ASB MAGAZINE: Patagonia will hold a free, online premiere of the short film ‘Karioi’ on Wednesday, August 18. The event will kick off at 6pm AEST/8pm NZST with a live Q&A hosted by surfer and Patagonia Global Sport Activist Dave Rastovich alongside The Karioi Project Manager Kristel Van Houte.
Narrated by New Zealand-born Rastovich, the short film follows the footsteps of a group of passionate volunteers in Raglan on the North Island. The community initiative launched back in 2009 in an effort to save the seabird mountain of Karioi through restoring the dwindling seabird populations, preserving biodiversity, and taking back the sacred maunga. What started out as a conservation group trapping invasive predators, has swelled to an initiative of more than 350 volunteers of all ages, who now also run community and education programs, reconnecting locals with the area’s ecology.
“As a surfer, I’ve been lucky enough to have surfed around the world and seen the great work coastal communities are carrying out to look after their shared ecologies. I would have to say that Raglan’s effort to care for country, and especially the migrating seabirds that call that rugged coast home, offers one of the most inspiring stories of working together for the benefit of all local creatures,” – Dave Rastovich.
“We’re excited to be sharing our story with the rest of the world, as a way to highlight the urgent need for local community action to protect biodiversity to maintain the worlds ecological processes. We hope our short film will encourage more people to do the same.” – Kristel van Houte.
Featuring dedicated environmentalists, stunning Raglan scenery, and great waves, ‘Karioi’ is a little film that shows the significant impact a group of passionate locals can make.
ABOUT
Te Whakaoranga o Karioi – The Karioi Project has contributed over 40,000 volunteer hours in the last 10 years, restoring and carrying out pest control in 2,500 hectares of native coastal forest. This work has resulted in the return of breeding ōi, (grey faced Petrel), a locally threatened taonga species to the maunga. At the same time the group has delivered environmental education to hundreds of local kids and provided much-needed employment in conservation and ecological restoration for young adults.
Patagonia is guided by its mission statement: “We’re in business to save our home planet”. Founded by Yvon Chouinard in 1973, the outdoor apparel company began in Ventura, California and today works globally, including in New Zealand. A certified B Corporation and founding member of 1% For The Planet, Patagonia is recognised internationally for its commitment to product quality and environmental activism – and its contributions of more than US$145 million in grants and in-kind donations to date. Patagonia has supported The Karioi Project through its grants program since 2017.
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