Volunteer crew at Tarawera Falls
Image: Dean Strachan | DOC

Introduction

Come along to help DOC rangers and community groups enhance local gems in Rotorua.

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

February 2023

Mokaihaha Track Maintenance

When: Wednesday 15 February 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

What: Track maintenance with Heritage and Visitor Rangers

Where: Mokaihaha Track

Task: Maintaining the track and vegetation

Requirements:

  • High fitness
  • Able to walk 6km carrying tools
  • Comfortable hiking boots

April 2023

Mangorewa Track Maintenance

When: Wednesday 12 April, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

What: Track Maintenance with Visitors and Heritage DOC rangers.

Where: Mangorewa Track

Task: Maintaining the Track and Foliage.

Requirements:

  • High fitness
  • 9 km
  • Comfortable hiking boots and extra socks

May 2023

Tarawera Trail Maintenance

When: Tuesday 16, Wednesday 17 and Thursday May 18, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

What: Track maintenance with Heritage and Visitor Rangers

Where: Tarawera Trail

Task: Maintaining Track And vegetation

Requirements:

  • High fitness
  • Able to walk 5km on undulating track carrying tools
  • Comfortable hiking boots

June 2023

Tarawera Falls Track and Tarawera Outlet to Falls Track Maintenance

When: Wednesday 21 June,  8:30 am – 4:30 pm

What: Track maintenance with Heritage and Visitor Rangers

Where: Tarawera Falls and Tarawera Outlet to Falls Track

Task: Maintaining track and vegetation

Requirements:

  • Good fitness
  • Able to walk 6 km on undulating track carrying tools
  • Comfortable hiking boots

July 2023

Northern Tarawera Track Maintenance

When: Wednesday 19 July, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

What: : Track maintenance with Heritage and Visitor Rangers

Where: Northern Tarawera Track

Task:  Maintaining track and vegetation

Requirements:

  • Good fitness
  • Able to walk 6 km on undulating track carrying tools
  • Comfortable hiking boots

August 2023

Eastern Ōkataina Walkway Maintenance

When: Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 August, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

What: Track maintenance with Heritage and Visitor Rangers

Where: Eastern Ōkataina Walkway

Task: Maintaining track and vegetation

Requirements:

  • Good fitness
  • Able to walk 11 km on undulating track carrying tools
  • Comfortable hiking boots

September 2023

Spring Restoration Planting

When: Throughout the month of September

What: Native Tree Planting  with biodiversity rangers

Where: Rotorua District

Task: Plant native trees

Requirements:

  • Medium fitness and able to dig and plant small trees and plants

October 2023

Tarawera Trail Maintenance

When: Tuesday 17, Wednesday 18, Thursday 19 October, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

What: Track maintenance with Heritage and Visitor Rangers

Where: Tarawera Trail

Task: Maintaining Track And vegetation

Requirements:

  • High fitness
  • Able to walk 5 km on undulating track carrying tools
  • Comfortable hiking boots

November 2023

Orchid Survey

When: Friday 24 November,

What: Annual survey of the Red Bearded Orchid (Calochilus robertsonii) with DOC biodiversity rangers.

Where: Rotorua district 

Task: Survey The Red Bearded Orchid with Biodiversity Rangers

Requirements:

  • Low to medium fitness
  • Comfortable close toed walking shoes /boots

December 2023

Ashpit Road Camp Maintenance at Lake Rerewhakaaitu

When: Wednesday 13 December, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

What: Maintenance with the Visitors and Heritage DOC rangers.

Where: Rerewhakaaitu, Ash Pit Road Campsite

Task: Mowing grass, trimming edges around structures, painting, cleaning toilets, weed spraying, clearing branches.

Requirements:

  • Low to medium fitness
  • Comfortable boots (steel caps for Scrub barring – weed trimer)

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 for any of the above, contact:

Catherine Noble, Ranger
Phone: +64 275 423 683
Email: cnoble@doc.govt.nz

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