Update on the Pureora Working Bee Field Trip

We are really looking forward to seeing you all at the upcoming working bee in the Pureora Forest!

For those of you who have registered to come, you will have received an email with all of the information you need before you arrive.

Please make sure you fill in your volunteer information form and email it back to hannah@tongariro.org.nz as soon as possible.

If you would like to organise a ride share and you are happy for me to share your email address, please let me know hannah@tongariro.org.nz

Please also make sure you check out the “potluck” dinner allocation for Saturday evening.

You can also find the documents here:

Equipment List
Pureora Lodge Facilities
Directions
Volunteer Information Form
Potluck Dinner Meal Allocation

Pureora Lodge

WEEKEND SCHEDULE

Friday: Arrive anytime after 4:30 pm and before 7:45 pm for a safety briefing. In the meantime, there's an opportunity to cook your evening meal and relax with a glass of wine. During the briefing, you'll be advised about the bait line(s) you are to empty, gather the necessary safety gear provided, and meet your teammate. All arrangements are sorted before the weekend. Typically, University Science students, who assist, go out around 9:30 pm to walk the Waipapa loop, returning at about 10:30 pm.

Saturday: Breakfast is self-catered. Be ready for a group photo at 7:25 am, and departure from the Lodge is at 7:30 am. We'll then form a convoy in larger vehicles for a further 40-45 minute drive along 16 km of dirt road to reach the base of our operation. For those heading further up the eastern side, they can continue in their vehicles. Others will start walking up a track through the middle of the valley to reach the lines on the western side. Those with the farthest walk (i.e., the very north of the block) will get a ride in an LUV to reach their destination faster – it's a 6 km stretch from top to bottom of the grid.

Everyone will be given a return time to the base by the end of the day, or to at least be on the roads heading back to the base. As soon as enough people return to fill a vehicle, it will head back to the Lodge. In the evening, we'll have a potluck dinner (so bring along something to share), possibly followed by a presentation from a Project Tongariro representative.

Sunday:  Repeat the process of Saturday if not all the bait stations have been emptied (we need at least 60 people on a Saturday to achieve this).  A small team will go back to the base and visit those lines still to do – usually nearby. Returning to the Lodge about 1pm. Meantime those who remained at the lodge are responsible for the lodge clean-up. Then we all pack up and depart.

If the whole grid has been covered on Saturday then volunteers can opt to leave on Saturday afternoon/evening or stay the night and leave on Sunday morning after the cleaning has been completed – allow 1 hour for cleaning.

There is every chance you will hear Kōkako. We know their territories are more or less evenly distributed across the valley. Three of them are frequently seen around the base about 4-6pm. And often heard at the Lodge before breakfast.  Follow this link to read about Pirongia’s project looking after the Okahukura Valley.

Other walking opportunities: The Totara Loop walk in Pureora village starts at the Timber Trail carpark. It takes about 30 minutes; or visit the treetop tower a short drive east from here; and further up SH30 is the parking area to walk to Pouakani, the biggest Totara.