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
August 2026
Date: Tuesday 25 August
Time: 8:30 am to 12 pm midday and 1 pm to 4 pm
What: Restoration Planting
Where: Puarenga Street, Sala Street, Rotorua
Task: Plant native trees along the Puarenga Stream continuing the restoration project. Come for half a day or a full day.
Requirements:
- Wear: outdoor clothing appropriate to weather conditions, work/hiking/gumboots.
- Bring: Raincoat, hat, drinking water, snack, lunch, and a spade if you have one.
Registration: Pre-registration is essential. In the event of cancellation, only those who have registered will be contacted.
August 2026
Date: Thursday 27 August
Time: 8:30 am to 12 pm midday and 1 pm to 4 pm
What: Restoration Planting
Where: Puarenga Street, Sala Street, Rotorua
Task: Plant native trees along the Puarenga Stream continuing the restoration project. Come for half a day or a full day.
Requirements:
- Wear: outdoor clothing appropriate to weather conditions, work/hiking/gumboots.
- Bring: Raincoat, hat, drinking water, snack, lunch, and a spade if you have one.
Registration: Pre-registration is essential. In the event of cancellation, only those who have registered will be contacted.
September 2026
Date: Tuesday 1 September
Time: 8:30 am to 12 pm midday and 1 pm to 4 pm
What: Restoration Planting
Where: Puarenga Street, Sala Street, Rotorua
Task: Plant native trees along the Puarenga Stream continuing the restoration project. Come for half a day or a full day.
Requirements:
- Wear: outdoor clothing appropriate to weather conditions, work/hiking/gumboots.
- Bring: Raincoat, hat, drinking water, snack, lunch, and a spade if you have one.
Registration: Pre-registration is essential. In the event of cancellation, only those who have registered will be contacted.
September 2026
Date: Thursday 3 September
Time: 8:30 am to 12 pm midday and 1 pm to 4 pm
What: Restoration Planting
Where: Puarenga Street, Sala Street, Rotorua
Task: Plant native trees along the Puarenga Stream continuing the restoration project. Come for half a day or a full day.
Requirements:
- Wear: outdoor clothing appropriate to weather conditions, work/hiking/gumboots.
- Bring: Raincoat, hat, drinking water, snack, lunch, and a spade if you have one.
Registration: Pre-registration is essential. In the event of cancellation, only those who have registered will be contacted.
September 2026
Date: Thursday 8 September
Time: 8:30 am to 4 pm
What: Restoration Planting
Where: Maungapouri Scenic Reserve
Task: Plant native trees scenic reserve continuing the restoration project.
Requirements:
- Wear: outdoor clothing appropriate to weather conditions, work/hiking/gumboots.
- Bring: Raincoat, hat, drinking water, snack, lunch, and a spade if you have one.
Registration: Pre-registration is essential. In the event of cancellation, only those who have registered will be contacted.
September 2026
Date: Tuesday 15 September
Time: 8:30 am to 12 pm midday and 1 pm to 4 pm
What: Restoration Planting
Where: Rainbow Paddock, Maunga Kakaramea, Rotorua
Task: Plant native trees, continuing the restoration project. Come for half a day or a full day.
Requirements:
- Wear: outdoor clothing appropriate to weather conditions, work/hiking/gumboots.
- Bring: Raincoat, hat, drinking water, snack, lunch, and a spade if you have one.
Registration: Pre-registration is essential. In the event of cancellation, only those who have registered will be contacted.
September 2026
Date: Thursday 17 September
Time: 8:30 am to 12 pm midday and 1 pm to 4 pm
What: Restoration Planting
Where: Rainbow Paddock, Maunga Kakaramea, Rotorua
Task: Plant native trees, continuing the restoration project. Come for half a day or a full day.
Requirements:
- Wear: outdoor clothing appropriate to weather conditions, work/hiking/gumboots.
- Bring: Raincoat, hat, drinking water, snack, lunch, and a spade if you have one.
Registration: Pre-registration is essential. In the event of cancellation, only those who have registered will be contacted.
September 2026
Date: Tuesday 22 September
Time: 8:30 am to 12 pm midday and 1 pm to 4 pm
What: Restoration Planting
Where: Rainbow Paddock, Maunga Kakaramea, Rotorua
Task: Plant native trees, continuing the restoration project. Come for half a day or a full day.
Requirements:
- Wear: outdoor clothing appropriate to weather conditions, work/hiking/gumboots.
- Bring: Raincoat, hat, drinking water, snack, lunch, and a spade if you have one.
Registration: Pre-registration is essential. In the event of cancellation, only those who have registered will be contacted.
September 2026
Date: Tuesday 24 September
Time: 8:30 am - 4 pm
What: Restoration Planting
Where: Lake Ngahewa
Task: Plant native trees, continuing the restoration project.
Requirements:
- Wear: outdoor clothing appropriate to weather conditions, work/hiking/gumboots.
- Bring: Raincoat, hat, drinking water, snack, lunch, and a spade if you have one.
Registration: Pre-registration is essential. In the event of cancellation, only those who have registered will be contacted.
September 2026
Date: Tuesday 29 September
Time: 8:30 am - 4 pm
What: Restoration Planting
Where: Waikite Geothermal Wetland
Task: Plant native trees in the unique wetland continuing the restoration project.
Requirements:
- Wear: outdoor clothing appropriate to weather conditions and workboots/gumboots – you will get wet feet
- Bring: Raincoat, hat, drinking water, snack, lunch, and a spade if you have one.
Registration: Pre-registration is essential. In the event of cancellation, only those who have registered will be contacted.
October 2026
Date: Thursday 1 October
Time: 8:30 am - 4 pm
What: Restoration Planting
Where: Waikite Geothermal Wetland
Task: Plant native trees in the unique wetland continuing the restoration project.
Requirements:
- Wear: outdoor clothing appropriate to weather conditions and workboots/gumboots – you will get wet feet.
- Bring: Raincoat, hat, drinking water, snack, lunch, and a spade if you have one.
Registration: Pre-registration is essential. In the event of cancellation, only those who have registered will be contacted.
October 2026
Date: Tuesday 6 October
Time: 8:30 am to 4 pm
What: Restoration Planting
Where: Waikite Geothermal Wetland
Task: Plant native trees in the unique wetland continuing the restoration project.
Requirements:
- Wear: outdoor clothing appropriate to weather conditions and workboots/gumboots – you will get wet feet.
- Bring: Raincoat, hat, drinking water, snack, lunch, and a spade if you have one.
Registration: Pre-registration is essential. In the event of cancellation, only those who have registered will be contacted.
November 2026
Date: Friday 27 November
Time: 9 am – 1 pm
What: Annual survey of the Red Bearded Orchid (Calochilus robertsonii) in association with Rotorua Botanical Society.
Where: Rotorua District
Task: Survey the Red Bearded Orchid population to determine population size and distribution
Requirements:
- Low to medium fitness
- Comfortable close toed walking shoes /boots/raincoat/sunhat/drink
Registration: For more information and to register, contact: Kristina Thompson kthompson@doc.govt.nz or 0273022774
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