Falcon project charms judges

Rotorua Museum of Art and History. Photograph by Stephen Parker

It was a New Zealand first, and now the release of native falcons from one of Rotorua's iconic buildings has won the Rotorua Museum a prize at this year's NZ Museum Awards.

The release of the three karearea, or native falcons, from the museum impressed the judges, who awarded the museum the top prize for the Best Museum Project (activity) at the awards, held in Hawke's Bay last night.

Judges described the collaboration among the Rotorua Museum, Department of Conservation and Wingspan National Birds of Prey Centre as "a worthwhile and fun project" for the museum.

One of the released native falcons at the Rotorua Museum.

They said they were impressed by "the on-going falcon-ness which is pervading Rotorua".

Coinciding with the first-ever urban release, the Rotorua Museum ran a special display called On the Wing - Urban Release of the New Zealand Falcon about karearea, the release project and the work Wingspan does.

The falcon chicks - named Hatupatu, Tama and Te Rangi Rere I Waho (Maureen) - were moved from Wingspan to the roof of the museum in December and were cared for by museum staff until January, when the nesting boxes were opened.

The trial project was the first in New Zealand to restore a threatened species right into the city; an approach that has been successful internationally.

Since the birds have been released they've become a popular attraction in the Government Gardens area. A team of up to 50 volunteers helped to monitor the progress of the birds.

Whakatane Museum's Te Koputu a Te Whanga a Toi development was a finalist in the Best Museum Project (museum) category.