Recently Dave Palmer made the Trust a whopping $1000 donation, we have a bit of a history with Dave as he works for our Education, Advocacy and Training sponsor, Contact Energy. A few years ago, he was chosen by the company to participate kiwi health check on Taranaki Maunga with our Conservation Manager Sian Potier, this was due to his commitment to conservation at the Stratford Power Station. He has shared the background to this generous donation with us.
“I have just celebrated 40 years of continuous employment in the electrical energy industry. A long story that runs through NZ Electricity, Electricorp, and now Contact Energy. Anyway, Contact Energy provides a $1000.00 Service Award to acknowledge the achievement. It was my wish that this was donated to the Taranaki Kiwi Trust. The money came from Contact Energy but the intent was from myself.”
And this is the reason why Dave was compelled to share his windfall with the Trust….
“40 years ago I started tramping with one of the guys I was on shift with at the New Plymouth Station, I still tramp on the mountain. Last March I was up the Kahui on the old summit track above the Kahui Hut I came across what I’m sure was a kiwi probe mark and a short way further a kiwi feather. And then again in August I came across kiwi tracks in the snow. I’ve not seen kiwi sign (that I recognised) in the previous 40 years of tramping anywhere. Seeing the sign truly lifted my spirits. So rather than getting a material thing with the service award I wanted to leave a legacy linked to the great enjoyment and belonging that the Maunga gives me starting 40 years ago. Having had the wonderful experience of holding Koko with Sian a few years ago, again because of my connection to Contact Energy I hope that that experience can become available to more New Zealanders. I hope that the $1000 will be part of a legacy that will make Kiwi tracks the norm for anyone to see at any time.”
