Waikato conservation groups
Introduction
Get involved with conservation groups working with DOC in Waikato.Listed below are some volunteer based groups that you can get involved with. You'll learn new skills, meet like-minded people, contribute to conservation, and increase your connection to your local community and natural spaces.
For more conservation volunteer opportunities in Waikato volunteer for a DOC project.
Friends of Barret Bush
Aim: To restore a remnant stand of kahikatea at Barret Bush, west of Hamilton. The Friends have been instrumental in acquiring land to add to this scenic reserve and hold regular working bees each month to undertake weeding, planting and animal pest control.
Contact: Betty Collins
Email: collinsbetty65@gmail.com
Call: +64 7 847 8271
Friends of Pukemokemoke Bush Reserve
Aim: To protect and enhance this 40 ha reserve 20 minutes north of Hamilton. Volunteer working bees involve track maintenance, bird monitoring, removal of invasive weeds especially privet, and the planting of native trees.
Kakepuku Mountain Project
Aim: To reduce pest animal populations on Kakepuku Maunga and minimise their impact on forest and native birds, and reintroduce New Zealand falcon and North Island robin.
Karioi Project
Aim: To restore biodiversity from mountain to sea. The Karioi Project works with the Whāingaroa community to deliver predator control, seabird monitoring and environmental education.
Contact: Kristel van Houte
Email: kristel.vanhoute@arocha.org
Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust
Aim: To restore the ecology of Maungatautari, a forested volcanic cone near Cambridge. A 47 km predator proof fence was erected in order to establish a pest-free mainland island.
Email: info@sanctuarymountain.co.nz
Phone: +64 7 870 5180
Maungatautari Ecological Island Trust website
National Wetland Trust
Aim: To restore and enhance an ancient peat lake and mature kahikatea forest inside a pest fence near Ohaupo, including reconstructing rare peat bogs and developing facilities for the National Wetland Centre.
Contact: Karen Denyer
Email: enquiries@wetlandtrust.org.nz
Pirongia Te Aroara o Kahu Restoration Society
Aim: To restore the native ecosystems of Mt Pirongia. The society successfully reintroduced Pitoitoi/North Island robin and North Island kōkako, and manages remnant populations of Dactylanthus taylorii.
Email: mtpirongiarestoration@gmail.com
Phone: +64 27 3248 195
Pirongia Te Aroara o Kahu Restoration Society website
Pirongia Te Aroara o Kahu Restoration Society Facebook page
Port Waikato Beachcare
Aim: To enhance the local environment through dune restoration planting and native shorebird protection – New Zealand dotterel, banded dotterel and variable oystercatcher. Over the winter months the dune restoration project involves the planting of native sand-binders and coastal forest species.
Contact: Niels Leffelaar
Email: portwaikatobeachcare@gmail.com
Project Manu
Aim: To protect the forest of the Mangaokewa Reserve near Te Kuiti. Volunteers are welcome to help with baiting/track maintenance days and weed control.
Te Pahu LandCare Group
Aim: To protect and enhance Te Pahū’s natural indigenous environment and recreational opportunities through community awareness and involvement for the benefit and enjoyment of everyone.
Email: landcare@tepahu.co.nz
Rotopiko Community Pest Control Project
Aim: To reduce pest animal populations and provide a safe haven for native wetland wildlife, including matuku (Australasian bittern), matata (fernbird) and puweto (spotless crake) around North and South Lakes, Rotopiko, Ohaupo.
Contact: Nardene Berry
Email: nardene.berry@landcare.org.nz