Ministers Visit Maungatautari Project

Story By Julie Milne of www.maungatrust.org

The Deputy Prime Minister Dr Michael Cullen and the Hon Mark Burton took time out of their busy schedules today to visit the project to pest-proof fence Maungatautari. They were joined by Hamilton East MP Martin Gallagher s electoral agent Maxine Gillard.

This was an information day for the Ministers and high on the agenda was an examination of the pest-proof fence which is crucial to the whole project. Hence the first part of the morning was spent at Warrenheip, home of MEIT Chairman David Wallace and his wife Juliette. Warrenheip is a working example of the completed pest-proof fence built by the Xcluder fence company and Xcluder staff were on hand to discuss the technical aspects of the fence.

The highlight for both Ministers, though, was clearly the opportunity to hold Arvo, a 2 month old kiwi chick. Arvo was rescued from the Tongariro National Park as part of the BNZ kiwi recovery programme and will remain at Warrenheip until it is mature enough to defend itself against stoats.

Late morning was spent with a helicopter ride over Maungatautari landing on Bill and Sue Garland's property. This was an opportunity for MEIT S Chief Executive Mr Jim Mylchreest, Chairman David Wallace and a number of trustees to demonstrate the proposed fence in situ and for the Ministers to gain an appreciation of the scale of the project. It was also an opportunity to discuss funding options in more detail.

While the Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust was not expecting any assurances over funding from the Ministers on the day the Trust was pleased at the encouragement from both Cullen and Burton. Dr Cullen said that if it [the project] can succeed it will be a major advance in New Zealand. Burton was impressed that this project would be readily accessible to the average New Zealander.

Website: www.maungatrust.org