Alan Wilson centre closes but vision stays strong

BITTER-SWEET FAREWELLS: Humour, handshakes and hongi, such as that shared between Tolaga Bay Area School student Rewi Castle (left) and Allan Wilson Centre director Hamish Spencer, were part of a farewell ceremony at the Uawa-Tolaga Bay school yesterday. Since 2012, AWC scientists and administrators have been involved with iwi-led community initiative, the Uawanui Project. The project is based on the principle a healthy environment means healthy people. Funding cuts however means the AWC will be disestablished. Picture by Liam Clayton

SCIENTISTS and administrators from evolutionary research organisation the Allan Wilson Centre met with Tolaga Bay Area School students and staff yesterday for a formal farewell.

Funding cuts mean the scientific centre is to be disestablished but Allan Wilson Centre (AWC) staff are looking for ways to continue the centre’s outreach programme in this region.

The relationship between Uawa-Tolaga Bay and the AWC began during transit of Venus celebrations in 2012. Since then, the molecular evolution and ecology research centre and East Coast community have developed a close relationship.

The scientific organisation helped streamline and focus conservation and sustainability programmes already established by Te Aitanga-a-Hauiti and the Uawa-Tolaga Bay community. AWC scientists have since run two bioblitzes and a mini-bioblitz. The object of bioblitzes is find as many species in a given area as possible within a set time frame.

This is to establish a baseline of the diversity of life in the region.

“We brought a plan for restoration in this area after 100 years of degradation,” said AWC chairman Jim McLean.

“The project we have in place is for a big vision for the future. The striking thing through all this has been the nature of the people here. We look forward to coming back in 2019 to join the first meetings celebrations.”

A bitter-sweet farewellThe 2019 sestercentennial will celebrate first meetings between Maori, explorer Lieutenant James Cook, Tahitian noble Tupaia and the crew of the Endeavour. AWC director Hamish Spencer said the farewell was a bitter-sweet moment.

“It is a special moment because it marks another chapter in the book. You have some grants to continue the work on land and water.”

The community was successful in its Uawanui Project application for funding through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Unlocking Curious Minds, and a conservation innovation award from the World Wildlife Fund.

Mr Spencer acknowledged Tolaga Bay Area School principal Nori Parata’s school and community initiatives.

“If it wasn’t for Nori’s hard work you wouldn’t be in the wonderful position you are today,” he said.

“Congratulations on the awards you have won. It will benefit your community for a long time to come.”

Mrs Parata thanked AWC’s scientists and administrators for bringing their expertise into Uawa-Tolaga Bay’s world.

“You have made a difference. Many of you have been here frequently and have given so much to us.”