Hi everyone. Last month we got the exciting news that Wairarapa Moana has been granted Ramsar status as a wetland of international importance, joining six other wetlands in New Zealand.

I hope this will mean repair work on the Matthews Lagoon reticulation project at Wairio will be completed sooner rather than later.

Our conference was held in Gisborne this year and it was most enjoyable. Everything ran very smoothly and according to plan. Timing of all the events was spot on.

We were extremely privileged to be able to visit to Nick's Head Station, which we all thoroughly enjoyed.

Next year's conference will be in Wellington, with a trip to Zealandia on the agenda.

Our congratulations to Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust's Anne Richardson, who was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in June.