WRCT VOLUNTEERS - Community Waitakere

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WRCT VOLUNTEERS - Community Waitakere
WRCT VOLUNTEERS
      Working together for healthier streams and river through community participation and kaitiakitanga
       News, views and information on the sustainable management and biodiversity restoration of the Whau River catchment

                 Kia ora koutou - Greetings to you all

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                 September 2020

WRCT Community Plant Nursery: Individual Volunteers Wanted

                                              Thanks to the volunteers who have worked in our nursery this year.
                                              Especially to John and Suzanne Newnham (photo) who have worked many
                                              hours at the nursery and have helped make a huge difference. Currently we
                                              are potting-up plants into larger bags to enable them to grow a good root
                                              system for the next planting season. Once they are planted-out, they need
                                              to be checked regularly and kept free from invasive weeds. Weeds can grow
                                              quicker than the native plants and can smother them. Once weeds are
                                              removed, the native plants quickly establish in their new environment. The
                                              more native plants we can plant the more food and shelter is available for
                                              native wildlife, along with soaking plants ability to absorb carbon dioxide
                                              from our atmosphere. If you are willing to give up a bit of your time to our
                                              nursery, we are operating most Thursdays and Fridays. Contact Justine by
                                              email: justine@whauriver.org.nz or by phone: 021 627 864 for more details.

Ecological Restoration: Recent team activity on the Rosebank Peninsula

                                              Volunteering Auckland continue to hook us up with some great corporate
                                              teams who are fun to work with and fantastic at staying on task. Recently
                                              we welcomed LexisNexis and Invacare onto our sites and made great
                                              inroads with exotic weed control. We snuck in another 700 plants in early
                                              September with the incredible Green S Welfare Force. This was a task we
                                              had lined up for a 30 strong local scout group but we couldn’t run the event
                                              under Level 2.5 so Green S Welfare Force stepped up and got these plants
                                              into the ground with just five volunteers! Lovely to work with such committed
                                              group of people. Check out this Seven Sharp piece on their retro threads .

                               36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand
                                          P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz
                           W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment
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WRCT VOLUNTEERS - Community Waitakere
Environmental Education: Stream water testing

                                         A stream is more than a body of water floating along. It is a home for many
                                         plants and animals. Healthy streams have a healthy ecosystem thriving
                                         within and around it. The great thing about testing the stream waters health
                                         is that you can get a glimpse of the wildlife living within the stream. Each
                                         stream is unique; therefore, each stream has a different ecosystem within
                                         it. This is something that people can observe when they attend a stream
                                         water testing. Last weekend we visited the stream running through the
                                         Waikumete Cemetery (Gaden Stream). The observers saw many different
                                         species that were not present in the stream tested earlier in the month.
                                         There were shrimps, mayfly and stonefly. The presence of mayflies and
                                         stoneflies shows that the stream is relatively healthy, as these species are
                                         sensitive to pollutants and habitat changes. This is great to see. Next time
                                         we are testing a stream in an urban environment. It will be interesting to see
                                         what lives there and to compare other results. If you are interested to see
                                         what life exists in a stream near you, join us at our next stream monitoring
                                         event. Contact Justine by email: justine@whauriver.org.nz or by phone: 021
                                         627 864. Photo taken by Nargiss.

Biodiversity: Butterfly habitat

                                        The Butterfly Habitat in the Blockhouse Bay Recreational Reserve
                                        welcomed their volunteers and members of the Whau Local Board to an
                                        impromptu celebration recently to thank the Board for their new interpretative
                                        sign. A group of volunteers are improving a section of the Te Ngahere in the
                                        park for the benefit of butterflies and butterfly-lovers. Do take a look
                                        sometime. It is just beyond the outdoor tennis courts if you are coming from
                                        the Rathlin St. car park. At the moment, the monarchs have returned after
                                        their overwintering habitat elsewhere in Auckland. Nobody saw any clusters
                                        this winter in the park, but perhaps they were there. We have been busy
                                        planting Swan Plants (for the monarchs to lay eggs on) and planting plenty
                                        of nectar sources for all butterflies. We are hoping that we will see the
                                        Honshu White Admirals (Limenitis glorifica) this summer in the park. They
                                        were introduced about five years ago from Japan as a biological control for
                                        Japanese honeysuckle, of which there is plenty growing in the Blockhouse
                                        Bay area. We hope the Honeysuckle plants aren’t sprayed because the less
                                        pesticide used the better it is for all of us. Cheers Jacqui.

