Photo Competition 2011

Last year’s photo competition was such a success that we are running another competition this year.  A selection of the photos submitted will be included in the 2011 calendar.

There are 5 categories, with a prize for the winner of each category.  The categories are:

Adult – maximum 3 entries per category per person:
- flora
- fauna
- landscape / seascape
- people
Under 16 - maximum 4 entries per person.  This is an open category so photos can be of any subject.

All photos must have been taken on Tiritiri Matangi Island.

Entries closes on April 30^th.  Judging will take place in May and the winners will be notified by Sunday June 12^th.  We are delighted to announce that Geoff Beals, who is an accredited judge for the Photographic Society of NZ, has agreed to judge the entries.

Entries should be emailed to Mary-Ann Rowland (manager@tiritirimatangi.org.nz) or if you are coming to Tiritiri you can bring your photos on a CD or memory stick.  Please include your name, email address and contact phone numbers with your entry.

All photos must be in low resolution file format (approx 1024 x 768 for landscape aspect, or approx 768 x 576 for portrait aspect).  The file should be no larger than 400kb.  A higher resolution image may be needed if the photo is required for the calendar.  Conditions of entry: (a) you agree to photos being used in the calendar and for non-commercial advocacy of Tiritiri Matangi, (b) they must not have been entered in a previous Tiritiri photo competition.

Extraordinary General Meeting and Social – Monday 21^st March, Kohia Centre, Epsom.

The purpose of the EGM is to approve an increase in membership fees.  Some members have asked why we propose to increase the fees.  Some of the reasons are as follows: 

• DOC’s funding for Tiri has reduced over recent years.  This means that unless we want to see the island go backwards, the Supporters has to fund more.  Some examples of where are our funding goes are rifleman translocations which cost about $23,000 and kokako translocations which cost about $20,000.  Without the translocation of kokako onto and off Tiri the population would become inbred with disastrous results.  We also provide funding to the DoC rangers for routine repairs and maintenance, and last year completed a major upgrade of the track between the wharf and Hobbs Beach. 
• Membership fees have remained the same since our inception in October 1988. In that time inflation alone has been 75%. Even to have kept pace with inflation, the family membership rate would have risen to $35.  At $25 it will still be a lot cheaper than many other groups. Motuihe’s family membership is $35, Motutapu charges $45.
• Members now get a lot more value for money.  Dawn Chorus is an important way of communicating with our members and also assists in member retention.  It started off as a one-page black and white letter.  Dawn Chorus (as it is now) is a high-quality, full-colour, 16-page publication.  However this means increased production costs and increased postage has also contributed to higher costs.  We have also recently launched a new website which is being updated regularly with news and events on the island.

The proposed new membership fees are as follows:

Family and individual $25

Overseas                $30

Student or child       $13

The speaker will be Keith Woodley, manager of the Miranda Shorebird Centre. His book, 'Godwits: Long Haul Champions' talks about godwits and  their extraordinary annual migration from New Zealand to Alaska and back. In 2008, with the aid of satellite tracking devices, one bird was tracked flying non-stop from Alaska to Miranda in 8 days. The story of godwit migration, the changes they undergo and their innate skills is absolutely incredible and Keith is a very entertaining speaker.

Tiri Accommodation Upgrade
Did you respond to my email request a few months ago for interest from architects or landscape designers?  Unfortunately, due to a computer crash, I have lost every email received up to early December.  If you are still interested, please contact me at chairperson@tiritirimatangi.org.nz and I’ll pass your details on to Bruce Mackenzie, who is heading up the upgrade project.

Upcoming Events 
We also have a number of upcoming events.  To see what is happening go to the Events page on our website.

Peter Lee
Chairperson

Photography by Helen Cain © (working weekend lunch)