Volunteer week

Volunteer week

The latest Ki Uta Ki Tai Volunteer Week took place on 26-29 September and once again it was a resounding success. The four conservation groups, Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka, River Estuary Care, East Otago Taiāpure and Hawksbury Lagoon, welcomed student volunteers from two University of Otago classes (supervised by Dr. Anne-Marie Jackson and Assoc. Prof Lyn Carter) and many members of the community and past helpers, who had previously volunteered in the field.

On the first day, the volunteers worked with Hawksbury Lagoon, planting native trees and shrubs at an old pine plantation site, at the lagoon.

On Saturday, they teamed up with River Estuary Care to plant native trees along the north branch of the Waikouaiti River, on a sheep and beef farm behind the beautiful Hikaroroa maunga. The owners recently fenced off a large area of riparian margin to exclude stock from the river.

More than 50 volunteers were present throughout the day and spirits were high, the sun was shining and over 1700 plants were planted.

As a result of this mahi, the habitat for long finned eels will be enhanced and the water quality should also be improved.

On Sunday, Mark Brown from Blueskin Nursery, talked to the volunteers about seed-raising and after lunch they visited the East Otago Tāiapure to survey marine life in the estuary and in and around the Huriawa Peninsula.

On Monday, the group was treated to a morning waka ama paddle with the rūnaka. It was a time to reflect on the previous three days and to understand the importance of relationships and what it is that makes the programme work.

Mahinga kai lies at the heart of volunteer week. Whānau are encouraged to be kaitiaki of their environment and to express the values of looking after these places that nurture us, through the food that is supplied. It feeds the hearts and minds of people; also feeding our wairua, hinengaro and whānau.