Bushy Park sanctuary opens new predator fencing

Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright said she'll don her gumboots as a private citizen and be back to witness the successes made possible by the new $807,000 Xcluder pest proof fence at Bushy Park, the completion of which was celebrated yesterday.
A tui sung and kereru swooped overhead as the celebration unfolded at the sanctuary where Dame Silvia told the assembled crowd her diary note for the day had read she was to open a fence but when she thought about it she was there to close it.
"This is a fantastic accomplishment?the project began in February 2003 and has involved hundreds of supporters. I congratulate you on the hard work," she said.
The fence would see Bushy Park flourish and Dame Silvia said she would be back with a good pair of gumboots to witness the results properly.
"It will be a pest free Bushy Park and home to native flora and fauna including the kiwi, saddleback, kereru and kokako."
"Now it is my very great pleasure to declare the pest free fence closed," Dame Silvia said.
Busy Park Trust chair Ian Brown said the occasion was an important one in the history of the park and he paid tribute to project convener Allan Anderson whose determination and talking had secured sponsorship and funding for the fence. "He's like a terrier once he gets hold of something," Mr Brown said.
He said Mr Anderson's passion for conservation went back a long way.
"He joined the Forest and Bird when he was seven years old in 1947. Someone obviously twisted his arm then and that's where he picked up the habit."
Mr Anderson also spoke and thanked everyone who had contributed to raising the park to a new level of historical and conservation significance.
"It is one of the finest examples of a mainland sanctuary."
He called for the bulldozer operator, digger driver, post driver, fencer, tractor driver, bush clearers and other workmen to come forward to receive acknowledgement for their hard work in building the fence.
"They should be justifiably proud of their achievement," Mr Anderson said.
The entire Wanganui district should also be proud. "Wanganui is not the richest city in monetary terms but in generosity it is without peer, I thank each and every one of you," he said.
Acting conservator for the Wanganui Conservancy, Bill Fleury, congratulated the Bushy Park Trust on its achievement and said the new predator fence would see the sanctuary play a significant role in preserving kiwi in the Wanganui/Taranaki region.
A large crowd with people from as far a field as Wellington and Auckland were present for the celebrations as well as dignitaries Wanganui MP Jill Pettis, National Party candidate Chester Borrows, National MP and former Minster of Conservation Nick Smith, Wanganui Deputy Mayor Dot McKinnon and immediate past Bushy Park Trust chair Jim Howard. Conservation Minster Chris Carter could not attend.
Royal New Zealand Forest and Bird Society representative Keith Beautrais was one of the final speakers before Dame Silvia unveiled a plaque commemorating the completion of the fence.
Mr Beautrais finished with a Maori saying. "This is a small place but it is truly a treasure," he said.