Ecological Restoration: Elephant Grass trials on the Kurt Brehmer Walk

                                        Trials have been established on the KBW controlling regrowth of Arundo
                                        donax with the minimum use of chemicals. Post cutting, four areas have
                                        been given one of the following treatments, 1) covered with a tarp, 2) treated
                                        with a glyphosate gel, 3) continuous cutting of re-sprouting shoots to
                                        replicate grazing. 4) grubbing out of roots. Te Uru have a fantastic exhibition
                                        running just now of botanical photographs which describes Arundo as
                                        perhaps the fastest growing plant in the world, capable of >7cm growth a
                                        day - great hope of the green fuels movement and bane of wetland
                                        conservators.

                             36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand
                                        P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz
                         W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment
                                                        2
WRCT VOLUNTEERS - Community Waitakere
Ecological Restoration: In need of a green workout?

                                          People with energy to burn are what we are looking for with this task.
                                          Anthony and Ofa pictured were our star volunteers last week, grubbing out
                                          Arundo grass root balls. Using a pinch bar, a mattock and sharp spades,
                                          they levered out Olympic size quantities of roots, which we will remove off
                                          site. You don’t need a massive frame for this task but you do need a strong
                                          cardio vascular system and good stamina. It’s a little bit technical too so,
                                          you get better at it as you work away. Get in touch if you fancy having a go
                                          at this – 2 hours or so is enough for most people and groups of four work
                                          very well so we can rotate the tools. Honestly, you will love it.

Biodiversity Survey: Native Plants

                                         Thank you for all the people who have participated in collecting data for our
                                         biodiversity surveys. Getting out into the local parks is such pleasure at this
                                         time of the year. The great thing about spring is that we can see the native
                                         plants producing flowers and new foliage. Taking photos of these plants via
                                         the iNaturalists app helps us to know what native plants are present and
                                         thriving within the Whau River Catchment. The data collected (photo) can
                                         also assist with knowing if there is enough food and shelter for our native
                                         fauna to thrive. The local reserves are green areas that birds from Tiritiri
                                         Matangi Island other pest free islands in the Hauraki Gulf and sanctuaries
                                         can visit when they are on the mainland. They visit the mainland as the food
                                         available is more abundant and diverse, compared to that available on the
                                         small landmass of the islands. That is why restoration projects of local
                                         reserves is so important. However, to understand how important the
                                         restoration projects are we need to monitor the plants, birds, and insects and
                                         provide pest control. So participating in our biodiversity survey is the best
                                         way to monitor the presence of plants, weeds, insects and birds. We have
                                         set up a project on the iNaturalists website called ‘Te Whau Biodiversity
                                         Survey 2020’ for anyone to participate. Check it out by clicking on this link.
                                         For more information, contact Justine – justine@whauriver.org.nz or Ph:
                                         021627864.

Kids’ Corner: Quiz

    1) What native bird           2) Am I a toetoe or          3) What non-                   4) Which native
       usually lays their            pampas grass?                seabird takes the              plants
       eggs in another               My flower head is            longest non-stop               fruits/berries can
       birds nest, to be             present from                 flight without                 only be ingested
       reared by                     September to                 taking a break for             by the Kereru?
       another species               January and it is            food or drink?
       of bird?                      golden yellow in
                                     colour and
                                     droops down.
    a)   Silvereye                a) Toetoe                    a)   Banded rail               a)   Karaka
    b)   Shining cuckoo           b) Pampas grass              b)   Kereru                    b)   Tawa
    c)   Kakapo                                                c)   Bar-tailed godwit         c)   Taraire
    d)   Godwit                                                d)   Silvereye                 d)   All of the above

                              36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand
                                         P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz
                          W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment
                                                         3
WRCT VOLUNTEERS - Community Waitakere
Native Plant of the Month: Hangehange (Geniostoma ligustrifolium)

                                        This native plant is well known for its sweet fragrance during flowering in late
                                        spring produced by the small green white flowers. Hangehange is a shrub
                                        up to 4 metres tall with lime green leaves and with slender brittle branches.
                                        It is mainly found in lowland and coastal forests. The bright lime green shiny
                                        pointed oval leaves are 4-8 cm long and are soft, thin and shiny, giving it a
                                        "fresh" look in any coastal forest garden. The flowers give off a distinctive
                                        vanilla or hyacinth scent, which in evenings or still weather hangs in the air.
                                        The black fruit develops in late summer into a dry black capsule, splitting in
                                        two, revealing the small orange seeds. This plant is a common component
                                        of understorey and forest margins as it is a forest enrichment plant. This
                                        means it can be planted when pioneer species have established or to be
                                        added beneath the existing canopy of plants. Hangehange is also an
                                        important source of nectar and fruit for the native bird such as the Hihi.

