The Department of Conservation has thanked Fulton Hogan for its “selfless help and compassion” during a series of tough events that have hit the South Island.

DOC Director General, Lou Sanson, says Fulton Hogan has already been bringing huge value as a partner in the Takahē Recovery Programme, however, during the recent run of natural events affecting parts of the South Island it has embodied the spirit of working as one organisation with DOC.

In a letter to Bob Fulton, Director of Investments & Associates for Fulton Hogan, Mr Sanson says the offer of help to DOC in the aftermath of the Kaikoura earthquake proved “you’ve got our back”.

“Since then, this offer of support has proven to be enduring and has been thankfully accepted both in early February when Fulton Hogan provided traffic management for rescue efforts during the mass stranding at Farewell Spit and again, when Fulton Hogan contributed to fighting the Port Hills fire in Christchurch.”

He adds that the business has gone “above and beyond” each time DOC and the wider community have shown a need. “You exemplify the spirit of working together for a worthy cause – whether it’s iconic takahē, a community ravaged by earthquakes or fires, or the Mainland’s biggest whale stranding since records began.”

Mr Sanson concludes by saying that DOC is pleased to be working alongside such a genuine workforce and hopes a lot more will be achieved throughout the course of the partnership.