On 27 March 2009, Inspiring Communities hosted a workshop that brought together people and places from across the Auckland Region who were keen to talk, share and learn more about community-led development.

Around 80 people from a range of community and government agencies, funders and academic institutions attended the half day session. Topics covered included the a presentation about the Project Twin Streams story, followed by inspiration from Tamarack's Mark Cabaj who focused on 'Neighbourhood Development in Uncertain Times'.

Working together to achieve a common goal - notes from a keynote address given by Kari Beavan to the Environment Southland Environment Awards

The aim of the Halfmoon Bay Project is for people who care about Rakiura / Stewart Island to take responsibility for the future of its birdlife; to provide endangered species with a safe habitat for people to enjoy every day on tracks, beaches, and in our backyards. Rakiura's wealth of native birdlife is a major asset in terms of attracting both visitors and residents. Taking care of the surviving natural heritage is therefore also about safeguarding and enhancing the economic opportunities of this community for generations to come.

Already, the project has had major benefits for birdlife with a noticeable growth in the numbers of tui, bellbirds and tomtits. Islanders and crib [bach] owners are now saying they have more birds on their balconies than they have seen for years.

But the increase in birds is not the major achievement of the project.

The important link between New Zealand communities, environment, tourism and the economy is highlighted by recent comments in the Southland Times made by Chris Howe, WWF New Zealand executive director (3 January 2009). In a timely article on the Kyoto Protocols and the environment, Howe praises SIRCET's work saying: “Groups such as SIRCET are busy protecting their local environment and the plants and animals they share it with. For such groups, a healthy environment also means a lifeline for the local economy – of the 35,000 tourists that visit Rakiura each year, more than a third say the birdlife the Trust is working so hard to protect is a major draw card.”

The Halfmoon Bay Habitat Restoration Project (Stewart Island/Rakiura) “is about our community stepping forward to protect the treasured native wildlife around our homes and gardens, along our local walks and on our beaches. It occurs almost entirely on privately-owned land”.  Part of the ambit of the Stewart Island/Rakiura Community Environment trust (SIRCET), it is a micro example of private-public partnerships.