The Department of Conservation released 18 birds onto the Gouland Downs near Heaphy Track is a historic attempt to create the first new wild population outside of Fiordland.
Trying to establish another wild population is a risky step, but one worth taking if we want to see takahē in growing numbers in large areas of their former natural range.
The release is the result of a lot of hard work, good science and dedication. It marks an important stage in the species’ recovery which is now 300 birds-strong. That a bird that was classified Nationally Critical has now improved to be Nationally Vulnerable is a testament to the breeding programme and predator control work that DOC and its partners have done.
The takahē population is increasing by 10 percent annually so secure island and mainland sanctuary sites that are currently home to most takahē are filling up fast. We’re at the stage where we have a blueprint for breeding birds successfully – but without suitable habitat with low predator numbers their future is still not secure.
The Kahurangi takahē release was supported by Takahē Recovery Programme partners Ngāi Tahu and Fulton Hogan.
The birds will be closely monitored over the coming months and years to track survival, health, habitat use and breeding success.
Headline: Working for Women’s Rights on the World Stage
It’s been a whirlwind week of women’s issues. I’ve been busy hearing inspiring stories from around the world about the gender pay gap, representation, stopping violence against women, work on climate change and the challenges facing working women.
This week I had the incredible privilege of representing Aotearoa New Zealand as the Minister for Women at the United Nations in New York. I led our delegation to the 62nd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), where over 7000 women from around the world are gathering to discuss the challenges and opportunities to achieve true gender equality, and negotiate global agreements on action. Improving conditions for all women and girls, and fostering greater representation and diversity in leadership, is critical to democracy and peace, and to reducing inequality, all of which are necessary to address our ecological crises and climate change.
The Gender Pay Gap
Icelandic Minister of Social Affairs and Equality Ásmundur Einar DaðasonNZ and Iceland Flags
My personal highlight was discussing with other countries the different approaches they have taken to address the gender pay gap. Some countries are just starting to measure it, whereas others, including the UK, Australia, and several Scandinavian countries, have already implemented mandatory reporting. It was inspiring to hear of the great progress, and how it was achieved. I had a great chat with Ásmundur Einar Daðason, about the steps that Iceland has taken for women. Iceland is leading the world, by legalising equal pay for women!
I was able to discuss with Ministers, MPs and public servants from a number of countries the political and technical challenges they faced, and how they overcame them. The UK have done some great work on data collection, particularly on the ethnic pay gap. Australia have a larger pay gap than New Zealand, yet they have already implemented pay transparency for employers of more than 100 people – this has put useful pressure on companies to take action to end discriminatory pay practices.
Australian Minister for Women Kelly O’Dwyer also shared some great advice on how she coped with being a Minister and a Mum.
Climate Change
I gave our National Statement (a speech to representatives from all the countries in the United Nations), where I raised climate change and the disproportionate impact that it is having on women, especially those living in rural areas. New Zealand supports the Gender Action Plan recently adopted by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which seeks to promote gender-responsive climate policy. In the Pacific this means we are working to strengthen resilience and improve disaster preparedness in ways that take account of gender implications.
I had a fantastic meeting with the first woman president of the Marshall Islands, Hilda Heine – an incredibly impressive person that is blazing trails for wāhine Pasifika in politics, and for whom climate change is one of the most pressing issues.
Marshall Islands President, Hilda Heine
Representation of Women in Politics
Representation of Women in Politics panel
At the invitation of the UK, I participated in a panel about removing the barriers to women’s participation in politics. Also on the panel was an incredibly inspiring MP and feminist fromMalawi, Jessie Kabwila MP. We discussed the importance of proportional electoral systems for increasing the number of women in politics, and the role of political parties and their constitutions and processes for encouraging female and diverse candidates. Some African countries are leading the world in women’s representation in parliament.
I presented research from NZ’s Ministry for Women about the different impact that digital harm has on boys and girls. Countries that are still growing their internet infrastructure were very interested in this and I can see some ongoing collaboration arising from this. There was a lot of discussion about the #metoo campaign and the positive change it has brought.
