She believed the work they did in the wildlife conservation space for over 40 years was just about doing their "own quiet little thing".
"It’s just nice to know that we have been part of a group of people who are about saving taonga."
Mr Trow credited the people around them for their efforts and considered their award recognition of the collective’s work.
"We belong to a big and great crew who taught us how to look after wildlife so they are the one’s who deserve this mention," he said.
The couple contributed to the restoration and protection of native biodiversity on Kundy and other islands that are part of the Tītī Island group around Stewart Island/Rakiura since the 1980s.
They spearheaded the removal of the invasive weka, which threatened local taonga species’ populations.
The removal of weka was completed in conjunction with the then Wildlife Service by 1986, creating a safe environment for the reintroduction of native species including the saddleback (tīeke), fernbird (mātātā) and banded rail (mioweka).
Mr and Mrs Trow have been prolific in community efforts to ensure the islands remain rat free.
Their bird transfer programme has allowed Kundy Island to become a vital source for repopulating other islands, including Ulva Island and several locations in Fiordland.
Transferring birds to other islands and "letting them go was like letting go of your children".
They have developed expert bird-catching techniques, maintained detailed records to monitor species’ success and continue to lead new initiatives, such as successful saddleback transfers to mainland sanctuaries like Orokonui this year.
Pioneering genetic mixing of saddleback populations between islands has been a pivotal and ground-breaking moment in their life’s mahi.
The Bluff duo have built successful relationships through a collaborative model, working with government agencies and local whānau with mātauranga Māori practices, which influenced the return of former Crown Tītī Islands to iwi management.
The pioneering couple were not about to hang up their kaitiaki roles anytime soon but they were looking forward to training up the next generation to step into their footsteps.
"We’ve been doing this for such a long time. It’s been fun and if we weren’t doing it, we’d miss it," Mrs Trow said.
"You’ve got to take others along the journey with you.".
Russel Walter Trow &
Teresa Anne Trow
Bluff
KSM
Wildlife conservation
