One Waikato, Seven Wonders campaign gets underway

Environment Waikato today launches its One Waikato, Seven Wonders campaign aimed at uncovering the region’s top seven natural wonders.

The idea of the campaign – supported by national identities including Prime Minister Helen Clark and rugby legend Colin Meads – is to promote sustainable management of the Waikato for environmental, economic, cultural and social reasons.

One Waikato, Seven Wonders asks people to nominate their favourite natural wonder such as a family holiday destination, a picnic spot, an inspiring natural feature, a conservation area.

The prime minister has praised the regional council initiative as “a great way to highlight the beauty and importance of the region’s natural resources, and the need to protect them for future generations”.

Helen Clark, who grew up on a farm on the foothills of Pirongia, said she was proud of her Waikato heritage and had difficulty picking a favourite spot.

“I have wonderful memories of growing up on our family farm. The Pirongia Forest Park – as it was then – the Kaniwhaniwha Stream which ran through our farm, and the Karamu caves were all favourite places for fun and exploration,” she said.

“But climbing to the top of Mt Pirongia and looking back over our old family farm will always give me great pleasure.

“The Environment Waikato campaign reminds us to look after our special places so they can continue to provide great enjoyment for future generations.

“The sustainability of the local environment is also key to the sustainability of our agricultural sector that makes such a huge contribution to our national prosperity.”

Rugby legend Colin Meads is also supporting the campaign by appearing in the council’s Envirocare magazine to be delivered to all Waikato households from next week. ‘Pinetree’ nominates the place where he grew up in the King Country.

Environment Waikato chairman Peter Buckley said One Waikato, Seven Wonders was about celebrating the region’s natural landscapes.

“Good things are meant to be shared and we reckon Waikato people will love telling others about their favourite places,” he said.

“It might even inspire people to join some of our care groups and get involved in looking after our environment.”

Nominations can be made on the Environment Waikato website, www.ew.govt.nz from Saturday 9 February, or by using the nomination form in the council's magazine, Envirocare.

The winning seven wonders will be selected by popular opinion. If seven clear winners cannot be determined by popularity alone then the front runners will be assessed against factors such as ecological value, cultural significance, balance/representation of different regional features and contribution to community wellbeing.

Nominations close February 22 and all entries go in the draw to win a scenic flight over the region sponsored by Waikato Aero Club, with carbon emissions offset by tree planting. In addition, packs of natural organic products from Earthwise Direct are up for grabs.