Some collaborations are planned months in advance.
Others happen by accident — and make perfect sense the moment they do.
This one started with a second-hand kayak.
Briar Whaitiri bought it from Pest Free Token trustee Harrison Bissell. The logo was still on the side. Somewhere between running, biking, paddling, and talking about life, an idea emerged: what if one of the toughest endurance races in the country could support both cancer care and native bird protection?
With just two weeks to go before the Kathmandu Coast to Coast, that idea is now very real.
One Race, Multiple Battles
Briar is attempting to cross Aotearoa — 244km coast to coast — by running🏃, cycling🚴, and kayaking🚣. On its own, that’s a serious physical challenge.
What sets this apart is why she’s doing it.
At 26, Briar was navigating a cancer diagnosis. That was followed by a severe medical adverse event that left her medically incapacitated. Doctors warned her the impacts would likely be chronic and lifelong.
She was told she wouldn’t fully recover.
She was told there were limits.
After years of trial, error, research, and support, Briar proved those limits weren’t fixed.
Crossing the Coast to Coast finish line isn’t just about endurance. It’s about showing what’s possible — for people and for nature — when the odds don’t get the final say.
Why This Matters to Us
At Pest Free Token, we hear the same language all the time in conservation.
❌ Predator Free by 2050 is too ambitious.
❌ Native bird recovery is unlikely.
❌ Eradication at scale is unrealistic.
Sound familiar?
Just like human health, ecosystems respond when pressure is reduced and support is consistent. Remove the threats. Give recovery time. Let resilience do its work.
That’s why this collaboration fits so naturally.
Briar’s recovery mirrors what we’re trying to achieve for New Zealand’s native birds: not instant perfection, but real, measurable progress when the odds are stacked against you.
Where the Funds Go
All funds raised through Briar’s Givealittle page are split and donated directly to:
- Cure Kids — funding care support to give future generations better odds
- Look Good Feel Better — helping people feel like themselves during and after cancer
- Predator Free Muriwai — protecting native birds and restoring ecosystems on the ground
This is a collaboration, not ownership. Briar isn’t “running for” Pest Free Token — but we’re proud to stand alongside her and support the kaupapa.
Turning Pain Into Purpose
Endurance events like Coast to Coast have a way of stripping things back.
🏃One foot in front of the other.
🚣One stroke at a time.
🚴No shortcuts.
The same is true for conservation.
There’s no single silver bullet for pest eradication. It’s sustained effort, community involvement, and thousands of small actions adding up over time. Briar’s race is one of those actions — helping raise awareness and funds for work that continues long after race day.
How You Can Help
If you’re in a position to donate or share, this is a chance to support:
- Cancer care that helps people through their hardest moments
- Native bird protection that safeguards Aotearoa’s future
- A real person doing a hard thing for the right reasons
👉 Support Briar’s Coast to Coast fundraiser here:
Every contribution matters. Every share helps.
And sometimes, beating the odds starts with simply refusing to accept them.
👉 Learn more about Pest Free Token
👉 Learn more about Predator Free Muriwai
Excellent article. I am dealing with many of these issues as well..
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Keep this going please, great job!