THE MINISTER OF CONSERVATION
BEEHIVE SUITE 6.6	PO Box 13159
PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS	Onehunga
WELLINGTON	Auckland
FAX 04-473-6118	17 Sept 1999

Attention the Hon Dr Nick Smith

RAINBOW LORIKEETS

Dear Sir

Thank you for your letter of  5 Sept, and information. I will reply to this shortly.

I note that an advertisement costing perhaps $1000 appeared recently in the NZ Herald inviting applications for a Rainbow Lorikeet Project Manager, and offering a minimum two year contract.

I also note from Sharina Boyd’s report that the salary budgeted for this person is in the region of $58,000 per year.

The Minister may not be aware that those who take an interest in these engaging birds in Birkenhead have recently reported to me that sightings have dropped close to zero.

With this in mind it would seem prudent to ask for an independent update of the current population before the Auckland Conservancy commit the Department to a large and possibly unnecessary expenditure of public moneys.

I bring this to your attention purely in the interests of reasonable public expenditure.

 

Yours sincerely

Rex Gilfillan