Ōmokoroa conservation advocate Christina Cleaver has been honoured with the Bay Conservation Alliance Trophy for outstanding contribution to conservation in the Bay of Plenty, recognising nearly a decade of tireless work protecting the region’s birdlife.

Cleaver, the long-standing leader of the Ōmokoroa Bird Group, has been the driving force behind local bird conservation since 2017.

Her mission has been to raise awareness of the endangered and at-risk species that rely on the Ōmokoroa Peninsula’s estuaries, reserves and coastal habitats.

Cleaver said godwits were what first pulled her into the bird group. “I fell in love with the godwits crossing the peninsula twice-a-day,” she said.

“When the supermarket opened and the resident population grew, I thought I must let people know about the godwits. It was a mission to protect them.”

Known for her determination and high standards, Cleaver has built a legacy of community-driven conservation projects.

Her work

She founded and has organised the Ōmokoroa Godwit Festival for the past four years and curates the annual Birds of a Feather exhibition. She also contributes nationally through citizen-science work, including shorebird and wader counts and bittern surveys.

A passionate photographer, she contributed many of the images to the newly released Birds of Ōmokoroa Peninsula book – a project she also led – and developed interpretive signage installed across local reserves to help residents learn about local species and their habitats.

Cleaver has been an outspoken advocate for recognising the impacts of Ōmokoroa’s rapid urbanisation on vulnerable bird species. Her work championing the mountain-to-sea bird corridor and hands-on restoration efforts at Tranquil Reserve, have helped galvanise community support for local conservation.

Despite the award recognising her individual efforts, Cleaver is quick to acknowledge the many people behind the scenes.

“My husband Max is always backing me,” she said. “He comes bittern listening with me, monitoring the Waipapa stream and helps put up signs.”

Community input

Cleaver also credited the Ōmokoroa Lions Club for assistance with signage and tree planting, and said community support had been crucial for the Godwit Festival.

“When we planned the festival with zero budget, Alison Badger, festival coordinator said, ‘let’s ask the local real estate agencies’, and they were so helpful,” Cleaver said.

“FreshChoice Ōmokoroa donated sausages and bread for the four festivals at no charge. It’s been fantastic community input – not just me. I’m really proud of this community.”

Ōmokoroa Point School had also played a key role, said Cleaver. Principal Sandra Portegys attended the first festival and was so inspired by the story of the kuaka (godwit) that she adopted the bird as a metaphor for resilience and aspiration within the school.

The key

“She is the key to opening up protection for the godwits here,” Cleaver said. “The school got behind the festival and helped people learn about these amazing birds that live here.”

Awarded for her outstanding contribution to conservation in the Bay of Plenty, Christina Cleaver from the Ōmokoroa Bird Group holds her trophy, surrounded by others from Ōmokoroa Environmental Managers Inc. Photo / Supplied

The recent book project was also a community effort. The Ōmokoroa Centre Trust, which runs the local op shop, funded the full $5500 cost of producing the book and accompanying pamphlets.

“I have a whole team behind me,” Cleaver said. “My sister, Evelyn Hoddinott, edited all the photos and I couldn’t have done it without Peter Goad, a retired graphic designer who designed and edited the new updated Birds of the Ōmokoroa Peninsula book, and is one of our pest-free coordinators.”

Other winners

Five people were presented with the BCA Trophy at the organisation’s recent AGM, recognising exceptional contributions to conservation across the region. Other recipients were Paula Hudson, community impact manager, on behalf of TECT; Lisa Hickling, research and evaluation manager/kaitiakitanga lead, on behalf of BayTrust; Tāne Lawless from Rotoiti 15; and Peter Cavanagh from Ōpotiki’s Motu Trails Charitable Trust.

For more information on Bay of Plenty conservation initiatives, visit: bayconservation.nz.