Kotahi, the country’s largest export supply chain collaboration, has signed a long-term
partnership with Cape Sanctuary, a significant wildlife restoration programme at Cape
Kidnappers, in a bid to protect native New Zealand birds.

Cape Sanctuary Co-founder Andy Lowe said Kotahi’s partnership will allow two additional
New Zealand native species, the near extinct Shore Plover and endangered Blue Duck, to
be included in the Cape Sanctuary programme.

“Our philosophy is to develop long-standing partnerships with businesses, iwi and
Department of Conservation to restore native bird life to our region. Cape Sanctuary began
as a project by people passionate about bringing back and sustaining native species that
once would have existed on the Cape Kidnappers peninsula and nearby coastal
communities.

“We’re excited to partner with Kotahi, an organisation that shares our values and beliefs.
Their involvement gave us the commitment required to build the Kotahi Aviary, with support
from Department of Conservation. The new aviary is a significant step for Cape Sanctuary
enabling us to grow the programme and set new goals for the regeneration of these
important native birds,” he said.

Department of Conservation Operations Director Mr Kemper said “Having a business like
Kotahi working with Cape Sanctuary and the Department of Conservation, to protect
our natural environment, is very important if we are going to achieve increased levels of
protection for New Zealand’s rare and endangered species. This is a fantastic initiative and
another example of the great conservation going on in the Hawke’s Bay.”

Kotahi’s partnership will enable the everyday running of the aviary and support a research
project to better understand how these unique New Zealand birds can be re-established
back into the wild.

Kotahi Chief Executive David Ross says that the partnership with Cape Sanctuary is a
natural fit for Kotahi.

“We collaborate with customers and logistics partners to create a supply chain that drives
down carbon emissions and focuses on sustainable practices, moving cargo from
manufacturing sites, across land and sea, to customers around the world.

“We believe it is important for New Zealanders and New Zealand companies to take steps to
protect our unique native species. In supporting the Cape Sanctuary initiative we’re proud to
be part of a talented group of people investing both volunteer time and a love of New
Zealand’s wildlife, to ensure that future generations have the chance to experience native
species in their natural habitat.

“It is the long-term goal of the partnership to see Shore Plovers and Blue Ducks released
back into predator-free environments around New Zealand,” he said.

The native Shore Plover (Tuturuatu), one of the world’s rarest shorebirds, was chosen as
part of the Cape Sanctuary project because it is near extinction, with approximately 175
adult birds including 70 breeding pairs, left in New Zealand.

New Zealand’s iconic Blue Duck (Whio), a nationally vulnerable species that risks extinction
with a population of less than 3,000, has been impacted greatly by pest predation. Whio are
an ancient species of waterfowl, considered taonga (treasured), holding a strong cultural,
spiritual and historic connection with New Zealand.