Press Release from Russel Norman Green Co-Leader and Sue Kedgley Green MP

26th July 2006.

This morning Green Co-Leader Russel Norman joined with other parties in
draping signed green ribbons on Lambton Quay supporting the Karori wildlife
sanctuary.

The Karori Wildlife Sanctuary missed out on funding for a new visitor centre
from the $32 million Community Based Projects Fund, despite Prime Minister
Helen Clark saying that the visitor centre “was the sort of project the fund
aimed to help.”

“The Karori Sanctuary is an amazing place. Only two kilometres away from the
CBD you can be surrounded by our unique flora and fauna and have the chance
to see our threatened national icon – the kiwi,” the Wellington based Dr
Norman says.

“The sanctuary is a world-first and the predator proof fence allows
threatened species such as the little spotted kiwi, saddleback and the
tuatara a safe haven on New Zealand’s mainland.”

“This is essential both as a needed conservation measure but also to provide
urban dwellers and tourists the opportunity to get up close to our unique
flora and fauna and see why it is vital to protect our natural toangas,” Dr
Norman says.

“I would like to see what’s happening in Karori replicated around the
country and see more urban sanctuaries established,” he says.

Green Party MP and spokesperson for Wellington issues Sue Kedgley points out
that the Sanctuary is another draw card in attracting tourists to the
Wellington region.

“It’s an absolute scandal that the award winning and popular sanctuary has
missed out on funding with $13 million of the fund still unallocated,” she
says.

“What’s the point of the fund if it’s not going to deserving applicants like
the Karori Sanctuary,” she asks.

“The Sanctuary clearly has massive community support from its members, local
Government and also the 250 000 volunteer hours that have been put in. The
Government should acknowledge all that hard work and support this
much-needed conservation and tourist venture.

“The visitor centre is estimated to triple visitor numbers to 170 000 and is
vital to Wellingtons tourist industry and will provide the region with more
good quality jobs.”

# posted by gareth @ 2:08 PM