January 5th 2021: Resolute

While 2020 is behind us now it certainly lives on in our minds. Take your New Year resolutions for example. I can almost guarantee they won't be too disimilar to mine – borne of a new appreciation for the lifestyle we can have in New Zealand and among our naturally beautiful coastline and mountains.

I'm not really one for New Year resolutions, but I do love to set goals. So here's my top five for 2021:

1) Spend more time in the ocean (yes, I do get a lot already, but more would be better)

2) Capture some fresh angles and moods of our beloved ocean

3) Climb some new peaks

4) Explore a part of New Zealand that I haven't yet immersed myself in

5) Embark on a sailing adventure

I think if I can knock off that list I'd be a pretty happy man by the year's end.

Here's to your own list and a ripper 2021.

See you at the beach ... Derek

PS The team at Department of Conservation wanted to say a huge thanks to all the surfers who have contributed to help Janet, a 5-year-old sea lion and first time mother, at Aramoana. Janet gave birth on the morning of New Years Day right on the main track down to the beach. Her namesake, the human Janet, who volunteers a massive amount of her time to help protect and monitor the sea lions was really happy to see surfers avoiding the area and surf checking on the adjacent hill and using the other track for access.

We expect Janet and her pup to be holed up on that track at Aramoana for up to a month. So if you see out of town surfers let them know to avoid that area and enjoy all that good karma.

Additionally, we're right in the middle of pup season on our coastline. If you want to play your part to help protect these mammals you can let Doc know if you see any pup activity around our beaches by phoning the Doc hotline: 0800 362 468 (0800 DOC HOT). Arohanui.