Environment – State of Extinction Report

Recently Forest & Bird’s chief executive Nicola Toki (you might know her from TVNZ’s Endangered Species Aotearoa) commented that the latest State of the Environment Report should be called the “State of Extinction Report.” Indeed, the report published by the Ministry for the Environment paints a bleak picture of how threatened our native species are. Remembering that over 70 percent of New Zealand species are endemic (only found here), these are sobering statistics. 

Currently classified as threatened or at risk are: 94 percent of reptiles, 93 percent of frogs, 80 percent of bats, 78 percent of terrestrial birds, 48 percent of vascular land plants. Ninety one percent of sea birds are in trouble, and 27 percent of those now have declining populations. 

More than you thought? You’re not alone, in a study by Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research most people thought our native wildlife was doing just fine. Why is this? My thinking is that many people don’t realise that their baseline expectation of what our natural world should be like is much lower than the generation before. Our expectations are formed by what we have experienced, so wouldn’t it be great to see conservation action to push that baseline back up? We are lucky that we can visit Tiritiri Matangi or Shakespear Regional Park to get an idea of what incredible biodiversity looks like. Yet many don’t strive for it where we live. Let’s aspire to reversing the degradation of our environment, and aim higher, rather than accepting the worst, and expecting that our taonga species will be restricted to islands while we live amongst the rats, weeds and polluted waterways. 

What can you do? It’s simple; trap pest animals or support those that do, remove pest plants from your garden and replace them with natives. Speak up for nature, connect with it and protect your outdoor lifestyle. Write submissions when Auckland Council invites you to have your say about the environment, sign petitions or write to your MP, tell them why nature matters to you and what you want saved for your children or grandchildren. Don’t leave it to someone else.

Forest & Bird is an apolitical, independent society driven by strong evidence and with the support of a passionate membership. We have no set political affiliations and are a national charity that not only works on the legal, policy and advocacy side of conservation, but also on the ground, running a small number of flagship projects like Pest Free Hibiscus Coast and driving volunteer-led action where people live. We will work with any national or local government willing to recognise the value of nature, and protect it for the future, not destroy it for short term gain, and in the 100 years since Forest & Bird was established, we certainly have. 

We are here to be a “Voice for Nature” and stand up for its value, both intrinsically and for the benefit of people. I invite you to find out more, join as a member, or volunteer your time like so many people do right here on our beautiful Hibiscus Coast. Nature needs your help, whoever you vote for.