Waikato

News - Upcoming and Recent Events - Past Events

The Creation Care Study Forum started in 2006 with regular meetings/discussions about topics of interest related to the environment and faith, this was before A Rocha ANZ had officially formed.

Since then several people from the Waikato group have been heavily involved in the formation of ARANZ Nationally, including Richard Storey (Chair), Rob Davies-Colley (Team), Keith and Carolyn Hamill (Team), Kristel van Houte - Howes (National Director) and Justin Howes (Team). Major events like the Conference in Raglan and the 07/08 teams at Parachute Music festival have been led/facilitated by the Waikato group in particular.

Other practical projects have included planting and weed clearing projects around the Waikato and Auckland areas. The Karioi Restoration Project and Trees at the Meteor are combined local and National projects/fundraiser's supported by the Waikato Crew - whom are currently looking at a longer term restoration project in the Hamilton area to get involved in. A small group also meets irregularly in Whaingaroa/Raglan.

A Rocha ANZ is supported by Local Waikato businesses/organisations: Fusion Print Group Ltd, INCEDO & Graphic Designers THEREFORMATION

News

Mount Karioi Restoration Project - Whaingaroa/Raglan

A partnership between ARANZ and Te Whakaoranga o Karioi Inc Society has been established and work has begun on a restoration project on Mnt Karioi in Whaingaroa/Raglan.

ARANZ and TWOK have been in dialogue with Whaingaroa hapu, Environment Waikato, The Department of Conservation and other interested community groups and individuals. A management plan has now been prepared, and work has begun on a small segment of the mountain called the "Upper Wainui Reserve"... (read more)

Want to help? Its been fun times getting the Karioi project started, thanks to everyone for helping out. Now that the bulk of the monitoring work is almost done, we really need to recruit some more help for setting up rat traps and checking the lines every week or so ... this started seriously in August 2009. We would love to hear from as many residents around Raglan and Upper Wainui Reserve especially, that are willing to help out checking a trapping line or two once in a while. This can be a weekly thing or a once in a while commitment to suit your availability. Not sure whats involved? We will organise a time for you to get familiar with what's required... most lines will only take about an hour to check... great excuse to get out in the bush! Lines available for the more and less bush experienced sorts!

Please contact us to indicate your interest, no previous experience necessary!

Upcoming and Recent Events

For more information about upcoming events, please email us at new.zealand@arocha.org

Kia ora everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful summer break. We've been getting back into the swing of things - January was a busy time - a few weeks ago A Rocha spend the weekend at Parachute - with a stand in the Global expo Tent, braving the pouring rain and scorching sun ... while a bunch of keen young people spend a week in Tongariro at the first A Rocha led ECO ADVENTURE camp. This month we'd love to catch up with you - so please come along ...

Sunday 28th February 2010 (6pm) - Happy New years BBQ and catch up. Please bring BBQ food/salad/drink to share.

Thursday 18th February 2010 (7.30pm) - Mt Karioi project. A quick meeting to regroup and chat about our plans. Another exciting year - trapping rats, stoats and possums on our Maunga. With a small grant from the Community Conservation Fund we will be able to expand our small project down the mountain to the sea - into Bryant reserve. New tracks have been made throughout the reserve - including the Upper Wainui Reserve - so this is a great time to go check it out if you have not already. We hope you will join us again this year - setting and checking lines - a little bit of time and enthusiasm is all you need. We would love to see you.

Past Events

Sunday 20th December - Mt Karioi project. Check and set rat traps.

Sunday 13th December 2009 - Mt Karioi project. Check and set rat traps.

Sunday 6th December 2009 - Mt Karioi project. Check and set rat traps.

Sunday 29th November 2009 - Mt Karioi project. Check and set rat traps.

Sunday 22nd November 2009 - Mt Karioi project. Check and set rat traps.

Sunday 15th November 2009 - Mt Karioi project. Check and set rat traps.

Sunday 8th November 2009 - Mt Karioi project. Check and set rat traps.

Sunday 1st November 2009 - Mt Karioi project. Check and set rat traps.

Sunday 25th October 2009 - Mt Karioi project. Check and set rat traps.

Sunday 18th October 2009 - Mt Karioi project. Bird count, collation of rat data, and coffee and breakfast.

August 2009 - Gully Planting and Pot-luck dinner, Hamilton.

August 2009 - Mt Karioi project. Check and set rat traps. Training and equipment provided.

July 2009 - Mt Karioi project. Monitoring rat tracking tunnels.

July 2009 - Waikato A Rocha Outside Day: Organic Weed Control Workshop. Award-winning environmental educator, Nelson Lebo, ran a hands-on workshop teaching us about organic weed control. This workshop was appropriate for beginners through to experienced gardeners. Topics: crop rotation, understanding No-Till systems, breaking pest and disease cycles, building soil fertility (mulches and composts), cutting down on watering needs, etc. Nelson has 18 years teaching experience and has been an organic farmer and green builder for the last ten years. He has been trained in Organic Land Care, Ecological Design/Build, Eco-Renovation and holds a Permaculture Design Certificate. He has worked as a design consultant and educator in the USA, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, India and New Zealand. He is currently pursuing a PhD in permaculture education at the University of Waikato.

July 2009 - Mt Karioi project. Morning: Vegetation study and bird count (+ finish trap lines if needed). Great coffee and breakfast included! Afternoon: Make rat trap tunnels with Andrew and Ian.

June 2009 - Mt Karioi project. Saturday: Tracking cards deployed in monitoring tunnels. Sunday: Tracking cards removed from tunnels + Vegetation studies continued + insect monitoring with Hugh Oliver ... Great opportunity for insect loving kids! - (but please just let us know your coming).

June 2009 - Waikato A Rocha Inside Night : 'River/Road: an ecological journey'. A presentation preview and discussion facilitated by our very own David Cook! David Cook will show a preview of 'River/Road: an ecological journey', a photographic exhibition and web project opening at the Waikato Museum on 2 October 2009. Over the past couple of years David has been travelling between Hamilton and Ngaruawahia by road and by river, making images that speak about the ecology of these spaces. The exhibition includes a digital interactive component with stories about the region - the discussions we have at this presentation will contribute to these stories. Come along and be part of the journey. Location: Wintec, P block - on the corner of Tristram and Collingwood Streets (directly across road from BP gas station). (Map)

April 2009 - Potting up native plants. Venue: Desert Springs Ministries' Te Kaakano Native Plant Nusery, This was a chance to have a look around, see what they do, and lend a hand.

April 2009 - Mount Karioi Restoration Project. Bird Count, Vegetation study and setting of rat monitoring tunnels. Rats will be monitored 3 weeks later and then several times monthly before we start rat trapping in August 2009. Keen to help make rat trap tunnels and/or weta boxes? Please let us know!

March 2009 - Discussion about restoring Karioi Maunga (see below).

Feb 2009 - Animal Pest Management and Safe Working in the Bush workshop.

A Rocha Aotearoa New Zealand is partnering with Te Whakaoranga o Karioi Inc Society, in the first community initiated pest eradication project on Karioi Maunga, Whaingaroa - Raglan in 2009. The Animal Pest Management and Safe Working in the Bush workshop was organised by Biodiversity Advice Waikato and the Waikato Biodiversity Forum. Venue: Pirongia School. (Associated images courtesy of Nick Empson).

The two groups together with Maori land owners and Raglan residents will meet on the 2nd March to discuss how the community can get involved in restoring Karioi Maunga.

Feb 2009 - Hello 2009 Barbeque. Bring: Meat or vege alternative + one other addition + kids + partners + friends :)

Click here for Waikato events in 2008 and earlier.