Our sponsors

The project has benefitted from generous help and sponsorship from many people and organisations in Gisborne and elsewhere.

The Gisborne House of Wine, owned by award-winning winemaker John Thorpe, has dedicated a royalty from four of his premium Longbush wines to the restoration of Longbush Reserve. Each of the premium wines is associated with one of the native birds in the bush.

The Waimata Cheese Company, owned by Richard and Carol Thorpe, makers of the award-winning Longbush cheeses, also supports the project. John and Richard share family memories of bike rides to Longbush Reserve, and picnics beside the Waimata River.

In addition, the Longbush Ecosanctuary project is supported by:

The Department of Conservation’s Biodiversity Fund (with thanks to Andy Bassett and Alan White)

Tai Rawhiti Polytechnic’s Conservation Corps (with thanks to Andy Carrie)

The Queen Elizabeth II National Trust (with thanks to Malcolm Piper)

The Gisborne District Council (with thanks to His Worship Meng Foon, the Mayor of the Gisborne / Tai Rawhiti District Council)

Turanga Ararau Iwi Tertiary Education Provider (with thanks to Kojak Oterangi Kutia and his team)

The H.B. Williams Turanga Trust and J.N. Williams Trust (with thanks to the trustees)

The World Wildlife Fund (with thanks to Marc Slade).