Duke of Edinburgh Volunteering - Ratonga Tūao Ngā Mahi Rato

Voluntary Service is your opportunity to give back. You’ll build self-confidence and communication skills and learn how you can make a difference in your community.

Our Kaupapa

Tūhaitara Coastal Park is dedicated to the rehabilitation and management of the 700ha coastal park, which spans from the Waimakariri River to Waikuku Beach. The park is home to many natural features of local, regional, and national importance. We strive to protect and preserve these natural wonders for future generations to enjoy as well as enhancing Ngāi Tahi Whanui vlaues and mahinga kai for the community.

As well as running community planting and weed busting days to restore the area. The Trust is establishing a series of 'biota nodes' along the 10.5km length of the Trusts lands at approximately 250m centres.

With ‘biota’ meaning the ecological system (flora and fauna) of a particular environment, and ‘node’ being a point of intersection, these biota nodes are a series of small, localised points of native wildlife, which, as they mature, will extend outwards to form a ‘biodiversity skeleton’ stretching the length of the park. Each contains a freshwater pond and native plant life that will attract birds, aiding seed transfer for easy and eventual self-maintaining propagation.

Each Node is to be adopted and maintained by a business, school, class, whanau or community group.

Currently we have 65 biota nodes, which have been established. Over 10,000 native plants including manuka, harakeke, ti kouka,  tarata, ake ake, kahikatea and totara, among others, have been planted.