After learning of the mast crisis, Kevin Joyce, owner of Toi Toi Wines, approached Forest & Bird keen to do something to help. He decided to raise awareness and will be providing a donation to support Forest and Bird with every bottle of wine sold now until the end of September 2019.
Kevin was especially moved by the plight of the endemic Kākāriki karaka (Orange Fronted Parakeet). They are small, green, long-tailed parakeets with azure blue primaries and a yellow crown. They are especially susceptible to predation by rats and stoats, which thrive in mast year conditions, and are therefore at a high risk of extinction with just 100-300 birds left. 85% of one valley’s population was lost due to a single rat plague in 2001.
Guardianship of our land and protection of our flora and fauna are key family and winery values for Toi Toi.
“One of our core values is Kaitiakitanga - guardianship. We want our children to live in a world that still has these beautiful native New Zealand birds in it,” explains Kevin.
“We’re hoping that our fundraising efforts will raise awareness among Kiwis that might not be aware of how critical the situation is for birds like the Kākāriki. With their help, we can help stop these species disappearing from the New Zealand landscape.
We have also donated to the Orange Fronted Kākāriki Conservation Fund to protect the three alpine beech forest valleys of Canterbury - the Hawdon, Poulter and Hurunui valleys – which is the only remaining habitat for these birds. We encourage others to do the same.”
Jo Prestwood, of Forest & Bird, says, “Most of New Zealand’s conservation forests will be without predator control during this mast year – set to be the biggest in over four decades. It’s clear that New Zealanders are really concerned, they are rallying to do what they can in regions throughout the country”.
“All they need to do is buy a bottle of wine and they can be confident that they will be making a difference.”
Kevin Joyce
Toi Toi Wines, (pronounced Toy Toy) is family-owned by Kevin and Sara Joyce and their children; Adele, Richard, Adam and his wife Samantha.
The brand is inspired by New Zealand’s natural beauty and awe-inspiring flora and fauna.
Kevin and Sara created their first vintage of Toi Toi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc in 2007 after developing their Brookdale vineyard in the Omaka Valley of Marlborough. In 2012 they purchased the Clutha Vineyard in Central Otago near Mount Pisa which now produces their Toi Toi Central Otago “Clutha” Pinot Noir.
For more information and how you can help, visit their website.
