Wingspan Raptor Award

• Awarded for outstanding efforts in NZ Raptor conservation.

   

  

  The Wingspan Raptor Award was established in 2006 to recognise individuals, groups, and/or organisations for outstanding efforts and contributions towards New Zealand birds of prey. We are delighted to announce the recipient of the 2023 Raptor Award is Tāne Lawless.

  Although quietly spoken, Tāne is a voice for nature that speaks volumes. He believes in the importance of reconnecting people with the natural world and strongly advocates for kaitiakitanga (guardianship).
  Importantly, Tāne walks the talk, and is prepared to do the hard yards. He contributes significantly to wildlife monitoring and pest control operations, and uses his artistic talents to raise the profile of our native taonga and inspire the people of New Zealand to protect them. You may have seen his stunning artwork adorning the streets of Taupō. 

  More recently, he has been lending his expertise to a landmark raptor conservation project. Tāne’s involvement in the Tauhara release project has been invaluable. He has spent countless hours monitoring falcon chicks, providing supplementary food, cleaning out and refreshing the hack box, suppressing pest populations, and raising awareness of kārearea and the project’s significance. Tāne has made an impressive contribution to conservation and advocacy for raptors in New Zealand, and is a worthy recipient of the Wingspan Raptor Award.

  
  

  Winners of the Wingspan Raptor Conservation Award:
  2007 Dr Richard Seaton
  2008 Andrew Thomas
  2009 Colin Wynn
  2010 Steve Lawrence
  2011 Dr John Holland
  2012 Laurie and Janice Hoverd
  2014 Mary Staal
  2015 Chifuyu Hawksby
  2016 Betty Shepherd
  2021 Kevin Matthews
  2022 Scott & Tracey Bowman
  2023 Tāne Lawless