By ANNE BESTON
Backers of a $12 million wildlife sanctuary have persuaded Finance Minister Michael Cullen to don his tramping boots in the hope he will be persuaded to open his chequebook.
Today's visit by Dr Cullen and Tourism Minister Mark Burton to the Mt Maungatautari conservation scheme, following visits last year
by Prime Minister Helen Clark and Conservation Minister Chris Carter, shows the proposed sanctuary has attracted the Government's attention but no money.
"We're hoping [Dr Cullen] will see the huge economic benefits of a project like Maungatautari," said Mt Maungatautari Ecological Trust spokesman David Wallace.
"This is a project about partnerships between the community, local bodies and iwi and we hope central Government will want to be part of that."
Mt Maungatautari is one of the most ambitious private conservation projects ever planned. The proposed area would be Wellington's Karori Wildlife Sanctuary writ large - 3400ha of mountain top ringed with 47km of pest-proof fencing compared with Karori's 252ha.
It has the support of Regional Council Environment Waikato, Hamilton City, Waipa and Waikato District Councils, adjoining landowners and local iwi. The Waipa District Council has pledged $2 million of infrastructural support, including roading and public toilets.
Mr Wallace said the trust was aiming to begin building the pest-proof fence towards the end of the year. It has raised about $1 million.
In five years it's hoped re-introduced species at the sanctuary will include kiwi, kokako, saddleback, skinks and giant weta.
Herald Feature: Conservation and Environment
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