Native Bird of the Month: Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis)

                                        The silvereye colonised New Zealand from Australia in the 1850s, and is
                                        now one of New Zealand’s most abundant and widespread bird species. It
                                        is found throughout New Zealand and its offshore and outlying islands,
                                        occurring in most vegetated habitats, including suburban gardens, farmland,
                                        orchards, woodlands and forests. Silvereyes are small songbirds that are
                                        easily recognised by their conspicuous white eye-ring and their plumage
                                        (mainly olive-green above and cream below). It is an active, mobile species
                                        that moves about frequently, including making sea crossings. Silvereyes eat
                                        aphids (hence the alternative name ‘blight bird’), and are a major predator
                                        of overwintering codling moth caterpillars. They spread weed seeds and
                                        seeds of native trees and shrubs, including kahikatea and coprosma.
                                        Silvereyes assist with pollination of some tree species such as kowhai and
                                        fuchsia when feeding on nectar. They have no recognised impacts on native
                                        bird species.

Insect of the Month: Damselfly

                                        Damselflies and dragonflies are similar and distinguished by the fact that the
                                        wings of most damselflies are held along, and parallel to, the body when at
                                        rest. Compared to a dragonfly, who has two sets of similar size wings
                                        attached to the side of the body. Furthermore, the hind wing of the damselfly
                                        is essentially similar to the forewing, while the hindwing of the dragonfly
                                        broadens near the base, caudal to the connecting point at the body.
                                        Damselflies are also usually smaller, weaker fliers than dragonflies, and their
                                        eyes are separated. Damselfly nymphs and the adults are found throughout
                                        New Zealand. They are mostly seen on hot summer’s days and especially
                                        in the late evening when they will come back to the water to mate. The adult
                                        is most vulnerable when they are mating as they mate on the water and
                                        provide a good mouthful for fish.

                            36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand
                                       P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz
                        W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment
                                                        4
WRCT VOLUNTEERS - Community Waitakere
Pest Plant of the Month: Fool’s watercress (Apium nodiflorum)

                                        Fool’s watercress is also known as water celery. Although it is usually
                                        described as poor man’s cress, it tastes nothing like cress. So it is an unfair
                                        comparison, it tastes pleasantly of carrot and is great as a cooked green
                                        vegetable. The leaves are oval and a bit more serrated than true Watercress.
                                        The flowers are small white flowers with five petals arranged in an umbel
                                        (umbrella like). They are usually found in slow moving shallow water, ponds
                                        and wet ditches. Their distribution is scattered from Northland to Wellington
                                        and abundant in many areas. It has also established in the north and west of
                                        the South Island. The plants life cycle of the Fool’s watercress starts as a
                                        seed germinating on damp substrates. It can also regrow from detached
                                        shoots, which readily form roots. It is native to Britain, central Europe, Asia
                                        and North Africa. The plant was probably introduced to New Zealand by
                                        contaminated ornamental pond plants. Fool’s watercress can be controlled
                                        manually, mechanically or by selective herbicides depending on situation.

Kids’ Corner: Quiz answers

1(b) Shining Cuckoo; 2) (a) Toetoe. Toetoe droops to one side (Pampas grass flower head is upright;
whitish/pinkish and appears from January to June); 3) (c) Bar-tailed Godwit; 4) (d) All of the above - other
birds, that could ingest these plants berries are now extinct (Moa & Huia).

The Whau River Catchment Trust: Restoration Projects

                                         It feels like summer might be coming early this year. We have had a relatively
                                         dry winter and rainfall has so far been less than normal with soil moisture
                                         levels being low. Normally planting can extend into October but we have now
                                         ceased planting and turned our focus to our summer time activities such as
                                         weed control, particularly around new plants. In the New Year, the focus will
                                         continue to be on weed control of areas where new plantings will be
                                         undertaken during the 2021 winter season. One of our other summer
                                         activities involves clearing up litter from riverside areas and the planned
                                         Whau River Regatta & Cleanup Day normally held in March each year. This
                                         combines enjoying the river from a boat while helping to clean up any litter.

Donations & Other Ways to Support the WRCT/FOW

                                         As a charitable Trust WRCT/FOW relies on the generosity and goodwill of
                                         individuals, corporates and funding organisations so we can keep doing
                                         what we do so well – improving the natural environment of the Whau River
                                         catchment for everyone to enjoy now and in the future.

                                         WOULD YOU LIKE TO FIND OUT MORE

                                         If you or anyone you know would like to donate goods, services, time or
                                         make a financial donation or a bequest, please contact Gilbert at
                                         gilbert@whauriver.org.nz or phone 09-827 3374. We would love to hear
                                         from you and discuss how you can help! CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION

                             36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand
                                        P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz
                         W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment
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WRCT VOLUNTEERS - Community Waitakere
YOU Can Make a Difference - Show your support for the local environment through our Givealittle Page

                                       The work of the WRCT / FOW can now be supported through Givealittle. It
                                       is now possible for you to personally make a financial contribution,
                                       supporting the ongoing good work already underway helping to protect the
                                       Whau River, and for the continued restoration of wildlife habitats within the
                                       Whau River catchment. Money raised will go towards the purchase of
                                       ecosourced native plants, weed control, litter bins, and generally help with
                                       supporting volunteer restoration events for 2020-21.
                                       Thank you to all those people who have already made a donation.

