Description

Rangers from Rotorua invite you to join our monthly volunteer days. The activities and the location will vary from month to month.

As well as helping out DOC rangers and community groups, you'll also get to learn about the history of the project area, go on a walk, or even catch a glimpse of some of the amazing wildlife.

Dates

April 2026

Date: 11 April
Time: 8:45 am – 12 pm
What: Okareka Mistletoe Restoration Project Weed Control/Plant Releasing Workday
Where: Corner Summit and Loop Roads, Okareka (lake end) next to start of mistletoe track
Task: Work alongside the Rotorua Botanical Society and Landcare Ōkāreka releasing the plantings from weed growth and doing further weed control including hand pulling, cutting, and sawing of small vines, climbers and shrubs and ground covers.

Requirements:

• Medium–Hard – Activities suitable for all ages and abilities will be provided.
• Wear: sturdy shoes/boots, water, overalls, or long trousers, gardening gloves and pruners

For more information, contact Paul Cashmore:
pcashmore@doc.govt.nz  or 027 2051922

Date: 12 April
Time: 7:45 am – 5 pm
What: Ruawahia Wilding Conifer Project, Mt Tarawera
Where: Meet at the DOC Ashpit Road campground
Task: Work alongside the Ruawahia Trustees and Rotorua Botanical Society pulling wilding conifers on Mt Tarawera.

Requirements:

• Medium-hard, and confidence in walking on steep mobile scoria slopes and along high and sharp ridges is needed
• Wear: Sturdy shoes/boots, water, overalls, or long trousers, gardening gloves and pruners
• Bring: Minimum 2 litres water, lunch and snacks, wet weather and warm gear, sun hat, sunblock, boots or sturdy shoes, gaiters and/or leggings an advantage for loose scoria, gloves for pulling out pines and hi-viz (if you have these otherwise provided), folding pruning saw (if you have one otherwise provided).

Registration: Pre-registration is essential. Maximum of 20 people. Minimum age 14 years old.

To register and for additional information please contact: Paul Cashmore pcashmore@doc.govt.nz or 027 2051922

What to expect

Volunteers may find themselves helping to maintain walking tracks, tackling invasive weeds, helping with pest control or planting native trees. Some tasks may be physically demanding.

You should wear appropriate clothing and footwear for the task.

Transport may be provided – check with the office.

For track and maintenance days you can expect to do the following:

• Use hand tools to trim any low hanging branches/vines or encroaching
• Collect rubbish
• Remove debris from tracks
• General track maintenance

What to bring

• Food for lunch
• Drinking water
• Sun hat
• Raincoat
• Personal medication
• Phone
• Good footwear (boots preferred)
• Back pack
• Appropriate clothing

DOC will provide

• Safety Hi-vis vest
• Gloves and eye-wear if required
• Hand-tools
• First-aid kit

Contact

For more information and to register, contact: cnoble@doc.govt.nz