Trounson Kauri Park volunteers

Project Name: Trounson Kauri Park - Field Volunteer.

When: Year round.

Where: Trounson Kauri Park - 30 minutes North of Dargaville on West Coast.

Description: Trounson Kauri Park is managed by the Department of Conservation and is one of only six Mainland Islands in New Zealand. The only one in Northland and New Zealand’s only fully protected kauri forest ecosystem. The development of Mainland Islands is a new and exciting approach to threatened species conservation being undertaken by the Department of Conservation.

Kaihu River, Trounson Kauri Park,
Northland

A “mainland” island seeks to provide a secure environment for native flora and fauna - safe from the combined effects of predators and other pests. The vision for the intensive management programme in not only to restore Trounson to how it once looked, but also to investigate and develop management tools for stoat/mustelid, feral cat, possum and rodent control. Before the development of mainland islands this level of security was only available on some offshore islands like Poor Knights, Little Barrier and Kapiti where intensive management has achieved total eradication of pests in some cases.

Volunteers participate in a wider range of field activities to support the research and work of park staff, including track maintenance, trap monitoring, weeding, planting etc.

Fitness/skills: Medium to high- depending on the activities undertaken.

Accommodation: A bunk hut with refrigerator, electric stove; and separate ablution facilities that have hot water..

What to bring: Personal gear - warm and cold weather clothes, sleeping bag, personal first aide kit.

Food: Bring your own food for entire stay, tea and coffee provided, Fresh water available.

Pickup: arrangements to be made.

Bookings: Minimum one week stay required, volunteer opportunities available through out year based on skills, interest and availability.