“The awards reflect the broad range of environmental challenges that New Zealand faces and the actions being taken to address them,” Ms Adams says.

Minister Adams went on “Tackling environmental issues is not easy. It takes initiative and dedication. “The awards pay homage to the incredible efforts being undertaken in homes, schools, communities and workplaces to address the environmental challenges we face.”

There are 12 award categories that recognise individuals, businesses, communities and youth, as well as larger organisations.

For the 2012 awards, 284 nominations were received, which is an increase from last year.   The Trust Chair, Kerry-Jayne Wilson, said she was surprised and delighted that the Trust has madethe  final of these prestigious national awards.

Winners will be announced on 5 June at an awards ceremony at Parliament Buildings.

Volunteers begin building the fence

The West Coast Blue Penguin Trust and New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) are to build a penguin proof fence south of Punakaiki in an effort to stop blue penguins being killed on SH6.

Blue Penguins are a protected species and detailed monitoring by the West Coast Blue Penguin Trust has found road kill is the single biggest cause of death in the local blue penguin population.

“In the last six years at least 109 blue penguins have been reported killed along a nine kilometre stretch between Punakaiki and Fox River.  Given that it is estimated the entire population of blue penguins on the West Coast is in the very low thousands this represents a significant percentage of the local penguin population killed by vehicles on this stretch of road in less than six years,” says Trust Ranger Reuben Lane.

A penguin proof fence would stop the blue penguins from crossing the highway but still allow them access to their burrows.  NZTA is providing the materials to build a 100 metre mesh fence south of the Punakaiki River and the Penguin Trust is providing the labour with help from the Conservation Volunteers.

NZTA Senior Assets Manager Mark Pinner says NZTA appreciates the chance to work with the West Coast Blue Penguin Trust to help stem the decline in blue penguin numbers on SH6.

“Not only does this initiative have the potential to protect the penguins there is also a road safety issue.  By stopping the penguins from crossing the road it removes a driving hazard and reduces the possibility of erratic driving behaviour,” says Mr Pinner.

The Trust and NZTA is hoping the penguin proof fence will proove successful in reducing penguin deaths.

“We want to see whether this trial fence can successfully stop the penguins crossing the highway, and it will give people an idea of what a penguin proof fence will look like.  Ultimately we would like to see similar fences erected in three other hot spots between Punakaiki and Fox River,” says Mr Lane.

A similar fence erected by the Friends of Lillico Penguins in Tasmania along a major highway has been very successful in bringing down the numbers of penguins killed on the road and increasing the penguin population.

The Trust and Conservation Volunteers will begin erecting the fence on 14 March 2012.

Craig Potton loves the West Coast

Acclaimed photographer and conservationist Craig Potton is the new patron of the West Coast Blue Penguin Trust.

Mr Potton is New Zealand’s pre-eminent landscape photographer, a passionate conservationist and presenter of television series Wild Coasts and Rivers.

The photographer says he adores the West Coast and is delighted to support the excellent work the Trust is undertaking to protect blue penguins in the area.

“I defy people not to love penguins and I am happy to be associated with an organisation trying to protect them.  Penguins are universally loved and New Zealand is central to the breeding of many species,” he says.

“As a kid I remember hearing blue penguins under the bach at Golden Bay, the sad thing is you don’t hear them any more.”

Blue penguin populations are declining throughout New Zealand but research by the West Coast Blue Penguin Trust has found that, unlike other regions, traffic and dogs are the biggest threats to the penguins on the West Coast.

West Coast Blue Penguin Trust chairwoman Kerry-Jayne Wilson says the Trust was looking for a patron with a high profile whose values and approaches to conservation matched the Trust’s.

“Craig was perfect, through his publishing company he produces books that are scientifically robust yet accessible to the layperson, through his photography and television work he helps the wider public to appreciate and enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of New Zealand’s landscapes, flora and fauna,” she says.

The West Coast Blue Penguin is a charitable trust that aims to conserve blue penguins and their habitat on the West Coast.  The Trust raises funds and conducts research on the penguins and works with the community to raise awareness through education and advocacy.

Inger Perkins

Inger Perkins has taken over from Robyn as co-ordinator.  You can contact her on info@bluepenguin.org.nz
Robyn will continue to do the communications work for the Trust, you can contact her on robyn@mediafix.co.nz.

Valda and Jess at the Fox River Market

The Penguin Trust’s stall at February’s Fox River Market was popular with locals and tourists. The new penguin t-shirts were running hot with lots sold. We still have most sizes if you would like a t-shirt – they are $25 and can be purchased through info@bluepenguin.org.nz.  Thanks to Valda, Jess and Kerry-Jayne who looked after the stall and passed on lots of information about penguins to visitors.

James & Emily Chisnall show off their penguin house

Sections are running hot at Penguinville with over 25 groups of children building a penguin “house” in the first three days.

Penguinville is part of the Driftwood and Sand Sculpture Festival.  Children build a penguin house on their own beach section with prizes being awarded on Sunday for Most Natural, Best Construction, and Most Creative.

It is proving to be very popular with children with over half the sections gone already.  Local children and those as far away as Denmark have built penguin houses in the last three days.

“We are delighted with the children’s response to Penguinville, it is a great way of making them aware that penguins live on our West Coast beaches and the houses we have seen so far show some wonderful creativity,” says Trust Co-ordinator Robyn Janes.

On Friday there will be a penguin painting workshop at 9.30am.  Register at the caravan on Hokitika beach, cost is $12 per child which includes a life-size plaster penguin.