The Rainbow Trust
The Rainbow Trust was formed by a group of Birkenhead residents at the
time that the Department of Conservation killed 17 Rainbow lorikeets in February 1999. The
members felt that the action taken was unnecessary from an ecological viewpoint and that
the disregard for animal welfare shown by the Department of Conservation would lead to
eroded public support for their proper task of providing for New Zealand’s rare
species.
We are astounded that the Department of Conservation should introduce such a draconian
measure as the Biosecurity Act against these harmless birds, while excluding from that
same persecution real predators on native birds like rats and stoats.
We are convinced that the time money and effort earmarked for the
possibly unsuccessful persecution of the Rainbow Lorikeet would be better spent helping
Kakapo, Kokako, and Kiwi, or fostering more island sanctuaries for our native birds.
We are also convinced that the Rainbow Lorikeet has at least more right to live in New
Zealand than any of its critics.
