Kia ora!

The sun is finally beginning to shine and we're pleased to bring you lots of exciting news in our Spring newsletter. 

There are a lot of firsts... we have announced the winner of our first ever raffle, we have taken on our first biosecurity dog check of the islands and we have our first exclusive offer for our members in conjunction with Kiwicare.

We've also got information on our AGM (Sunday 29th October), where to buy your 2024 Project Island Song calendars and a student entrepreneur donating to Project Island Song.

Late September was the first time the Guardians of the Bay of Islands took on the responsibilities and costs for routine biosecurity dog checks on the islands. This is one of the responsibilities being handed over from the Department of Conservation (DOC).

Miriam alongside her trusted rodent dogs Will (left) & Ahu (right) visited priority sites on Motuarohia, Moturua and Urupukapuka on 27th and 29th September checking for any sign of rodents.

We're pleased to say that no rodents were detected in the areas that were covered.

We'd like to acknowledge and thank the private landowners for enabling the checks to take place on their properties, and thank the Stout Trust and private donors who have enabled us to cover the costs of this vital work, including the new workboat that has made it possible.

The rodent dogs are just one of a number of conservation dog checks (mustelid, cat, skink and ant dogs) that need to take place throughout the year, alongside regular human surveillance, to ensure any pest incursion is dealt with swiftly.

The next dog checks will be taking place in late October and early November. 

As we begin to enter the summer season with lots of visitors and boaties enjoying the islands we ask that everyone helps keep these islands pest-free by giving your gear the all clear prior to leaving the mainland. 

Use the simple checklist below to check your bags, boats, and camping gear for any unwanted visitors to the islands.

2pm – 4pm, Sunday 29th October

Russell Bowling Club, 15 Church Street, Russell 0202

with guest speaker Don McFarlane from Auckland Zoo

Light refreshments will be provided with a cash bar available.

Please RSVP by Friday 20th October with attendance or apologies as space in the venue is limited. Members have priority, so please respond as soon as possible to secure your place.

We are delighted to present Don McFarlane, from Auckland Zoo, as our speaker following the AGM.

Don McFarlane is curator of ectotherms at Auckland Zoo and has worked in nature conservation for 20 years. His career began at London Zoo working to reintroduce critically endangered Partula snails to islands in French Polynesia.

His undergraduate research, however, involved studying the gut parasites of Tawhiti Rahi wētā at London Zoo where he developed an enduring passion for all things wētā and Aotearoa.

Nominations to join the committee:

To nominate someone for a position on the committee, please fill out and return a nomination form. You can also view the minutes of last year's AGM here. Audited accounts will be sent when available.

Thank you for your ongoing support of the Guardians of the Bay of Islands. Every contribution helps advance our work - we couldn't do it without you.

We hope you can join us – remember to RSVP by Friday 20th October to info@projectislandsong.co.nz

We're excited to announce a collaboration with pest control and garden experts Kiwicare, offering a 10% discount on Kiwicare products exclusively for Project Island Song members.

We will be sending our members more details about the collaboration and how to claim the discount in the coming weeks.

Not a Project Island Song member yet? Don't worry, it's easy to sign up and we have an option for everyone:

Students: $15 a year

Individuals: $25 a year

Whānau/Family (same household): $40 a year

Sign up here.

Own a business and want to support Project Island Song?

Business members will also be eligible to access this 10% discount on the Kiwicare range, helping you to keep pests under control and support our native wildlife around your operation.

Check out our Business Membership option here and sign up for just $275/year.

We now have 22 fantastic local businesses signed up as members who are passionate about making a positive impact in the Bay of Islands.

By becoming a member of Project Island Song, you’ll be joining an awesome community working together to protect and regenerate these islands for future generations.

Our raffle was drawn on Thursday 21st September, and we are delighted to announce that the winning ticket was number 1165, bought by Tom from Auckland.

Congratulations Tom! We are sure that he will enjoy this incredible opportunity to escape to Eagles Nest with friends and whānau, and we look forward to showing them the regenerating wildlife on the islands.

As this was our first ever raffle, we launched it with no real idea of what to expect, and have been really amazed by the response, with 443 people buying nearly 1,400 tickets! 

This means that the raffle has raised more than $17,000 for the wildlife of Ipipiri. This is a fantastic result that will make a big contribution to our ability to keep the islands pest-free, and protect the native species that call them home. While only one person can win the prize, the outcomes of this raffle will certainly benefit us all. 

Thank you to everyone who took part, and the many businesses, community groups and supporters who helped to spread the word - we couldn't have done this without you. 

Most of all, we are hugely grateful to Eagles Nest for their remarkable generosity in donating the prize that made all of this possible!

Don't miss out on the 2024 Project Island Song calendar, last year they sold out by the end of October, so get in quick!

We're pleased to say they are still just $20. Thanks to Darren Markin, who generously donates his time and photography, all profits come to Project Island Song.

You can pick up a calendar from the following locations or contact the Project Island Song office to have it posted* out to you. Email info@projectislandsong.co.nz with how many you'd like and your postal address. 

*p&p fee will apply for orders posted out.

Each year the students at Springbank School, Kerikeri hold a market to sell items they have made.

This year, the market was held on Sunday 17th September. 

Springbank student Talia first got involved with Project Island Song when she joined our Floating Classrooms programme with her class in 2022. This year she was once again keen to support Project Island Song through her 'business' at the Springbank School Market Day.

Talia has been wonderfully creative and made game boards from recycled materials and donated 25% of her profits to Project Island Song.

Ka Pai Talia and thank you!

Photos: Talia with General Manager Richard Robbins and Talia's games below

October

Volunteering

Check out our volunteering page to find out more about getting involved with Project Island Song. 

Bay of Islands Walking weekend, Thursday 12 – Sunday 15 October

The 2023 Bay of Islands Walking weekend has so many walks it covers four days. Visit the website for full details of walks available and bookings.

This year the Russell Top 10 Holiday Park are offering 30% off to walkers for the long weekend of Thursday 12 to Sunday 15 October 2023. Email them directly to receive this great deal. To see what accommodation options are available by visit their website.

Guardians of the Bay of Islands AGM, Sunday 29 October

Russell Bowling Club

2pm - 4pm

Light refreshments provided, cash bar available.

Guest speaker: Don MacFarlane, Auckland Zoo.

RSVP by Friday 20th October

November

Russell Annual Flower Show, Friday 3 & Saturday 4 November

Come and visit the Russell Annual Flower Show this November, Project Island Song will be having a stand on the Village Green in Russell as part of the event. We're also looking for volunteers to help on the stand. 

Bay of Islands A&P Show, Saturday 11th November

Project Island Song will be at the Bay of Islands A&P Show, it's a wonderful day out for the whole whanau. More information about the day can be found on the shows website. We're also looking for volunteers to help on the stand. 

December

Christmas Parades

Paihia: Friday 1 December from 5.30pm 

Russell: Sunday 10 December from 3pm

Keen to volunteer to be part of the Project Island Song float? Email us: volunteer@projectislandsong.co.nz