Mission for Mum - hīkoi for pakake

$1,416 of $3,000 goal

Given by 38 generous donors in 11 weeks

30km walk to celebrate 30yrs since the first mainland pakake NZ sea lion pup was born in 150yrs, the epic 600km journey of pakake ‘Mum’

Otago

Kia ora 👋

My name is Chelsea McGaw, and on the weekend of the 9th of December 2023, I am going to be walking from Ōtepoti Dunedin to Taieri Mouth to celebrate the first pakake NZ sea lion pup to be born on mainland Aoteroa for 150 years, after they were driven to mainland extinction from hunting for food and fur in the 1800s (they were once widespread across the motu). 🦭

In 1993, 30 years ago this year, a pakake cow, affectionately named ‘Mum’, made the 600km epic journey from the sub-Antarctic islands to Taieri Mouth, close to Ōtepoti Dunedin. On New Year’s Day, she was found with a new born pup - the first pakake pup born on the mainland for over 150 years. 🌊

Pakake are one of the rarest sea lion species in the world, and are classified as Nationally Vulnerable. Although their numbers have been increasing around the Otago and Catlins coast, they have no achieved colony status, and their strong hold in the sub-Antarctic islands recorded a huge decline this year. 😔

I am partaking in this hīkoi to raise awareness, educate people on the plight of the pakake, advocate for a magnificent taoka facing significant threats, and to raise funds to donate to the New Zealand Sea Lion Trust to continue their fantastic work for this mega-fauna. I aim to raise $3000 by the 1/1/24 - the day Mum was discovered with her pup 🫶

I am monitoring the weather before the event, and will decide closer to the day whether the 9th or 10th of Dec will be best for the hikoi.

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I did it!!! 11 December 2023

Wow, what a day!!!

Saturday was absolutely awesome. I managed to complete the walk, starting at 8.30am and finishing up 30.5km later at Taieri Mouth. What an experience. I was even lucky enough to see a mature male pakake on the walk, halfway between Blackhead and Ocean View when I was walking along the beach.

The last 6-8km became a little difficult with sore feet and a sore hip, but knowing the finish line was in sight, I kept going with some encouraging toots from my welcoming party driving to the finish line along the way.

Thanks so much to those that gave us water along the walk - Robyn, Janice & the lovely couple just outside of Brighton.

And thank you to the NZ Sea Lion Trust and the others that came for the awesome wee welcome at the end! It was so wonderful to have that support and encouragement.

Of course, thanks to all of those that have donated. The page is staying up until the 30yr anniversary on 1/1/2024, so please share with you whanau and friends :-)

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