A Western Bay of Plenty man has officially been invested as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his contribution to conservation in Te Puke.

Julian Fitter, who now lives in Katikati, was invested by Dame Cindy Kiro at Government House in Wellington on May 3.

Arriving in New Zealand later in life, the wildlife author and conservationist had no plans on retiring and watching the sun set.

Conservation

Not long after settling in Maketū in the Bay of Plenty in 2009, Fitter helped establish Maketū Ōngātoro Wetland Society, to protect the breeding population of Northern New Zealand dotterel on Maketū Spit.

He was chair of the society from 2010 to 2023. During this time five environmental programmes were developed, funded by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, focusing on biosecurity and restoration to prioritise native biodiversity sites around the Maketū and Waihī Estuaries.

In 2016, he established Bay Conservation Alliance, (BCA) of which he is chairman. Almost a decade on BCA supports 35 conservation groups in the Bay, providing them with administration and on-the-ground advice and assistance and giving them a stronger collective voice.

“We depend upon the natural environment for our wellbeing and our economic survival. Damage to the environment affects us all and we know that, and yet [we] consciously decide to do nothing about it,” said Fitter.

Working together

Fitter was passionate about education and believed that partnering together for nature will result in far better outcomes than working individually.

Julian Fitter with his wife Alice Purnell. Julian was presented with the insignia of a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit by New Zealand Governor General, Dame Cindy Kiro, at Government House in Wellington on May 3. Photo / Supplied

“We need to educate everyone about the importance and value of our natural environment and how protecting it can benefit us all. Working together, we can fix it and can enjoy rewarding, comfortable and productive lives.”

Fitter has authored several books, including Albatross, Their World Their Ways (2008) with wildlife photographer Tui De Roy. He has written three books on New Zealand wildlife: New Zealand Wildlife (2009), Field Guide to the Wildlife of New Zealand (2010/2021) and Birds of New Zealand (2011).

Conservation work

His work over the decades has not just strengthened conservation work in New Zealand. Before immigrating to New Zealand, Fitter was a founding trustee of the United Kingdom-based Falklands Conservation Trust in 1979 and is currently a vice-president. He was instrumental in establishing the Galapagos Conservation Trust in 1997, serving as inaugural chair and currently as an ambassador.

In 2008, he established and is now a committee member of the Friends of Galapagos New Zealand organisation, working with the Charles Darwin Foundation and The Galapagos National Park.

Not one to slow down after 50-plus years of service, in 2023 he helped establish the Bittern Conservation Trust, which he chairs.

“My becoming a Member of the NZ Order of Merit is recognition of the need to work to protect our natural environment,” said Fitter. “I believe that this, and the protection of our native species of animals and plants, is vital to the continued existence of Homo sapiens.”

To find out more about Julian Fitter and more about conservation projects in the region please go to www.bayconservation.nz