Annual Report 2023
The Trust has now been established for almost 22 years and it is certainly firing on all cylinders. Jobs for Nature funding received in 2021 has resulted in a real shifting of gears, and our projects are now all very well- established and resourced. Our projects all hinge on strong partnerships with a wide variety of organisations, agencies, business and funders. We have taken the time to detail these partnerships in this report as they are the backbone of the Trust’s work. What we have achieved could not be done on our own.
We were pleased to welcome two new trustees this year. Existing trustees Sam Hopkirk, Gloria Campbell, Mat Vujcich, Drew Castle and Bayley Sprott were joined by Rawiri Walsh and Tāne Manukonga. We also were fortunate to participate in the Bishops Action Foundation trainee board member initiative and Tharma Santhrasergaran attended our board meetings for much of the year, hopefully picking up valuable insights into the running of a board.
Normally, the highlights for the year all involve kiwi, but in November we were the very proud recipients of a TSB Bank sponsored Taranaki Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence award, winning the Toi Foundation Not-for- Profit Excellence category. This is testament to the work our Manager Céline Filbee has done over recent years with support from Administration Leader Nadine Paterson to implement and use excellent systems. The judges delved deeply into the processes for organisation, staff and board management, record keeping, policies, finance, and culture.
Earlier in the year, the Taranaki Kōhanga Kiwi at Rotokare, our partnership project with Rotokare Scenic Reserve Trust, won a Taranaki Regional Council Environmental award, sponsored by one of our partners Contact Energy. To top it all off, Jono Walter, our Kiwi Habitat Protection Ranger, was a recipient of a Kiwibank Local Hero award. It is a pleasure and a privilege to lead an organisation that performs highly in all aspects of its work. This success is due to the dedication of our trustees, staff, volunteers, contractors and partners, backed by incredible supporters and sponsors, with funders committed to resourcing the organisation year after year.
The people at the famed Wilkinson’s Castle in Pukearuhe, North Taranaki were kind enough to give us a discounted rate for a couple of nights while the Save the Kiwi National Kiwi Hui was on. This was an opportunity to give some of our stellar volunteers, trustees, and staff a bit of a thank you for their work. Earlier in the year, Garry Wycherley provided his beautiful venue, the Awakino River Lodge, at no cost for our annual Trust function.
Sue Hardwick-Smith
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Pictured, Nadine Paterson, Tim & Sue Hardwick-Smith, Celine Filbee and Angela & Drew Castle celebrate at the TSB Taranaki Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards 
