Platinum Partners
(October 2018-2023)
NZSki, in partnership with the KCT, is working to bring back kea to the 3 Peaks – The Remarkables, Coronet Peak and Mt Hutt and to increase awareness of the threats to the world’s only mountain parrot.
Once regular visitors to all three ski fields, kea have now dwindled at all three sites with no kea at Coronet Peak and Mt Hutt and 4 kea at the Remarkables this past ski season (2018). In an effort to protect these remnant visitors and to find out what is impacting them, NZSki is committing significant funds and resources for the next 5 years to address the issues facing the local kea population and to raise awareness nationwide through our schools.
This is an exciting, long-term partnership which will be a major boost to kea in both the Wakatipu and Canterbury areas and will provide a fantastic opportunity for communities to get involved in kea conservation!
Year 1 – Oct 2018-2019
Field Work
- Lead testing and treatment (if required) of kea at the Remarkables Ski area (winter 2019).
- Lead testing and treatment of kea at Mt Hutt (winter 2019).
- Local population monitoring (re-sightings of banded kea – ongoing).
Environment Enrichment and Protection
- Laying and maintaining trapping lines.
- Native planting and revegetation at the Wakatipu Ski fields.
Fundraising
- Donation collections during Conservation Week.
- Point of sale option to donate.
- Creating awareness for fundraising through marketing assistance.
Project Outcomes – Year 1 – 2018-2019
Field Work:
Lead testing and treatment (if required) of kea at the Remarkables Ski area (winter 2019).
NZSki is providing local funding to test Wakatipu kea for lead poisoning and ensure they stay Lead Free. All kea tested at the ski field are also banded and this information entered onto the Kea Sightings Database, providing valuable information on kea numbers and movements around the Wakatipu area.
After 2 catch trips to the Remarkables Ski area, a total of 5 kea have now been banded and at least 7 individual kea (one an adult female), are confirmed as visiting the site on a regular basis. All of the kea caught up were also blood lead tested and found to have low blood lead levels (below 5 ug/dL).
If you see any of these banded kea, please visit the database and enter their details:
- Orange M on Black
- Yellow F on Red
- White A3 on Green
- Red AF on White
- White AJ on Orange
Year 2- 2019 – 2020
Field Work
- Continued banding and lead testing of kea at the Remarkables ski field (winter 2020).
- Attachment of transmitters to adult female kea for monitoring through the breeding season (January 2020).
- Initiation of the Ben Lomond kea monitoring programme (January 2020).
Education and Advocacy
- Signage panels at the Remarkables.
- Signage panels up at Ben Lomond.
- Develop school resources in partnership with Enviro Schools.