4
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT - CHRIS HAWKES 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.
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....
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.
