Auckland Zoo and renowned local glass artist Luke Jacomb are teaming up to grow awareness and support for Aotearoa New Zealand’s rarest endemic bird, the tara iti (New Zealand fairy tern).
In a first, a tara iti is being added to Luke Jacomb Studio’s flock of native birds. The new addition from the artist and bird lover has been inspired by Auckland Zoo’s conservation mahi for this ‘Threatened - Nationally Critical’ taonga, which it carries out in partnership with the Department of Conservation. (The tara iti population numbers just 45-50 adult birds and 11 breeding pairs).
From 15 October, visitors to the Zoo’s physical and online shop can purchase a limited edition tara iti made in an exclusive Sky-Blue colour (a light blue to reflect the bird’s coastal habitat and relationship with sea and sky) or choose from a selection of other tara iti in a variety of colours.
“Auckland Zoo has always admired Luke Jacomb’s work and this is the perfect fledgling collaboration to launch his wide range of glass birds and insects in our shop,” says Auckland Zoo’s shop manager, Claire Gellatly.
For every glass tara iti sold by the Zoo and through Luke Jacomb’s online store, $50 will directly support tara iti conservation. Additionally, profits from the rest of the Luke Jacomb Studio range sold by the Zoo, will go to supporting all of the Zoo’s other conservation mahi that happens onsite, throughout Aotearoa and beyond. (The Luke Jacomb tara iti measures approximately 10 x 20 x 5cm and retails for $350).
For more information about Auckland Zoo’s role for tara iti (involving incubating, hatching, rearing and releasing chicks to the wild, and post-release monitoring) and its mahi for many other threatened taonga of Aotearoa, visit www.aucklandzoo.co.nz
