A conservationist has withdrawn his support for an upcoming petrel festival because he does not want the money spent on a platform for viewing the birds.
Bruce Stuart-Menteath said yesterday his company, Petrel Colony Tours, had withdrawn its support for the ''Return of the Westland Petrel Festival'' at Punakaiki because there was a ''significant threat mammal predators will use the walkway to access the breeding grounds''.
However, organisers say the money is not tagged for the platform, despite advertising for the event contradicting this. -Greymouth Star
