25 August 2022 Planting on the Banks Peninsula

Dr Colin Meurk

Lincoln University 

Dr Colin Meurk, at Manaaki Whenua, Canterbury and Lincoln Universities, has theoretical and participant interests in biogeography, ecological restoration and design, landscape function, urban ecology and biophilia, subantarctic islands, conservation biology, citizen science (https://inaturalist.nz/), people-nature connectivity, and ‘futures’ solutions (http://cwea.org.nz/lectures.php#topline). Colin is on numerous councils, trusts, advisory and steering groups (ECan Biosecurity), for urban great walks, eco-literacy, and student liaison. He has received a Christchurch Civic Award, Loder Cup, Ecology in Action Award (NZ Ecological Society), Golden Foot Award ( http://christchurch360trail.org.nz/), supreme Horticultural Design award (2012 Ellerslie International Flower Show), and most recently an ONZM.

Penny Carnaby

Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust

 Penny is an enthusiastic Banks Peninsula resident with homes in Lyttelton, Holmes Bay, and a shared place at Otanerito. She has been supporting conservation projects on the Peninsula for over 30 years and has recently signed a BPCT Conservation Covenant Deed protecting the biodiversity found at their Holmes Bay property in perpetuity. 

In her professional life Penny was the National Librarian and CEO of the National Library of NZ,  Te Puna Matauranga o Aotearoa, 2003-2010 . She was also University Librarian at Macquarie University in Sydney and Professor of Digital Knowledge Systems and University Librarian at Lincoln University.

Shireen Helps

Owner and Founder, Pohatu Penguins

Shireen is a fourth generation farmer on Banks peninsula. When Shireen and her husband moved to Pohatu there were heaps of penguins, but as the years rolled on they discovered that the populations were dropping all around the peninsula and that they were lucky to have some left. They decided to do something. A quick look around the hills and they realized that the main reason for the population decrease was the introduction of land predators such as ferrets and stoats. They began the laborious job of trapping. Many traps are set high above the hills in thick bush – it’s not an easy job! After a few years of diligent trapping and other conservation efforts they saw the penguin colony double. Along with predation, human disturbances can also disturb and impact the penguins. In order to minimize human disturbances they began running penguin tours so that they could show people these beautiful creatures, but in a controlled environment to minimize impact. And to these day these tours also directly fund the much needed revenue to continue their conservation work.