Chairman’s report

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT - CHRIS HAWKES

Chris Hawkes, Chair, Trustee

the opportunity to chill out and enjoy the peace and harmony of native bush and streams accompanied by the song of our native birds makes us feel better....

Kia ora Koutou Katoa

The past year has been notable for the Sanctuary with our first achievement of a key purpose of intent - the reintroduction of tīeke (South Island Saddleback). Our Sanctuary is currently the only place on the Mainland where you can see and hear tīeke – for the first time in some fifty years.

Other highlights include increasing supporter numbers, now 875 from a base of under 500 this time last year, increasing visitor numbers, greater educational outreach with more school groups visits, well-attended open days, and broadening community interest reflected in the numbers and improving financial position.

Work continued to strengthen the well-being of the Sanctuary itself with ongoing maintenance ensuring the integrity of the fence; tracks were built, maintained or enhanced and safety railings added; and improvement in the eco system has been noted via increasing native vegetation, group sightings of miro miro (tom tits) and toutouwai (robins) now seen down close to the visitor entrance, or the control of noxious weeds and trees.

Marketing and promotional activity has undertaken a big workload over the past year with good results across all mediums. Further development of the visitor experience in particular has contributed to increasing awareness/support of the Sanctuary by locals - although there is still a way to go in this area.

The Sanctuary is moving forward in multiple dimensions, offering far more to the region than just its intent and stated purpose. There are numerous professional reports and much recent commentary on the importance, particularly in cities and towns, of people having access to the tranquillity of nature and quiet for the all-important personal wellbeing. In short, the opportunity to chill out and enjoy the peace and harmony of native bush and streams accompanied by the song of our native birds makes us feel better. Our Sanctuary offers all this within a few minutes’ drive from Nelson’s centre - an outstanding gem for the city.

Alongside health and wellbeing benefits is the increasing awareness of the commercial tourism aspect the Sanctuary offers to the city. It will become a reason to visit Nelson or, if holidaying in the region, to spend an extra day here to explore the Sanctuary.

The increasing contribution the Sanctuary makes in the education field, particularly with our younger folk, is readily seen. The ‘blank canvas’ we have prompts regular interest from science-based organisations to carry out research in the Sanctuary, reinforcing the importance of having access to pure streams free of introduced aquatic species, flowing through native flora and vegetation, for example, or presenting the opportunity to measure the effect of removing grazing pests on regeneration of native flora (compared/ measured on both sides of the Sanctuary’s fence).

The board of trustees and senior management are cognisant of this and very much aware of the importance of sustainability not only in terms of our environment, although clearly this is a driver, but to ensure key components are in place. We are charged with carefully managing the environmental and social risks associated with our maturing developments, ensuring our model is carefully thought through, planned, structurally sound and strong.

I would like to clarify ‘structurally’ sound with a comment or two. This refers to the board’s and senior management’s forward-planning in the vital component of sustainability mentioned earlier.

Factors such as the critical requirement of room to grow, accommodating within the future infrastructure what the Sanctuary needs to achieve its essential bio-diversity objectives; health and safety issues involving people flow, private and/or Sanctuary vehicle movements, whether just parking or access way, along with facilities; and demographics, particularly in terms of staff and our critical volunteer personnel, whether around physical capabilities or the increasing requirement of time availability – these are all key components to the Sanctuary maintaining momentum to meet future requirements.

Operational revenue, certainly on a weekly basis, will continue to be a vital component in maintaining the required financial equilibrium. To achieve and support this, important disciplines of communications, promotional activity, fund raising and developing and delivering the visitor experience are undertaken by a variety of part or full-time permanent or contract personnel to ensure ongoing viability.

The board is aware of the importance of maintaining and further developing a close relationship with the business community. Our CEO is charged with this task and has been building successful win/win partnerships with a number of organisations.

The results of his effort are evident across four sectors:

• Revenue generation including attracting subsidies, discounts, in-kind help, or assistance

• Growing the sponsorship and supporter bases, and increasing the volunteer pool

• Operational workplan support with funds or resources such as tools and equipment

• Promotional activity including events such as information evenings and successful open days resulting in increased awareness and visitor numbers

These ongoing relationships are important for the Sanctuary’s welfare and ongoing viability, hence achieving our strategic objectives.

The Sanctuary is in sound heart with the board optimistic of verifying further good news of more introductions. It is obvious but still deserves stating that the board would not even be able to initiate these discussions were it not for the sterling effort put in by all to place and maintain the Sanctuary where it is today. It is the board’s intention to see fruition of all your efforts.

I have endeavoured to convey above the board’s forward rationale along with the colour of the thinking, and the future direction it intends to move in, while addressing the five-yearly goals of our 15-year strategic vision. This encompasses our culture or people, whether supporters, visitors, staff, volunteers, or contractors. Overarching all our activity is our total commitment to the highest possible performance as far as meeting our health and safety, and well-being responsibilities, structuring our resources and direction for durability, and growth.

In closing and on behalf of the board of trustees, a big thank you along with acknowledgment of the supreme effort volunteers and staff put into the Sanctuary to ensure where it is. Simply put and often said, “It would not happen without you”. Thanks to you and your friend beside you, the future is looking positive.

I want to record a special accolade to the staff and volunteers who get out of bed in cold, squally/heavy rain conditions at 2am, traverse the dark, steep, wet, slopes in less-than-optimal conditions to temporarily stabilise and secure a fence breach. Salt of the earth, all of you; huge thanks and well done.

Nga mihi

... our total commitment to ... our health and safety, and mental wellbeing responsibilities.