A major win for kea!
Our Jobs for Nature Lead removal project was active from September 2021- March 2024. The total cost of the project was $1,047,557. Over the two and a half years we trained and certified 13 personnel to safely work at heights to make 508 buildings lead free throughout kea habitat. This meant that around four tonnes of lead (in the form of 7549 mtrs of lead flashing and 242,000 lead-head nails) was removed from the environment resulting in a huge conservation win for kea! We thank all those individuals and our partners who took part in the programme over this period - we couldnt have done it without you!
To find out the whys, whos and hows of the work carried out, please read below. This project was so successful that we plan to continue it in years to come. If you would like to help us make this happen, please get in contact!
Our Partners
We couldn’t have achieved this project without the funding and in-kind support from our Lead Free Kea partners! Thank you to all of the following organisations and individuals - this has been a massive team effort from all of you:
- Jobs for Nature - Mahi mō te Taiao - $950,000 for employment and training of personnel to remove lead throughout kea habitat and for purchase of PPE and non-toxic materials to replace lead.
- Dimond Roofing - Provision of non-toxic replacement materials (at cost) and free delivery.
- Department of Conservation - Te Waipounamu
- The New Zealand Lottery Grants Board - $43,162 for replacement non-toxic materials and to support our teams getting to lead removal sites and working safely at heights.
- Lucy Bellerby - $10,000
- Te Whare o Kea - $9,000 for replacement materials
- The Hermitage Aoraki - $8,970
- NZMCA/Kiwirail - $5,000
- Hamish Attenborough - $5,000
- Denver Zoo - $3,995 for replacement non-toxic roofing materials.
- Skydive Franz - $3,549
- Nelmac - $2,049
- Tony Johnson - $2,000 for replacement materials for the Matukituki Valley
- Mark Westphall - $2,000
- Jessica Meehan - $1664
- Goodlids - $1,225
- Rochelle Rafferty - $1,000 for replacement materials
- Paddler Zone - $1,000 for replacement materials
- Christopher Hynes - $1,000
- Department of Conservation (in-kind support)
- John Darcy (in-kind support)
Donors (under $1000)
- Cassandre Crawford
- Scott Knowles
- Rob England
- Alan R Wood
- St Joseph Kea Scout Group, Upper Hutt
- ED Papp
- Ellen Riley
- Donors on our Lead Removal Project Givealittle page
Dimond Roofing - Provision of non-toxic replacement materials (at cost) and free delivery!
At Dimond Roofing (part of the Fletcher Steel family of brands) we work nationwide manufacturing steel roofing for use in some of our toughest conditions. With a playground as good as the New Zealand wilderness, Dimond is committed to do its bit to help protect and preserve. Lead toxicity in Kea is a problem with a clear solution, so we’re stoked to be helping the Kea Conservation Trust by providing (lead free!) product, technical expertise and a genuine desire to do good. The dedicated team at Kea achieve wonderful things tirelessly and without reward, so I consider it privilege to be involved and do our small bit to help.
Nicholas Wheadon (Head of Sales, Fletcher Steel)
What’s the issue with lead?
Lead poisoning has been identified as a major threat to kea throughout their range. This project aims to reduce the incidence of lead poisoning in kea by removing lead head nails and flashings from buildings in front country sites where kea frequent, and replacing with non-toxic alternatives. This will effectively remove, permanently, a significant source of mortality, from a large portion of the kea population, forever. Lead is accessible to kea as paint, flashings and nail heads in many buildings that were built prior to the 1990s and in lead shot used by hunters. Monitoring by DOC, researchers, wildlife vets and the KCT since 2006 has shown that lead toxicity in kea is widespread throughout the species range, wherever kea and humans overlap (McInnes, 2010). In 2017 the KCT launched a lead testing and removal programme to address this issue. Over 440 individual kea have been tested within this project (to the end of March 2021) and a number of hotspots for lead removal identified.
The Project
This project removed lead flashings and lead nailheads in the roofs of buildings in areas where it was accessible to kea and replace it with safe, non-toxic alternatives. The focus of our work was on predominantly privately owned buildings at front country sites (i.e. around human habitation) which are known hotspots for lead poisoning in kea.
This service was FREE to landowners.
Our Team
Project Coordinator – Peter Fraser
Peter has 20 years of experience working within conservation advocating for wildlife and managing large budget projects locally and internationally. He has a particular passion for kea being one of the KCT's founding trustees back in 2006. Peter's past positions include Conservation Officer at Auckland Zoo and Conservation Manager at Wellington Zoo. Peter lives in Christchurch and is looking forward to working with communities around the South Island to remove lead permanently; one of the biggest threats to kea.
Peace of Mind - Keeping You and your Buildings Safe
We understand that your property is one of the most important assets you will ever own. As such we will ensure all care is taken to ensure your roof's integrity is maintained;
- Our project Roofing Team Leader (a Licenced Building Practitioner – Roofing), will oversee all lead removal and replacement work to ensure a high standard of work is carried out.
- All building works will be protected under our insurance policy.
- All roofing personnel will be trained by our Roofing Team Leader to a high standard and will have completed a Working at Heights course (NZQA Level 3) to ensure their safety while working on your roof.
- All personnel will be provided with safety information and PPE to ensure safe handling and disposal of lead to avoid the possibility of lead poisoning or contamination of the environment.
Find out if your property qualifies for a free de-leading
Get your free, confidential site assessment today! Just send us your property address and your contact details to our Project Coordinator, Peter Fraser (peter.fraser@keaconservation.nz) and we will be in touch.
For more details on the Lead Removal Project overall, and the impact of lead on kea, please visit our Lead Removal Initiative and our Project Outcomes page.