On 27 August, Associate Conservation Minister Nicky Wagner, came to Ōrokonui Ecosanctuary to announce community conservation partnership funding for a number of groups and organisations in the East Otago area.
Of the three grants, the Ecosanctuary itself was given $278,000 over three years for the continuation of the work that has been completed over the last 10 years. The Landscape Connections Trusts ‘Beyond Ōrokonui’ project, of which the rūnaka has representation, was given $52,000 to carry out studies on the migration patterns and habitat health of bird species both at the Ecosanctuary and ‘beyond the fence’.
Upoko David Ellison, was asked to mihi mihi the associate minister and he wore the korowai that was made for him by Ruka Cameron, of Waitati. The main part of the korowai was made from flax which was taken from the pā harakeke at the Ecosanctuary – highly appropriate for the event.
Upoko David Ellison addresses Hon. Nicky Wagner at the Ōrokonui Ecosanctuary.