Rakiura Tītī Islands Administering Body finalists in Biosecurity Awards
The Rakiura Tītī Islands Administering Body is a finalist in this year’s NZ Biosecurity Awards.
One of the body’s plans, dubbed Rikiura Titi Islands Biosecurity, is allowing Rakiura Māori to discharge their cultural kaitiakitanga obligations by preventing the establishment of pests on the Rakiura Titi Islands, so protecting taonga of the Islands.
About 70% of the Islands are rodent-free, some have never had rodents and others have had rats eradicated by Rakiura Māori with support from the Department of Conservation. The rodent-free status has enabled the transfer of taonga species to, and between, some of the islands and has further protected species already present.
The Rakiura Titi Islands Administering Body is in the running for the Te Puni Kōkiri Māori Award.
Congratulations, folks! Best of luck for the awards tonight.