Hen & Chickens Islands weeding
Hen Island
General Information
The Hen and Chickens Island group is designated a Nature Reserve and contains many species of plants and animals that have all but disappeared from the mainland – tuatara, lizards, saddleback, kākā and kōkako (Lady Alice) and NZ brown kiwi (Hen Island). The scenery is stunning and being part of the weed team it is a wonderful opportunity to experience and explore these islands that are not open to the general public.
Volunteer Feedback: “The best thing about the project was to be able to be in an amazing environment with good people, seeing rare animals and getting an insight into what DOC does.”
Calendar for island weeding 2009/2010
Spring season
21 – 29 September, Lady Alice
5 - 13 October, Hen West*
19 – 23 October, Hen East*
27 – 31 October, Hen East*
2 – 10 November, Hen West*
16 – 24 November, Hen East*
30 Nov – 8 December, Hen East*
Summer season
11 – 19 January, Lady Alice
26 Jan – 02 February, Whatupuke
8 – 16 February, Hen West*
22 Feb – 2 March, Hen East*
8 – 16 March, Hen West*
22 – 30 March, Hen East*
* Please note: due to the nature of Hen Island, volunteers won’t be included in these trips unless they have participated previously in at least one trip to the other islands (Lady Alice and Whatupuke) and demonstrated a high level of fitness.
The Department provides
- Tent and air mattress (unless on Lady Alice which has a hut)
- Food
- Cooking and eating utensils
- Transport to and from the island
Volunteer must bring
- Personal sleeping bag
- Personal clothes and toiletries
- Recreation items e.g.: camera, fishing rod, book, ipod, cards etc
A volunteer abseils down a steep cliff
face on Hen Island
Fitness level
Due to the strenuous nature of the work and the hilly terrain, a high fitness and stamina level is required to weed the majority of these islands. Volunteers must also be comfortable traversing over loose terrain and cope with heights.
Volunteer Feedback: “Good experience, very steep.”
Isolation
Volunteers must be able to cope with the isolation of an island situation - especially with the 10 day trips and be able to work and live in close proximity with a small group.
Volunteer Feedback: “10 days is a long time, especially in bad weather.”
Boat trip
Access to the islands is via boat which takes approximately 30 - 45 minutes (depending on sea conditions). Volunteers will be required to assist with loading and unloading of gear from the boat.
Cost
Contribution toward food and costs incurred
- $100.00 per person per 9 day trip or
- $60.00 per person per 5 day trip
Contact
For further information contact
Lyn Davison ldavison@doc.govt.nz or
Lynnie Gibson lgibson@doc.govt.nz