Today I am giving a verbal submission regarding the proposed ‘Vehicles on Beaches Bylaw’ before the Clutha District Council and the locals. I am speaking not on behalf of myself, or my organisation SEA SOCIETY, but on behalf of wildlife species that cannot.
Ngā mihi nui/thank you to everyone who has supported the ‘Protect Endangered New Zealand Sea Lion Campaign’ and signed the petition, and/or made a submission! Ngā mihi nui to Write Answers, Forest & Bird and the New Zealand Sea Lion Trust for your ongoing support since 2020.
I hope all our efforts result in the Clutha District Council adopting the ‘Vehicles on Beaches Bylaw’ to protect endemic and endangered New Zealand sea lions/pakake and yellow-eyed penguins/hoiho.
To you who is passionate about a cause and unsure where to start: you have more power than you know. Do your homework: read multiple verified sources, contact specialists, contact the locals, contact the government, contact Tangata whenua, be persistent, get involved in grassroots work, and promote your mahi on media platforms.