Gary Dunnett, CEO NPA NSW
The piece started in a dark place, a study into the implications of political authoritarianism for National Parks and the environment. I began by looking at the changes that 2025 brought to staffing, finances and even educational programs in the US National Parks Service. There were moments of inspiration, notably the leadership of former (and probably existing) parks staff in opposing the new policies- I’d recommend having a look at ‘Alt National Parks Service’ on Facebook or the ‘Our Parks’ website. However, it quickly and predictably became very clear, the rise of authoritarian politics is just as disastrous for nature as it is for aid, medicine, trade and peace.
All of which is difficult to translate into meaningful action here in NSW. The long drive from Sydney to Kosciuszko left me grappling with ‘where next’. Along the way I visited a favourite rest stop, Rose Lagoon. It’s a large wetland, mostly shallow but one that only dries out completely in long droughts. There is always a Swamp Harrier or two wheeling overhead, and often a surprise or two. A couple of years ago that took the form of a large flock of budgies feeding at the edge of the lagoon.
It was cold, with a blustery wind giving full effect to the 2 degrees showing on the temperature gauge. Even so, there were several black dots on the water that demanded inspection, so I grabbed the camera and headed over.
The deepest section of the lagoon is adjacent to the busy highway, and as approached I saw a dozen small ducks, some showing the distinctive sky-blue beak of, wait for it, the Blue-billed Duck.
Blue-billed Ducks are found throughout the Murray Darling system. They are listed as vulnerable in NSW, threatened by the loss of the deep wetlands they prefer, predation and historic hunting. It is one of Australia’s two specialist diving ducks, the other the much larger Musk Duck.
This wasn’t my first sighting of Blue-billed Ducks, but previously they’d been nothing but a distant speck with a hopeful glint of blue. In contrast, the dozen in this flock were less than 25 metres away, and I had the chance to watch them diving, preening, snoozing and generally doing all the ducky stuff. Eventually, their obvious comfort in the freezing conditions wasn’t enough to keep the cold at bay and I headed back to the road.
A lucky sighting, and a long way from the political and cultural shifts confronting the world. But also, strangely reassuring. Nature is unquestionably under challenge on a global scale, yet there is a remarkable resilience in a tiny duck that thrives in the cold winds and deep waters of a wintery swamp. If we can secure their habitats they’ll not just survive, but in time, their population can recover. We just need to safeguard the potential for nature to recover, however daunting the task. And that begins by making sure that every existing park stays safe and secure.
Gary Dunnett has such a clever way of weaving a very serious political concern with the quiet, resilient beauty of the natural world. That title—”Resisting Fascist Ducktators”—is a brilliant hook, but the heart of the piece is really about that contrast between the “dark place” of global authoritarianism and the simple, vulnerable existence of the Blue-billed Duck.
Seeing those ducks at Rose Lagoon, with their distinctive sky-blue beaks, clearly provided a much-needed moment of clarity during that long drive. It’s a powerful metaphor: while political landscapes might shift and become daunting, nature’s resilience is found in these small pockets of habitat that we can still protect. The idea that “securing their habitat” is the first step toward recovery is such a grounded, actionable way to process that global “where next” anxiety.
Down here in Auckland, we often feel that same tension. We have our own unique species—like the Tūturuatu (Shore Plover) or the Pateke (Brown Teal)—that rely on us fiercely defending their “safe and secure” spaces against both environmental and political changes. Gary’s reflection is a great reminder that even when the big picture feels overwhelming, the work of safeguarding a single lagoon or a single park is where the real resistance begins. Plus, any day you get a 25-meter view of a Blue-billed Duck is a win!
upwellscaffolding.co.nz