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Gone from Aotea
The four birds featured on the cover of the printed newsletter are residents of the past. Their ability to live, feed and reproduce on Great Barrier Island has been totally compromised by introduced mammalian predators, to the point of their local extinction.
Kokako (last seen GBI 1994) Photo: Rogan Coulbourne, Little Barrier, 1977
Stitchbird, hihi (last seen 1900’s) Photo: Dick Veitch, Little Barrier, 1978
Bellbird, korimako (1964, Rakitu) Photo: Dick Veitch, Little Barrier, 1977
N.I. Saddleback, tieke (1900’s) Photo: Peter Morrison, Mt. Bruce, 1966
Crown copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai

Local Lad Wins National School Prize

Schools across New Zealand have been taking part in a TV show called “Lets Get Inventin" and our very own Tyler Sykes from Kaitoke School was recently announced by Prime Minister John Key as the winner! The prize is a $10,000-00 Patent Package and Tyler’s invention is a top secret rat-trap. The show is due to air on TV2 next year, so all will be revealed then. Congratulations Tyler, we are very proud of you!

Local School Scoring Conservation Goals

Television personality Ruud Kleinpaste aka “The Bug Man” was recently at Okiwi School to present the school with a cheque for $5000. Ruud represented the Kids Restore New Zealand Fund which recognises outstanding efforts by young people in local conservation. Okiwi school has been maintaining a rat control and monitoring programme in the patch of remnant native lowland forest around the Okiwi Stream for some eight years.
Across Aotea Rd to the south Okiwi School have done extensive native planting in a wetland area. Ruud recognised the “outstanding efforts” of the principal Colin Griffiths and teacher Brian Reed in promoting conservation education.