Timberlands’ Colin Maunder wins Raptor AwardFriday 26 Sep 2025
The award recognises individuals, groups and organisations for outstanding efforts and contributions towards New Zealand birds of prey. Rotorua-based conservation charity Wingspan established the award in 2006. Wingspan General Manager Ineke Milner describes Maunder as the perfect candidate. “Colin’s been in Wingspan’s corner and the kārearea’s corner right from the very start”. Wingspan has been working closely with Kaingaroa forest estate managers since the landmark discovery of kārearea/New Zealand falcon breeding in Kaingaroa Forest in 1994, a significant breakthrough for the conservation of this threatened species. Since then, falcons have been reported in pine plantations throughout the country. As GM of Sustainability for Timberlands, managers of the Kaingaroa forest estate, Maunder is responsible for environment, iwi and community relations, fire and security, forest communication, enterprise risk, biosecurity and operational land matters. But it is Maunder’s contribution to kārearea conservation that earns him this prestigious award. During his tenure, Timberlands became the first forestry company to adopt falcon-friendly practices into their Forest Stewardship Certification, setting a benchmark that influenced the entire forestry sector across New Zealand. Maunder also championed Timberlands’ Restorative Development Goals, with kārearea at their core. He has supported several postgraduate studies into the species and provided Wingspan an annual grant for long-term monitoring, alongside securing significant funding towards Wingspan’s new National Bird of Prey Centre. “Colin has led the way in bringing forestry and conservation together”, said Wingspan founder Debbie Stewart. A special presentation was made on 11 September at the Timberlands office in front of colleagues and representatives of Wingspan. Maunder said, “It’s an incredible privilege to receive the Raptor Award, though I’m not sure I deserve it — I get paid to do what I love. The real reward is in the work itself and the people I get to work with.” Source & image credit: Timberlands  | ||
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