Kia ora!

As we head towards the end of the year and the festive season, we wanted to say a big thank you to all of our supporters, donors, members and volunteers for your contributions to Project Island Song this year.

From the Project Island Song team we wish you all a very Meri Kirihimete and wonderful 2024.

A big thank you to all the volunteers who helped make the Paihia and Russell Christmas Parade float a success! 

Shelley Arlidge                                                                        Carola Guerresi

Since the last newsletter we have said a fond farewell to Shelley Arlidge our wonderful Administrator who decided to retire in October 2023.

Although gone from the operations team Shelley wanted to stay involved in Project Island Song so decided to stand for the Committee and is now the Guardians of the Bay of Islands Committee Secretary. Congratulations on both your retirement and appointment to the committee Shelley!

With Shelley departing we get to welcome Carola Guerresi as our new Administrator. Carola brings her skills and expertise in all things administrative, and finance related. Welcome to the team Carola!

We're thrilled and overwhelmed at the popularity of the Project Island Song 2024 calendars, this year we sold over 1000, a record for us. We want to acknowledge those who make this possible…

Darren Markin: Darren is the incredible photographer and initiator of the Project Island Song calendar. Donating his images to Project Island Song is an incredible privilege for us, thank you!

William Fuller: Guardians of the Bay of Islands Co-Chair, William is key in selling the calendars and liaising with other vendors ensuring as many calendars are out there as possible.

Vendors: Without the following vendors we wouldn't be able to sell as many calendars as we do, a big thank you to:

Redwoods Garden Centre, Kerikeri

Unichem, Kerikeri

The Junction Café, Puketona

That Coffee Bloke, Te Haumi

Third Wheel Coffee Co, Paihia

Opua General Store, Opua

Cool Change Charters, Opua

Russell Bookshop, Russell

Long Beach Coffee Cart, Russell

Russell Booking & Information Centre, Russell

Wish Gifts, Russell

Purchasers: Thank you to everyone who purchased a calendar this year, it makes a real difference in what we can achieve. We hope you enjoy turning over each month to reveal Darren's beautiful photography of birds of the Bay of Islands throughout 2024.

With the holiday season and summer almost upon us, here are a few things Project Island Song related to keep you entertained!

For the keen readers:

You can find our 2022-2023 Annual Report on the website or click on the image.

To keep the kids (and adults) entertained:

Check out our activities online or click on the image. They are easy to download or print from home they include colouring in, word searches, activity finders and spot the difference.

Keeping the islands safe:

Heading out to the islands with your friends and whanau over the summer? Please help to keep the islands pest-free and keep our vulnerable wildlife safe by giving your gear the all clear before leaving the mainland. We've included our quick checklist below for you to use before you head out and have fun.