On Sunday Tauranga residents heard of the plight of kiwi in the Kaimai Mamaku Ranges at a meeting organised by Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand. Dr Peter Maddison, chair of the Forest and Bird Kaimai Mamaku group presented information showing that kiwi, blue duck, falcon and kokako may soon join rifleman and kakariki on the list of birds gone forever from the region's forests.

Dr Alan Saunders explained at a meeting on Sunday that attitudes towards forests have changed.

The keynote speaker at the meeting was Dr Alan Saunders, a world leader in forest restoration.
'We can bring the birdsong back top our mainland forests. It just needs that same can-do spirit that wrested a new life from a forest-covered land. But attitudes have changed. Now we see the remaining forest as a treasure, not just something to exploit,” says Alan.
The meeting's sentiment was well received by Environment Bay of Plenty Chair, John Cronin.
'I congratulate Forest and Bird on taking the lead with this initiative,” says John.
In his speech, John noted the protection of the forest of the Bay of Plenty's water catchments is essential for the continued prosperity of the region.
The meeting on Sunday was the start of a broad campaign which includes practical steps of working on pest control, tree planting, translocation and monitoring of native species.