Eric van Essen
Matuku Reserve is the largest Forest & Bird reserve in Auckland - 120 hectares - and has been fundraised for over the past thirty years. Honorary ranger John Staniland has been instrumental in establishing this reserve and looking after it, with the help of many volunteers. The past couple of years Eric van Essen and Ken Harrop have shared a trapline, clearing the traps every fortnight. Eric has an active interest in macro-photography and will share some of his amazing close-up finds of insects, flora and fungi.