Angie Warren-Clark Labour MP

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the celebration of the Bay Conservation Alliance launch with Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage.

The Bay Conservation Alliance is a fantastic initiative where they work by assisting largely volunteer-run ecological restoration/conservation community groups by providing a professional support team tasked with ‘taking the load' off volunteers so they can get on with practical field work.

The work they're doing with Aongatete, Maketu Wetlands and Otanewainuku Kiwi Trust shows just how vital it is that volunteers have time to get stuck in on the ground.

Also at this event, Robert McGowan was awarded the Loder Cup, which is one of New Zealand's oldest conservation awards for his outstanding work ensuring matauranga Maori in conservation management. His contribution to the conservation of New Zealand's flora has been through his endless support of others, re-shaping our culture towards a greater appreciation for our land.

Robert also chairs the Kaimai-Mamaku Catchments Forum. The forum's plan for catchment management based around people, water, and pest control – otherwise known as Bringing Back Our Birds – is magnificent and something I wholeheartedly endorse for our forests.