$2 Million Boost For Biodiversity In Hawke’s Bay

Around 423 hectares of critically threatened native bush
in Hawke’s Bay will be fenced and protected over the next
three years, thanks to a $2 million funding partnership
between the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, QEII National
Trust (QEII), Department of Conservation and
landowners.

Hawke’s Bay Regional Council Team
Leader Principal Advisor Biosecurity and Biodiversity Mark
Mitchell says the investment is a huge win for biodiversity
in the region.

The grant is made up of contributions
from the Department of Conservation Jobs for Nature fund
($1m), Regional Council ($600k), QEII ($225k) and land
owners ($120k).

“This investment is focused on
protecting small threatened indigenous bush remnants across
Hawke’s Bay which are all that remain of the former
forests that used to blanket our region and are acting as
life-lines for our native species,” says Mr
Mitchell.

“The investment will fund about 42km of
deer fencing at 14 sites, alongside undertaking pest plant
and animal control within these sites.

“The deer
fencing will enable rapid revegetation and recovery of the
biodiversity within these sites. Unfortunately, feral deer
have become a significant pest in the region, and we need to
be doing all we can to ensure that our critically endangered
native remnants are protected.

“The Regional
Council will provide more detail about the projects that
have received the funding over the coming
months.”

QEII’s Hawke’s Bay regional
representative Troy Duncan says QEII is pleased to be
involved in the project that will see fencing in some
existing QEII covenants upgraded and deer fencing and
permanent legal protection provided to two new
sites.

“Protecting these sites with a QEII covenant
is the best way to make sure the investment being made is
enduring and will give these areas the best chance for the
biodiversity within them to thrive,” says Mr
Duncan.

“QEII is grateful for the Jobs for Nature
funding through the Department of Conservation. We’re
excited to team up with the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council
and landowners – it is a great example of how working
together can achieve enduring environmental outcomes that
will benefit future generations.”

Minister of
Conservation Kiritapu Allan has announced that 579 full-time
equivalent roles will be funded across the country through a
$34 million allocation from the Jobs for Nature fund,
administered by the Department of
Conservation.
 

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