All Black great puts weight behind Pirongia aspirations

GUEST of honour Colin Meads presents a sponsor’s certificate to society committee member and EcoFX owner Kevin Christie. TC010508SP20

All Black legend Colin Meads was special guest at a recent function hosted by Pirongia Te Aroaro o Kahu Restoration Society for sponsors of its pest control project on Mount Pirongia.

The society’s Mangakaraa Project of intensive pest control has been underway for a year and sponsorship is one of the ways the society meets the ongoing costs of maintaining the 250 hectares of
bait stations.

‘‘The results have far exceeded expectations, with both possum and rat populations reduced to zero levels within our control
area,’’ said society chairperson Clare St Pierre. ‘‘We wanted to acknowledge the key role our sponsors played in our success and to let them know our plans to expand the area.’’

The function was held at Pirongia Forest Park Lodge. All Black great Colin Meads presented certificates to corporate and individual sponsors, and then everyone was treated to the kind of afternoon tea that rural communities are famous for.

Mrs St Pierre highlighted how conservation work sparks a strong link with the land and our identity as a nation. She said Colin Meads combines those two principles admirably.

Mr Meads shared some of his experiences relating to the environment, and was very supportive of measures to plant trees and to encourage native birds into suburbs. The tuis near his new Te Kuiti home were given as a prime example where up to 44 birds have been seen at one time feeding on the flowering kowhai there.

Mrs St Pierre said prior to the function, a number of the sponsors had downplayed the importance of their contribution and questioned the need to even be acknowledged. A higher priority for them was to get to know those behind the project and what they were trying to achieve.

Mrs St Pierre stressed that the sponsors contributions were a big deal for the society as without them the on-going work needed for the project would simply not be possible.

Holding the Lodge function with someone of Colin Meads stature, who was associated with Environment Waikato’s recent promotion selecting the seven Wonders of the Waikato, was a measure of the value with which the society viewed the sponsors.