Suffrage125 celebration
The New Zealand Mission in New York hosted a celebration where we invited other countries to celebrate 125 years of all women in New Zealand being able to vote. It was a very proud moment for us as a country that I was glad to share with many of the NGO representatives from NZ that attended. We need to ensure that women’s rights in our country continue to be trailblazing and something to stand up on the world stage about.
With the Aotearoa Youth Leadership Institute celebrating #Suffrage125
Bodies and Babies
I loved meeting Government Ministers from around the world who had birthed babies in office in just the last few years. I took on board as much information as I could in the short time frame. Sometimes it is just so useful to hear from other women who have done what I hope to do, and the ways in which they coped. The warm reception and support I received was overwhelming. Many people I spoke with had heard about Jacinda’s baby. I was delighted to share my happy news as well.
The rights that I enjoy and exercise over my body are unfortunately not universally celebrated. I ensured that New Zealand spoke up on the importance of reproductive and sexual health services and rights. Women must be trusted to make decisions over their body.
I felt honoured to represent New Zealand Aotearoa on the global stage. While we still have obvious challenges such as women being underpaid and unacceptably high domestic and sexual violence rates, we must continue to learn and work together on these challenges.
This was a recess week at Parliament but our Green Team still packed in a bunch of mahi. Take a look at what we got up to during the week.
Transparency
James announced two new measures to ensure transparency and counter the influence of money in politics. Greens have always stood for more transparency around lobbying and access to politicians. Now we’re in government, it’s time to walk the walk. Therefore:
Green Party Ministers will proactively release their ministerial diaries, to show who they’ve met with and why;
Green Ministers, MPs and staff will not accept corporate hospitality, such as free tickets to events unrelated to their work.
One of our 20 goals for Green government is “significant progress to eliminate the gender pay gap” and Minister for Women Julie Anne Genter ain’t messing around. Already, the reconvened Working Group on Pay Equity has reported back with recommendations to simplify the process for a pay equity claims and with amendments to the Equal Pay Act to give effect to its principles. A new pay equity Bill is in the works and expected to go before Parliament mid-2018.
Golriz, Jan, Marama, Chlöe, and Gareth have been getting around Aotearoa meeting with students on campus for Orientation over the last few weeks. Chlöe, as Tertiary Education spokesperson, has led the way on our biggest O-Week presence yet, stalls at 12 institutions including our first time at AUT and Massey Wellington campuses. Our MPs eschewed grotty meat t-shirts and discussed real issues like high living costs, rent increases, and mental health.
In Wellington, Jan helped launch a new anti-sexual violence campaign “Don’t Guess the Yes”, focused on consent and prevention. In Invercargill, Marama praised the region’s zero fees scheme and addressed the struggle of producers to come to grips with the effects of extreme climate change. Chlöe has been a fixture in student media, including an extensive profile for Nexus mag. Online engagement has been high and our student volunteers have done an amazing job actively recruiting sign-ups. Thanks, awesome people! Our outreach ‘Beers and Backchat’ events have also been popular with more students attending than previous years.
Pacific
James represented the Greens as part of the #PMPacificMission. He accompanied the Jacinda to Samoa, Niue, Tonga, and the Cook Islands. The visits have been particularly focused on recovery and aid following the devastating Cyclone Gita. James has also been focused on work to be done with Pacifica nations to build climate resilience in the face of rising seas and more frequent and severe weather events.
Press for Progress – International Women’s Day
2018 is an epic year for women. That goes for the women of the Green caucus. Not only are 75% of our MPs women, they’re doing great things to press for progress. Jan spoke at SHINE during their “Light It Orange” week about her role as a champion to end domestic and sexual violence. Women’s Day was also the kick-off to nine months celebrating 2018 as the 125th year of women’s suffrage. Julie Anne participated in a panel in celebration ‘Whakatu Wāhine’ as well as a discussion with former Green MP, Sue Kedgely.