In late 2021, I embarked on some ambitious fundraisers for the NZ native shore plover (tūturuatu). The shore plover is a critically endangered native NZ shore bird, with only 250 adults remaining. These small birds are unique to New Zealand and are highly vulnerable to introduced predators due to their small size and that they are a ground-nesting bird. Their survival as a species currently depends on predator-free islands and the support of captive breeding programs. Currently over half of the population resides on the remote Chatham Islands, while the rest are on various islands around the mainland. Efforts are underway to release juveniles on Waikawa Island and Motutapu Island through a project supported by the NZ Nature Fund, requiring funding of over $80,000 per year for five years. With this in mind I wanted to raise as much as possible for this special species, and over a few months I undertook three different fundraisers.

My first shore plover fundraiser was with the release of my new artwork at the time - ‘A Lost Harmony’ - an artwork of a pair of extinct NZ huia. “A Lost Harmony” refers to the loss of their unique birdsong, and how the harmonious balance of the forest/beaches can be lost when we don’t protect them. I decided to use my huia artwork because I feel they are a poignant reminder of why it’s important to protect the critically endangered birds we still have, so they’re not lost forever. Unfortunately, many of our most endangered native birds are not well known until it’s too late, and this can be seen in the huia, which is very well known and has been extinct for over a century, while the shore plover is almost completely unknown to the average Kiwi. I was able to raise $1,425 by donating 30% of my ‘A Lost Harmony’ print sales for the first 2 weeks of its launch.

The second fundraiser was with my next original - ‘Spring Visitor’ - an artwork of NZ’s icon fantail (pīwakawaka) on a cluster of kōwhai blooms. This was my first time donating an original artwork and I decided the best way to sell it was through Trademe. I wasn’t too sure what to expect, but I framed the artwork and listed the auction, then kept my fingers and toes crossed for a good outcome. Over the following week I eagerly followed the bids closely, and went live on my Instagram account for the final countdown – with a wine in hand to calm the nerves! I was really happy with the final result, with the A4 framed original selling for $2,710. Trademe also kindly waived the auction fee, so the entire sale amount was able to be donated.

 My last fundraiser was collaborating with the New Zealand Nature Fund and Hawkshead Wine with an event at Kinross (cellar door) in Gibbston, Queenstown. An incredible evening was planned with delicious food, delicious wine, and an amazing list of items up for live auction, all in support of the shore plover. Again I wanted to use my huia artwork, so we custom-framed limited edition ‘A Lost Harmony’ prints in each size from A4 to A1. I had these done locally by New Zealand’s only Master Certified Picture Framer, David Marsh at Aurum Gallery. Along with the beautifully framed artworks, I also worked with Denis and Ulrike from Hawkshead to create 24 very special magnum bottles of their 2019 first vines pinot noir using my artwork on the custom labels. We designed the label together, I signed and numbered each one, and then we carefully applied the labels by hand (with the help from my partner Nick). See the behind the scenes video on Instagram here. These looked incredible and were auctioned alongside each of the framed prints and the rest of the bottles were all sold too and that money also donated to the cause. Denis Marshall from Hawkshead is the chair and trustee of the New Zealand Nature Fund and was NZ’s conservation minister in the 90s, so it was amazing to be able to work with him.

As a special introduction for the framed huia artworks auction, I created a video of the behind-the-scenes making of ‘A Lost Harmony’. Again, I was very nervous watching my auction, but was over the moon to have them sell cumulatively for $10,750. It was a fantastic night overall, with a total of $30,000 raised from all auction lots!

In conclusion, the fundraising efforts for the critically endangered shore plover were a resounding success, and all the investment of time and money by many people was worth it. Through various initiatives, including art sales, auctions, and collaborations, a significant amount of money was raised to support the conservation of this unique species. While the road to saving this species is still long, these fundraising endeavours serve as a beacon of hope, reminding us that collective action can make a difference in preserving our precious natural heritage. With continued support and commitment, we can strive towards a future where the shore plover thrives, ensuring the presence of this special bird for generations to come.

To donate to the shore plover recover project, you can donate here.

To read more about my fundraising, please see here.