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:bronwen golder Bronwen's top six tips to make real change in your country and community 1 BRONWEN'S WORK WITH KERMADECS Bronwen leads Pew's Global Ocean Legacy Kermadec campaign team (which includes scientists, artists, writers and non-government organization representatives). In 2009, when her husband's posting to Chile ended, she and her family returned to New Zealand. A year later she was approached to lead Pew Environment Group's Global Ocean Legacy Kermadec initiative. Two and a half years on, she describes the campaign as "a work in progress". The team is working hard to convince the government to create a Kermadec sanctuary, by sharing the story of the region, talking about its natural value and New Zealand's opportunity to be seen as a visionary and respectful steward of a globally significant area of ocean. "Creating a Kermadecs sanctuary is our opportunity to do something significant and positive, before it becomes threatened," says Bronwen. It' saying 'We recognise this is precious, and that's why we have protected for everyone.' I just think it's our responsibility." Bronwen works closely with the government, MPs and the private sector to share this vision and gain support for a Kermadec sanctuary. She also puts her efforts into raising the public profile of the Kermadecs as "a special and sensitive" New Zealand ocean space. "A lot of New Zealanders don't know the Kermadecs is part of our country or what makes it so important. Because of its nearpristine complex natural environment – with 50 underwater volcanoes and the KermadecTonga trench (which is up to 10km deep in some places) – it's home to hundreds of species, many of which are unique to the area." To help get the message out, Bronwen speaks to thousands of people each year at various meetings, hosts and supports 22 | www.h e rmagaz i n e . c o. n z Embrace big ambitions. Focus on what you're trying to achieve without flinching – even when you have to adapt strategies or change course and especially when the naysayers tell you it can't be done. Do your homework and share your findings. Information and knowledge will enable and inspire people to support your ambition. Make connections across boundaries. New and untraditional alliances and partnerships create unexpected opportunities for innovation and action Don't compromise. Credibility comes from a consistently high quality of message, products and partnership (quality = clarity, integrity and impact and need not be expensive!) Trust your instincts as a change maker. Instincts and the relationships they forge are more important than any log frame or Gantt chart and Have fun. You can't inspire others if you aren't enjoying what you do. 2 international speakers at conferences and even takes people to the region so they can understand and share the story to a wider audience. In May 2011, Bronwen took nine acclaimed artists on the HMNZS Otago to the Kermadecs to experience the region, and gain inspiration for artistic works that are now being shared with audiences in New Zealand and around the world. The Kermadec team are not the only ones talking about the Kermadecs these days. Scientists and artists are talking about it, and children are entranced by it. Film Director James Cameron has inspired scientists, artists and researchers with his stories of the 'dark continent' (deep sea) and Sir Peter Blake Young Voyagers have returned from their trip to the Kermadecs with tales to tell and new goals for themselves – some changing their University study courses to marine biology. The story is getting out there, and according to Bronwen, the further the better. "We need to think about preserving as many of these precious areas as we can. The Kermadec region is almost perfect, so it's all the more important we protect it." Bronwen says other governments are getting the message and designating marine reserves in their EEZs. "The Australian government has recently designated the Coral Sea because it wanted to take responsibility for its part of the world's oceans. That's exactly what we need to do here." Green Wrasse: Tom Hitchon 3 4 5 6 More information Pew Environment Group www.pewenvironment.org.nz Kermadecs exhibition and artists www.thekermadecs.org/wakey-wakey-wakey The Kermadecs: www.thekermadecs.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/ TheKermadecs Twitter: @thekermadecs