Chatham Islands, New Zealand

Tena Kotou Katoa
Following is a brief newsletter from the Conservation Board which raises a couple of important issues arising from the last two meetings of the Board that were held February and May this year.

Managing the distribution and Domestic trade of whale bone
The Department are in the process of developing a workable regime to better manage domestic trade in whalebone.  As result of the Conservation Board submitting comment on the original discussion paper the Board was invited to attend the first hui to discuss possible regimes.  Shirley King represented the Board at the inaugural hui held in October last year.

Chathams Heritage and Restoration Trust (CHART)    
The Board was happy to hear that there has been a steady interest expressed from locals and visitors since the official launch of CHART in December 2008. At the Board's meeting in May,

Lois Croon as Chairperson of CHART was very happy to announce that the Trust had been granted $35k for a three year period from the Biocondition Advice Funds.  She said this grant would assist with the appointment of a part-time project coordinator to move forward with the Trust's objectives.

Future of Pest Management on the Chatham Islands
The Board has always felt strongly about taking precautions to ensure that unwanted pests do not establish themselves on the Chatham Islands. Following a letter received from Biosecurity NZ, regarding the planning for workshops to discuss improving pest management in NZ, the Board wrote a letter to the CI Council and were duly advised of the various activities that the Council provide for within the Biosecurity Quarantine Plan for the Chathams. 

The Board feels it is of utmost importance to continually raise awareness of the Biosecurity risks that we are consistently faced with and how we can help manage those risks.

Recreational Concessions
The Conservation Board have been involved in the early stages of managing concessional activity on the Chatham Islands and because the concept of concessions is very new to the Chathams they asked that the Department arrange for a second visit from Conservancy staff to help explain the issues surrounding the legal requirement for tourist operators to hold a concession. Key stakeholders within the tourist industry were provided the opportunity to discuss all issues surrounding concessions.  If you would like to know more about concessions, please contact the Chatham Area Office.   

A chance to spend a day in the bush
There is a great opportunity for anyone interested in having a days walk in the Tuku Nature Reserve and Awatotara Conservation Covenant, helping DOC staff count parea.  The last survey was done 4 years ago and this survey will determine whether the population is stabilising, or is still increasing. The survey begins when parea start breeding, this is expected to be around  28^th July.  Locals are invited to be part of the survey which will involve walking tracks within quite dense bush, quiet observation of parea looking at what parea require in the bush.  A certain level of fitness will be required, surveys will occur during most weather, provided there is visibility across valleys.  To register your interest please contact the Area Office ph 098.

Future Meeting dates - The following dates were decided for the remainder of Board meetings to be held this calendar year; next meeting date for 2009 is 5th August followed by the 4^th Nov.

If you would like any further information regarding any of the issues raised in this newsletter or would like to be sent agendas for meetings or minutes from the Boards' meetings, please contact Board Secretary, Alex McKillop or phone 03 3050098.  

Members of the Board remain; Deborah Goomes (Chair), Jo Tuanui (Deputy), Shirley King, Eileen Cameron, Lois Croon, Judy Lanauze and Celine Gregory-Hunt from Pitt Island and Dunedin member who was appointed in September 2008, Chuck Landis.

Hei konei ra

Deborah Goomes
Chairperson