Aroha Kaikorai Valley Trust launch a success
The official launch of the Aroha Kaikorai Valley trust was a resounding success, drawing a crowd of over 50 people to the Kaikorai Valley College Hall on Tuesday, June 20th, 2023. The trust is immensely grateful to all those who attended.
Dr. Simon McMillan, a trustee of the AKV, served as the master of ceremonies, ensuring that the event ran smoothly. Our gathering commenced with Tania Williams from Araiteuru Marae, who started with a poignant karakia and a captivating depiction of the water's journey from the heavens, flowing through the valley, and eventually reaching the vast expanse of the sea. Many attendees later remarked on the impact of this imagery.
Paul Southworth followed, delivering an overview of the trust's conception, its sources of inspiration, and the progress achieved thus far. Southworth introduced the three principal areas of focus for the Aroha Kaikorai Valley trust: Water, Plants, and Predators.
The Kaikorai Valley trapping project takes precedence, aiming to curtail the population of possums, rats, mustelids, hedgehogs, and mice within the valley. By doing so, the project endeavors to provide the vegetation and birdlife with an opportunity to flourish once more.
Dunedin City Mayor Jules Radich also addressed the attendees, commending the initiative and acknowledging the challenge faced by the council in maintaining a presence throughout the city. Radich emphasized the significance of community-led projects in enhancing the overall well-being of the city as a whole.
Catherine Bradley then took center stage, presenting the City Sanctuary predator operation and the role of Kaikorai Valley within the broader framework. Bradley shared statistics on the eradication of predators from the greater Dunedin area. She also outlined the various operational domains and the associated challenges, underscoring the standards to be upheld to ensure the health and safety of both humans and pets, as well as the welfare of the animals affected. Additionally, Bradley discussed methods for eliminating these predators, shedding light on the types of devices being used.
In conclusion, the successful launch of the Aroha Kaikorai Valley trust not only brought together a diverse group of individuals but also highlighted the collective efforts needed to protect the valley's ecosystem, foster community well-being, and create a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.
The trust would like to thank everyone involved in the evening.
Professional Photography by Trev Hill
