Meridian recognises 10 years of restoration efforts

Meridian Manapouri Community Fund panel member Irene Barnes releasing mohua on Pomona Island. Photoby Barry Harcourt
Meridian Manapouri Community Fund panel member Irene Barnes releasing mohua on Pomona Island. Photoby Barry Harcourt

The Pomona Island Charitable Trust has celebrated 10 years of restoration activity on Pomona and Rona Islands in Lake Manapouri, home to Meridian Energy’s largest hydro station.

Meridian has supported the Trust since 2007, contributing more than $48,000 from its Manapouri Community Fund. The Trust’s efforts have seen the islands become rat and mice free, with record numbers of birds recorded on Pomona Island in 2016.

Trust secretary Viv Shaw said the team is grateful for the Meridian funding, particularly the most recent grant of $8694, which enabled the Trust to undertake mouse eradication work on Rona Island.

“When mice were found on the island it had to stop being used as a crèche site for the critically endangered Haast kiwi,” she said.

“With the Meridian grant we were able to eradicate the mice and now Rona Island can once again be used as a home for kiwi chicks.”

Meridian’s Manapouri Community Fund chair Mat Bayliss said the company is delighted to be able to support the Pomona Island Charitable Trust.

“We believe in protecting and enhancing the natural environment for generations to come and we applaud the Pomona Island Charitable Trust on a decade of restoration efforts. We’re proud to see the success of their work,” he said.

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