Thoughts on ‘fools and dreamers’

In 1987, when Hugh let his local community know of his plans to allow the introduced ‘weed’ -gorse - to grow as a nurse canopy to regenerate farmland into native forest, people were not only sceptical but outright angry – the plan was the sort to be expected only of “Fools and Dreamers!”

I was excited to meet the legendary Hugh Wilson on a recent trip to Hinewai Nature Reserve, at Te Pātaka-o-Rākaihautū (Banks Peninsula). Hugh is 80 years old and had just arrived back from a 2.5-hour uphill bike ride from Akaroa, where he went to cast his vote.

Hugh’s experience is not unlike our own. People might wonder which "category" we belong to when we talk about the "Predator Free" ambitions of our country, let alone in our tiny community.

Hugh is now considered a hero locally and across the country, overseeing 1500 hectares resplendent in native forest, where birds and other wildlife are abundant. He has proven without doubt that nature knows best – and that he is no "fool".

I like to think that the determination of our team and dedicated volunteers - who check traps monthly (some even weekly), fill bait stations and check seabird burrows - is equal to Hugh's! And though we might be "dreaming" right now of lofty goals like being predator-free - we certainly ain't no fools! :)

Kristel van Houte