Biodiversity HB Recognises Award Winners

Two people closely involved with Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay have recently been acknowledged with awards – Marie Taylor and Des Ratima.

“We are proud to have people of such high calibre involved in protecting our region’s native flora and fauna through the Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay organisation, and to see them recognised for the contribution they are making to our world,” says Biodiversity HB Chairman, Charles Daugherty.

Marie Taylor, owner of Plant Hawke’s Bay and Deputy Chair of the Biodiversity HB Guardians committee, has been awarded the Supreme Winner of the NZI Rural Women New Zealand Business Awards.  She was awarded at a ceremony in Wellington on Tuesday 20 November. 

Rural Women New Zealand National President Fiona Gower said, “Marie's passion, expertise and commitment to her business, the environment and her community is reflected in the outstanding work Plant Hawke's Bay carries out."

Marie Taylor eco-sources seeds for propagation and raising, often returning mature plants to the site where the seeds came from and helping to save rare species. She has supplied plants to farmers, councils and environmental groups for wetland and native bush restoration projects throughout Hawke’s Bay.  She is an inaugural Guardian for Biodiversity HB since 2017 and was part of the Implementation Planning Group who together wrote the Hawke’s Bay Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2020. 

Biodiversity Guardians Chair, Connie Norgate says “This is a well-deserved honour for all Marie’s incredible work protecting and restoring our native plants in Hawke's Bay, and she is leaving a legacy for generations to come.”

Des Ratima ONZM, who is Deputy Chair of Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay Foundation Board, was awarded the Linden Estate Leader of the Year Award 2018 at the PAN PAC Hawke’s Bay Business Awards on 16 November. This event showcased businesses and business people meeting international standards in commerce. 

Des was described as, “a big personality with a huge heart for the development of youth, business and communities” who has built “a platform for change for the development and future of the local community”.

“It is that close connection and understanding of local communities and their desires for a healthier natural world in Hawke’s Bay, plus his friendly leadership style, that makes Des an invaluable member of the Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay team,” says Charles Daugherty.

Des also recently blessed the opening of the Hawke’s Bay Environment Centre at their new premises in Hastings.  This close connection with others in the environmental care space demonstrates how Biodiversity Hawke’s Bay fits into the bigger picture and works with many partners to achieve its goals.

Photos: Marie with her distinctive company car ; Des and Evelyn Ratima receiving the award.

3 December 2018

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