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

Karioi Project website

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

Wetland Trust website

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

Te Pahu Landcare website

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

Rotopiko Community Pest Control Project website

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