Notes

Summary: Written as a diary by Andrew, the assistant of the famous Richard Henry, based on Resolution Island from July 1894 to June 1908. Each chapter starts with a lift from the diary of Andrew Burt (14) as he recounts the action of the day. Mr. Richard Henry was employed as Chief Conservator based in Dusky Sound in the late 1800’s, in Fiordland. Henry and Burt are assigned to catch kākāpō and kiwi living on the mainland of New Zealand because they are disappearing and may become completely extinct. One day, Burt hopes, people might read a book about saving kākāpō, and kiwi, written by a famous Assistant Conservator named Andrew Burt. They must camp and build their tent, scour the area, and eventually hunt and capture the birds. Dramas abound with the challenges of living in Fiordland. The author, Gay Buckingham, has meticulously researched their capture and relocation programme for the kākāpō, carefully documented by Richard Henry. She describes the vivid Fiordland wilderness, seen through Andrew’s eyes, as they chart their struggle to save New Zealand’s endangered kākāpō. The author includes maps, curios, supply lists, drawings of fauna, photos and information that showcase the instruments and surroundings of the time, which give authenticity and historical veracity to this work of creative fiction, based on fact. Date: 18 August 1894 Injuries: Sprained (well maybe only twisted) left ankle, from jumping off storeroom bracing (three days ago and almost back to normal). Black thumbnail on left hand, from hammering wall of storeroom (a week ago, nail looks as if it will come off). Millions of infected sandfly bites, which I try not to itch (Mr Henry says that is how they become infected) but I think I must do it in my sleep. (Publisher)