New Zealand FSN Certificate © 2011 EAAFP

New Zealand is now officially a Partner (the 26th) of the East Asian – Australasian Flyway Partnership (EAAFP) as from 18 September 2011. A letter of endorsement from the Chair, has been sent to the Hon Kate Wilkinson, Minister of Conservation, and Nicola Scott, Senior International Partner Liaison of Department of Conservation, has been appointed as the EAAFP contact point. Many Partners have sent supportive messages. Wetlands International anticipates that it would strengthen what could be achieved from the Partnership by an additional Ramsar Contracting Party joining a Partnership; Ramsar believes that New Zealand will have an important and constructive role in the Partnership over the coming years; and Pukorokoro Miranda Naturalist Trust strongly supports NZ joining the Partnership which would enable them to be even stronger in ensuring the migratory birds keep returning to New Zealand each year. New Zealand Government expressed its willingness to nominate other significant sites for migratory waterbirds in addition to the current two important migratory waterbird sites included in the Flyway Site Network, Farewell Spit and the Firth of Thames