In our Winter issue, we look at the power of nature-based solutions to solve some of the world’s global climate challenges while simultaneously boosting biodiversity and supporting human wellbeing. In our cover story, Hawke’s Bay farmer James Hunter shares his love for wetland conservation and the multiple benefits of farming with te taiao nature. Restoring wetlands, making room for rivers, looking after native forests, and protecting coastal ecosystems are all powerful solutions in nature.
Te Papa skink expert Geoff Patterson writes about the discovery of the Okuru skink, whose only known coastal wetland home near Haast, South Westland, has been drained and turned into pastureland. The skink’s story reveals the challenges of lizard conservation in the face of habitat loss, DOC funding cuts, climate change, and introduced predators, especially mice. But conservation is about hope and action and Forest & Bird members in Kaikōura and Warkworth are working hard to protect Hutton’s shearwater and tūturiwhatu New Zealand dotterels with encouraging results.
Writer Kerrie Waterworth looks at global and local efforts to make offshore island sanctuaries free of predators, profiling Peter Garden, retired helicopter pilot, who was part of a landmark conservation success story on South Georgia. Can we do the same on Rakiura and other large New Zealand islands? Lynn Freeman talks to locals on Rēkohu, in the Chathams, about the unique flora and seabirds of the “misty sky” islands and their collective mahi to restore the ecosystems they need to survive. We also look at Forest & Bird’s campaign to save stewardship land from being sold off, why we should vote for nature in the upcoming local elections, and legal wins that will help protect the Ngaruroro river, Mackenzie Country, and outstanding water bodies in Hawke’s Bay.
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