Sandra and Mike Goodwin
Forest & Bird has honoured five long-serving members with the Tī Kouka award for their exceptional service over a long period to the organisation and to conservation in their local and regional areas.
New Zealand’s leading independent conservation organisation has thousands of active volunteers throughout Aotearoa and is celebrating these five for their passion and hard work over many years.
The recipients said they were honoured to be recognised but added they would not have achieved anything without the teams of dedicated volunteers around them.
Neil Baxter
Neil Baxter, of Taupō chaired the branch for 10 years from 2012 to 2022 and led the restoration project at Opepe, east of Taupō, a remnant area of old growth podocarps. After stepping down as chair he continued to coordinate trapping volunteers at Opepe and worked closely with the Department of Conservation and predator control contractors.
“Neil has been a strong advocate for conservation work in the area and particularly has led the main local Forest and Bird project looking after the Opepe Restoration Project,” said Taupō Branch Secretary Michael Richardson.
Citation | For his exceptional service to Forest & Bird’s Taupō Branch and to conservation in the area. Neil chaired the branch from 2012 to 2022. He also led the main branch restoration project at Opepe, east of Taupō, a remnant area of old growth podocarps. After stepping down as chair he continued to coordinate trapping volunteers there and worked with the Department of Conservation and predator control contractors.
Sandra and Mike Goodwin
Mike and Sandra Goodwin, of Lake Ōkāreka, near Rotorua, have long been involved in conservation issues in the Western Bay of Plenty and South Waikato. Both were long-serving Rotorua Branch committee members at various times. Mike has been active in various branch and other conservation projects, including a leading role with the Tikitapu Forest & Bird Care Group, the Violet Bonnington Reserve, and the Landcare Ōkāreka projects.
Sandra was also closely involved with Landcare Ōkāreka, and was a member of the Rotorua Lakes Community Board for a term. In earlier years she was a member of the South Waikato District Council and served six years on the Waikato Conservation Board.
“Mike and Sandra Goodwin have always worked as a team, each supporting each other in their activities,” said Judy Gardner of the Rotorua branch.
Citation | For their exceptional service as a team to Forest & Bird and to conservation in the Western Bay of Plenty and South Waikato. Both were long-serving Rotorua Branch committee members at various times and have played an important part in the Landcare Ōkāreka projects. Mike’s various projects included a leading role in the Tikitapu Forest & Bird Care Group mistletoe recovery project and Sandra’s many activities include two terms on the Waikato Conservation Board.
Sharyn Gunn
Sharyn Gunn, of the Kāpiti-Mana branch, has been involved with the Kiwi Conservation Club, Forest & Bird’s nature group for children, for two decades, and for much of that time as coordinator for the branch KCC group.
Her enthusiasm ensured her love of nature has been passed on to large numbers of children. She organised a huge number of outings for her KCC branch and members from the wider region.
“Sharyn is very worthy of recognition for the way she has grown understanding of the taonga that is te taiao, and the joy of many tamariki and rangatahi in connecting with it,” said Pene Burton Bell, Chair of the Kāpiti-Mana Branch.
Citation | For her exceptional service to the Kapiti-Mana branch and its Kiwi Conservation Club (KCC) for children. Sharyn has been involved with KCC for two decades and for much of that time was coordinator. Her enthusiasm ensured her love of nature was embraced by large numbers of children. She organised a huge number of outings for her KCC branch and members from the wider region.
Lynne McLellan (left)
Lynne McLellan, of Upper Hutt, is a long-time member of the branch and has been a member of the branch committee since 2009. Lynne has played important roles in many of the branch’s activities, including producing the newsletter, advocacy, planning and particularly in organising and recruiting volunteers for the branch nursery.
Lynne has been a passionate voice for nature in Upper Hutt. Barry Wards, Chair of the Upper Hutt Branch, said Lynne was an exceptional organiser, motivator, hands-on worker and a vital member of the branch.
Citation | For her exceptional service to Forest & Bird’s Upper Hutt branch and to conservation in the region. A longtime member of the branch, and committee member since 2009, Lynne has played important roles in many of the branch’s activities, including producing the newsletter, advocacy, planning and particularly in organising and recruiting volunteers for the branch nursery. Lynne has been a passionate voice for nature in Upper Hutt.