Local initiative preserving East Taranaki's wildlife thrives
Lottery funding boosts East Taranaki Environment Collective’s conservation and sustainability efforts
Two decades ago, a group of locals in East Taranaki started on a mission to protect their local native wildlife by creating a natural environment where native species could thrive free from the dangers posed by introduced pests.
Fast forward twenty years and the East Taranaki Environment Collective (ETEC) is now a leading community-conservation initiative, supported by lottery funding grants from Te Puna Tahua Lottery Grants Board to deliver one of the largest community environmental projects in Aotearoa.
The programme spans over 18,000 hectares of mustelid (animals like stoats and ferrets) control in East Taranaki and 1,000 hectares of intensive rat and possum ground control in the Pouiatoa.
By employing a network of traps and ground control methods, the programme works to create a haven for indigenous species such as kiwi, kōkako, and the New Zealand long-tailed bat to thrive.
This is just one example of the incredible causes happening in your community, with 100% of Lotto New Zealand’s profits going back to support thousands of great causes all over Aotearoa. So, every time you play any Lotto New Zealand game, it’s a win for our environment, and it’s a win for our native species.
Read more Local Grants recipient stories
Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”
We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?
Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.
-
41.3% Yes
-
32.7% Maybe?
-
26% No
Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
How many balls of string does it take to reach the moon?
(Peter from Carterton kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Peter!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed? No worries! Simply head here and click once on the Following button.
Closing for the festive season
Kia ora
Our Office will be closed from Friday 19th December 2025, reopen on 19th January 2026.
Wishing everyone a Meri Kirihimete /Merry Christmas and a safe and wonderful New Year.
All the best for 2026
Marie & Wendy
Volunteering New Plymouth
Loading…
