KAURI 2000 NEWS

Welcome to the latest news from Kauri 2000. This section of our website is continually being updated so remember to check it regularly. The Kauri 2000 newsletter is issued twice a year.

Kauri 2000 is 10 Years Old

This year Kauri 2000 marked its tenth anniversary. Such milestones are a time for reflection and, as we look back over the last decade, everyone who is or has been involved with the organisation can take great pride in what has been achieved. Nearly 30,000 kauri have been planted over these 10 years. The scrapbooks and press clippings gathering news from the Trust’s beginnings tell a story of great vision, enthusiasm and hard work. It is appropriate to place a spotlight on Cliff Heraud, the founder of the trust who, with his wife Julie, set about to mark the new millennium with a positive and lasting project. Ten years later the work of the Kauri 2000 Trust is a credit to them both.

Planting 2009

Midst parties and celebrations there was work to be done. Planting continued throughout the winter with the help of our wonderful volunteers and corporate sponsors resulting in 3,300 kauri in the ground. A huge “well done” to all, particularly students and staff from St. Peters School who came all the way from Cambridge to help

At our main planting area, the Matarangi Reserve, around 2,514 trees were planted by over 50 volunteers in nine mornings, bringing the total in this area to 5,850.

Corporate and local BNZ staff once again came out planting and got about 300 trees in the ground, finishing the day with a relaxed evening at Cliff’s house.

Tairua School returned for their fourth year to Te Karo Bay, and the McNeil family planted another 100 trees on their QEII covenant at Ferry Landing.

It was good to have both the Thames Coromandel District Council and The Hauraki District Council come on board this year. Thirty kauri were planted at the William Hall Reserve in Thames with the help of Mayor Phillipa Barriball and Deputy Mayor Adrian Catran.

The Hauraki District Council is looking at planting kauri with the help of Kauri 2000 on the Hutchinson Reserve in Paeora.
Both these sites have potential to expand the Trust’s work in other areas of the Coromandel.

Scallop Festival

Kauri 2000 used this year’s Scallop Festival in Whitianga to do some fund raising. Cliff’s daughter Viv and Gary (Snapper Jack) Pitcon churned out “Crispy Thai Tempura Battered Mussels” (with a secret batter recipe) while trustees served the hungry.

Kauri Dieback

There is a shadow, however, on the horizon of kauri forests in New Zealand. The Phythopthora taxon Agathis (PTA) pathogen affecting Agathis australis (kauri) remains a serious threat to our icon tree species, especially as neither the disease nor how it is spread is fully understood. The Trust is mindful of the role we must play in educating the public about the disease.

The Trustees

As our year ends we sadly accept the resignation of trustees John Jenkison and Trudi Hayde. Over the years they have been so generous with their time, expertise, ideas and hands-on hard work and the value of their contributions to the Trust is immeasurable. However we are delighted to welcome two new trustees who have been very involved with us for many years – Jill Kaeppeli and Mark Mentzer.

Looking back over the last ten years, thanks must go to the many people who have provided leadership and good governance to build the solid base on which Kauri 2000 stands today. The Trust has always enjoyed willing support and assistance from the Department of Conservation and The Memorandum of Agreement signed with DoC last October further cemented this valued relationship.

Like the kauri, Kauri 2000 is here to last. We look forward to the next 10 years!