Presidents Report 2014 – 2015
Over the past 12 months the Society has held 10 official work days and assisted in
other activities including trout removal works from the koaro protection area. While a
small group of dedicated volunteers attend every work day, it has been heartening to
see some new faces as well.
We have been greatly assisted in maintenance tasks by the ground staff of Te
Tahuhu O Tawakeheimoa Trust, who regularly tend to the principal walkways,
adjacent gardens and the golf course, leaving us to focus on our pet project - “the
Ynys Fraser Walkway”. With a donation from DOC we were able to plant a further
700 trees in area P last winter. We successfully published our book on the history of
the Springs and have sold over 100 copies. We fare welled Paul and Yvon Sampson
from the District in November, but not from the Society, and were able to recognise
Paul’s huge contribution to the Society by awarding Life Membership. We have
removed a further 100 predators from the reserve, and have witnessed a 24%
increase in fantail numbers throughout the Reserve as a result of our trapping
efforts. In February, we united with Ngati Rangiwewehi to co-host an educational
meet and greet day to try and stimulate growth of the Society. While this raised
public awareness and netted many favourable comments, it didn’t result in more
members.
All of this would not have been possible without significant in-put from members and
supporters alike, and I take this opportunity to acknowledge some special
contributors to the Societies outcomes;
• Our patron Ynys Fraser who continues to inspire in so many ways
• Our committee, especially the officers, vice President Lorraine Parker, Secretary
Sally French, and Treasurer Cherry Douglas.
• Paul Sampson has made a huge contribution to the successful production of our
book on the history of the Springs.
• DOC personnel at Lakes Area Office continue to support the society in many
ways, particularly Paul Cashmore and Kristina Thompson and the koaro project
team.
• Te Rangikaheke and Toro Bidois of Ngati Rangiwewehi who have met with us
regularly, and been instrumental in helping us to understand the need for change
to the governance of the Reserve.
• Barry and Lynn Menzies for all their extraordinary efforts above and beyond the
call of regular work days.
• Stephen Parker for his in-put to the koaro restoration project.
• Our webmaster Herma Snell who, even though residing abroad, continues to
maintain and improve our popular website makes it a very attractive fascia for the Society.
• To all the trappers who have helped reduce the nasty critters so crippling to our
indigenous wildlife at the Reserve.
• Finally, to all our members who turn up to make a positive difference to the
appearance and well-being of the Hamurana Springs environs.
I apologise to any one overlooked, and sincerely thank you too.
In last years report I called for a need to focus on getting back to basics, sticking to
our core areas of operation, and keeping our lives simple. It seems, somewhat
inadvertently, that we have done just that. Our dwindling membership forced the
Society to re-assess it’s position, and at a spirited Special Meeting in June this year
we elected to “down size” our operations to suit our current means. This once again
showed the true spirit and passion of the members, to come up with a workable
solution in the face of doom.
We do make a difference, we are recognised and supported by our iwi, and we will
continue to add and enhance to the positive well being of this special environ.
In closing, having served as President for two years, I step down from that role and
will not be seeking re-election to the committee this year. I am very grateful of all the
support received from committee, members, DOC and Te Tahuhu O Tawakeheimoa
Trust, and I know that support will continue to serve the incoming President.
Kerry Oates
14 July
