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June 06, 2022
Estelle Pura Leask-Queen’s Birthday and Platinum Jubilee Honours 2022
Waatea Team
Posted On June 6, 2022
To be a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit: LEASK, Mrs Estelle Pura
For services to conservation and Māori
Mrs Estelle Leask is a member Te Rūnanga o Awarua in Bluff and a Senior Environmental Advisor for Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu.
Mrs Leask contributes to conservation efforts at all levels from checking traps to providing strategic direction for programmes. Since 2008, she has been Chairperson, Volunteer Coordinator and Te Korowai Whakahou Native Plant Nursery Coordinator for the Bluff Hill Motupōhue Environment Trust. She led an initiative for students from the Southern Institute of Technology Environment Management course to assist with aspects of the Trust’s work. She joined Southland Conservation Board in 2018 and is a Director on the Board of Predator Free 2050 Ltd and Predator Free New Zealand Trust. She helped the Department of Conservation (DOC) grow its working relationship with Ngāi Tahu. She led the development of two Ngāi Tahu Aspirations documents for the Maukahuka – Pest Free Auckland Island Project and Predator Free Rakiura. She is Murihiku Iwi Liaison to DOC for Predator Free Rakiura. She is a Trustee on the Whenua Hou Komiti. She supports various Southland environmental volunteer programmes including the Kākāpō Recovery Programme, Descendant Guided Tours on Whenua Hou, Otatara Community Nursery, Motu Piu/Dog Island Restoration Project, and the Bluff Community School Native Plant Nursery. Mrs Leask is former Ngāi Tahu representative on the Takahē Recovery Group and current Kea Conservation Trustee.
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