sector - Independent Living CHOICES Ian Jackson – Extensive public service and governance experience Tania Abel (Treasurer) – Professional accounting expertise from Strettons Jane Fogden (Secretary) – Deep volunteer sector knowledge as one founders of Volunteer Kapiti Abhinav Batta – Commercial acumen as current President of the Taupō Business Chamber Looking Forward "Last year, we weren't sure if Taupō would still have a volunteer centre. This year, we've never been busier," reflects Bishop. The 2025 COMAVOL Community and Volunteer Expo, scheduled for June 7th, is already shaping up to eclipse last year's successful debut. Additionally, the Repair Café returns on June 28th—a collaboration with Bike Taupō, Taupō District Council, the Timebank Community Garden, Project Tongariro and VGLT. Join the Movement Volunteer Great Lake Taupō exists because Taupō believes in its volunteers and understands that transformative change happens through collective action. For organisations seeking volunteer support who cannot attend COMAVOL, VGLT stands ready to help connect them with willing hands and passionate hearts. "We don't just stand on the shoulders of those who came before," says Bishop. "We move forward arm in arm, building a more connected, empowered district through every act of generosity, every shared event, and every meaningful contribution." Whether you're a local wanting to lend a hand or simply curious about what's happening in your community, COMAVOL is your invitation to get involved. Volunteers who'd like to explore opportunities or learn how to connect with causes close to their heart are encouraged to come along on June 7th or book a one-on-one kōrero with us at Waiora House. Just call, email, or visit to arrange a time. Now more than ever, Taupō needs its volunteers, and we're here to help you find your perfect match..
RNZ News
07-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Predator Free Wellington faces funding shortfall
money conservation 17 minutes ago Predator Free Wellington is facing a shortfall of 1.75 million dollars a year, due to a drop in government funding. Environment reporter Kate Green took a tour of its workshop.
RNZ News
07-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Predator Free Wellington faces $1.75m annual shortfall
Predator Free Wellington operational field support officer Craig Keen. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Predator Free Wellington is facing a shortfall of $1.75 million annually due to a decrease in funding from next year. The group has successfully eradicated rats from the Miramar peninsula and turned its attention toward the central city, hopeful it can persevere. On Wednesday, the team showed National Party MP Catherine Wedd, who chairs Parliament's environment committee, and the media around its Wilton-based workshop. Operational field support officer Craig Keen said they were always chasing that last one percent of rats. "There's the easy ones that you can get, and then it's the hard ones at the very end," he said. "There's all these different tricks, and over time, it's been developed - we've borrowed from other places, but we've also developed some of our own things." Fix and Fogg peanut butter and Best Foods mayonnaise are a delicious treat for rats, ferrets, stoats and weasels. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Scattered on benchtops around the workshop were chew cards infused with Fix and Fogg peanut butter, and Best Foods mayo - a delicious treat for rats, ferrets, stoats and weasels. "Things that we use the most, that is, the most effective kill - poison." Bridificoum was placed in lockable plastic boxes, in the form of chunks on kebab sticks meant to be nibbled, or pellets, which the rat could take back to its burrow and "eat at its own leisure". There were chew sticks infused with bio markers, to track rats to their favourite spots, and Goodnature traps, which automatically reset after each kill, making hard-to-reach places easier to service. Project director James Willcocks said after success in Miramar, phase two, which was currently underway, expanded the trapping area west across the city, from the CBD down to Island Bay. Project director James Willcocks. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone "With Miramar being the first phase of our project, that was all around proof-of-concept, and trying to figure out how to do this stuff for the very first time, because it's never been done anywhere in the world before," he said. "Now that we've made that recipe, our role is to refine that, so we need to harder, we need to go faster, and therefore more cheaply." Ninety percent of the organisation's budget went towards field operations - with more than 11,000 bait stations and traps deployed, the team had conducted 74,000 trap checks and 91,000 bait station checks in the past year. There were 140,000 chew cards monitored, two rat detector dogs Kimi and Rapu, and their handler Sally, and 520 cameras in the field producing 389,536 images. Some of the toolds used. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone But from next year, the organisation faced a shortfall in funding. Its work programme cost $4m a year, dropping to $3m in 2028, as it became more efficient. In previous years, the government had provided funding through the Crown-owned company Predator Free 2050 of $2m annually - but come the 2025/2026 financial year, that would drop to $500,000 a year. Rob Forlong, chief executive of Predator Free 2050 Limited, said the situation was not unique. "With the conclusion of the Jobs for Nature and Provincial Growth Fund programmes, PF2050 Limited's funding pool has reduced by approximately two-third. This means that six projects, including Predator Free Wellington, continue to be funded, albeit at a lower level than previously." Funding would conclude for the remaining 10 projects PF2050 had partnered with, and to minimise the impact, it had been working with the affected projects and a professional fundraiser to help them raise money from other sources. Funding for Predator Free Wellington also came from the city and regional councils, the NEXT Foundation - which was also winding up - plus other smaller other grants and revenue. Predator Free Wellington's funding shortfall. Photo: SUPPLIED / PREDATOR FREE WELLINGTON Willcocks said: "We're fine for this financial year, and then into next year and ongoing, we're facing a deficit of $1.75 million annually - and that's at our current rate of spend." "Obviously we've got that plan to expand into larger areas, and keep the momentum up." The government, through the Department of Conservation, released discussion documents this week to garner public feedback on a number of questions, including the future of Predator Free 2050. One of the draft 2030 goals was to eradicate rats, mustelids and possums from one major city - and Wellington was well on its way. Another topic for discussion was whether to add mice, hedgehogs and feral cats to the list of target species - which Willcocks pointed out would require more tools, and more money. Craig Keen and Catherine Wedd at Predator Free Wellington's workshop. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Catherine Wedd told RNZ it was amazing to see the knowledge and data Predator Free Wellington could share with the rest of the country, and the government was committed to a predator free future. "That's the outcome that we want to achieve, and of course we're committed to protecting our environment and our biodiversity." But she would not be drawn on whether any more funding was on the cards. Predator Free Wellington is facing a shortfall of $1.75 million annually. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone Conservation Minister Tama Potaka told RNZ earlier this week: "We need to ensure that the good work that's taken place over the last few years, for example Predator Free, and some of the Jobs for Nature projects and others, is continued and we don't lose ground." New funding was something "that would be deliberated on over successive budgets". Feedback on the discussion documents would be taken into account. Department of Conservation deputy director-general for public affairs Sia Aston said Jobs for Nature had always been time limited. "Predator Free 2050 is critical to addressing the threat of introduced predators to our unique nature, and Predator Free Wellington has achieved amazing conservation outcomes for the region." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
