I’m not sure who the ‘diva demands’ Emma was referring to were from but let me assure you, it wasn’t me!!! ; )
I’m thrilled to be part of the Conservation Week website blog – as people who know me are aware, I’m not one to shy away from the chance to have my say (Emma may have created a blog monster!).
I’ve been really busy lately, filming a very special half hour episode of Meet the Locals for TVNZ 6 for Conservation Week – in addition to the 204 episodes of Meet the Locals the crew and I have shot over the past two years!
I’m hoping to share some of the funny, inspiring or just downright quirky stories that we found on our two-year odyssey around Aotearoa through this blog over the next few weeks.
The main thing we learned during our travels around this beautiful country was that no matter where we were – in the middle of Auckland city, or in a jetboat on the way downriver to the south coast of New Zealand – there were people rolling up their sleeves and doing their bit to protect and cherish our wonderful wildlife and wild places.
I met schoolkids who protected their own patch of bush on Great Barrier Island, by killing rats to enhance the survival of the native birds including that charismatic bush parrot – the kaka.
I also met a farmer and his wife on Banks Peninsula, who spent all their ‘spare’ time looking after white-flippered penguins and jewelled geckos!
It seems that as New Zealanders it truly is in our nature to want to protect our unique natural heritage. That’s something that I’m very proud to be a part of.
Looking forward to bring you more stories very soon about the sorts of things we’ve been filming recently.
Ka kite ano!
Best job in the country, I love tuatara!
