Update on bid for geopark

AN advisory group will meet on Thursday to learn about progress on the Waitaki District Council’s proposed Waitaki Whitestone Unesco Global Geopark bid.

The group comprises Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher, council chief executive Fergus Power, Vanished World chairman Mike Gray, Te Runanga o Moeraki upoko David Higgins, University of Otago palaeontologist Prof Ewan Fordyce, University of Otago Business School associate dean of Maori Dr Katharina Ruckstuhl, University of Otago anthropology and archaeology head of department Prof Richard Walter, Tourism NZ general manager of public relations and major events Lauren Vosper, Tourism Waitaki general manager Margaret Munro, Waitaki Tourism Association manager James Glucksman, North Otago Museum curator Chloe Searle, Department of Conservation regional manager Sally Jones, and Otago Museum director Dr Ian Griffin.

An expression of interest must be lodged with the New Zealand Unesco commission by April 30.

Unesco describes global geoparks as ‘‘single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development’’.