One of New Zealand’s most ambitious and creative conservation projects, Reconnecting Northland, is entering an exciting new phase of its life. WWF-New Zealand has been one of the organisations that set it on its feet, but it’s now up and running!
The programme aims for region-wide ecological restoration, focusing on healthy relationships between humans, water, and land. Based in The Orchard in Whangārei, it has partnerships throughout Northland.
“We now find ourselves in a really exciting phase and are enthused by what the future holds for this organisation and its young, passionate and vibrant team,” said Eamon Nathan, Pou Manatū Reconnecting Northland.
“Reconnecting Northland has undergone a significant transformation through the past 18-months. WWF-NZ has been a critical partner since inception of the programme and was essential in the transition to becoming an independent entity.”
Flagship projects include He Ripo Kau, a large-landscape initiative. It involves a range of hapū, marae, community groups, agencies, research institutes and education providers working in the greater Hokianga region, including the internationally significant Kauri forests of Waipoua and Warawara.
“It’s incredibly exciting to see Reconnecting Northland grow and flourish, like the land they work to restore,” said Livia Esterhazy, Chief Executive Officer at WWF-New Zealand. “We’ve been so proud to help set up this amazing project, and will continue to support it in other ways.”
Initiated in 2012, Reconnecting Northland has undertaken rigorous development and re-launched with a trust model last year. It’s fast becoming a world leader in the new field of connectivity conservation.
Recent new staff appointments include Celia Witehira (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa), Sian Leith, and Ash Holwell, expanding the connectivity, project and operational capabilities of the innovative programme.
WWF-New Zealand is proud to have supported this landscape-scale restoration project since its infancy, together with The Tindall Foundation, Foundation North, and the HSBC water programme.
