Kea trust receives funding boost from NZSki

THE Kea Conservation Trust is getting a financial boost from skifield owner NZSki, with a promise of $50,000 a year until 2023.

NZSki chief executive Paul Anderson said in a media statement it would work with the trust on finding and protecting kea, educating visitors and locals on kea conservation, and protecting and enhancing the nationally endangered bird’s natural habitat.

Trust chairwoman Tamsin OrrWalker, of Queenstown, said NZSki’s support would be a ‘‘massive boost’’ for kea in the Wakatipu and Mt Hutt areas.

‘‘Kea numbers have declined dramatically over recent years and this longterm commitment to protect these remnant populations is vital if this trend is to be reversed.’’

The trust would carry out research on the status of kea in the Queenstown area and work to support remaining birds by removing local threats such as predators and lead.

The research would initially focus on the Remarkables ski area, where kea were often seen by staff and visitors, Ms OrrWalker said.

A field researcher, Tom Good man, would this week attempt to catch the kea, test them for lead poisoning, tag them and, if possible, attach a transmitter to any adult females in order to track their movements and find their nesting site.

Over the coming summer, trap lines would be set and maintained at Remarkables, Coronet Peak and Mt Hutt skifields to catch stoats and possums.