                                       CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION

Givealittle Donation Facts

                                        Plants cost on the average around $4.50ea to buy at trade price. So 10,000
                                        plants will cost around $45,000. Some of the plants WRCT use are funded
                                        by Auckland Council, but all additional plants we need have to be purchased
                                        or grown by WRCT. Can you help by supporting our Givealittle campaign
                                        for the WRCT to grow or purchase native plants for our restoration sites?
                                        Replacing weeds with natives and restoring wildlife habitats back to the
                                        River. The cost to prepare a site before planting and then to maintain it weed
                                        free for 2-3 years costs a significant amount of money. As Volunteers can
                                        only do so much, the rest of the job often requires experienced Council
                                        approved Contractors to help manage a site.

Exclusive FOW Quality Supporters Apparel – Sweat Shirt or T Shirts for FOW Volunteers

                                        How about supporting FOW by purchasing a FOW Sweatshirt for the
                                        changeable spring months and look the part when you come out to help.

                                        Crew sweat, raglan sleeves. Heavy weight, 350 GSM 80% cotton, 20%
                                        polyester, anti-pill fleece. Neck and sleeve cuff ribbing, pre-shrunk to
                                        minimise shrinkage - Different colours available $52.95 incl. GST
                                        https://fow.printmighty.co.nz/products/fow-sweatshirt

                                        Help promote the work of FOW. You can now buy quality Friends of the
                                        Whau T-shirts, Sweat Shirts, Hoodies, Singlets, Raglan Shirts, Canvas
                                        Bags and other apparel to show your support for Friends of the Whau.

                                        A portion of the sales will go to Friends of the Whau
                                        Support Friends of the Whau http://fow.printmighty.co.nz/products.

                                        T Shirts

                                        Regular fit. Crew neck mid weight, 180 GSM, 28-singles.

                                        100% combed cotton (marles 15% viscose).

                                        Neck ribbing, side seamed, shoulder-to-shoulder tape, double needle hems,
                                        pre-shrunk to minimise shrinkage.

                                        $29.50 incl. GST

                            36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand
                                       P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz
                        W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment
                                                       6
WRCT VOLUNTEERS - Community Waitakere
Community Science –Te Whau Biodiversity Survey 2020

The ‘Te Whau Biodiversity Survey 2020’ is in action on iNaturalist. Last year there was 1000 observations added to the
iNaturalist app by people in the community. This year we want to double the number of observations. We need you to
help us by taking photos of the animals and plants you observe in your backyard or in your local park. It is easy to do.
Just download the iNaturalist app onto your mobile phone and start taking photos for 2020. It is a great opportunity to
get out and go for a walk while in lockdown. Why not involve the kids. It is a fun way to learn about what plants and
animals live in your local area. For more details and regular updates, follow progress in more detail on our Facebook
Page at www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment.

Just go to iNaturalist https://inaturalist.nz/pages/mobile_apps_nz if you need more information on how to use the
iNaturalist phone app. The project recommenced in January 2020 and will run until the 31 st December 2020, thanks to
support from the Trusts Community Foundation and Whau Wildlink.

Join the iNaturalist Te Whau Biodiversity Survey - https://inaturalist.nz/projects/te-whau-biodiversity-survey-2020.

ALTERNATIVELY

Send an Email to - info@whauriver.org.nz.

                                36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand
                                           P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz
                            W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment
                                                               7
WRCT VOLUNTEERS - Community Waitakere
WRCT Pest Free Whau: Be part of the effort to see the Whau River Catchment Pest Free by 2050

                           36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand
                                      P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz
                       W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment
                                                     8
WRCT VOLUNTEERS - Community Waitakere
Biosecurity: JOIN THE PEST FREE WHAU PROJECT

                                                Our vision is one where native birds and other wildlife can flourish,
                                                and everyone works together to support our natural heritage. We are
                                                focused on making the Whau River Catchment. Pest Free by 2050.

                                                We are committed to eliminating the possums that shred our native
                                                trees, the rats and other predators that eat native baby birds and
                                                eggs and the weeds that strangle the native bush.

                                                Some of our volunteers have begun pest monitoring, and setting out
                                                traps. Our strategy to support our native wildlife by removing pests
                                                will require a partnership between the community, businesses,
                                                schools and central and local government.

                                                We need to bring people on board in their homes, their streets, and
                                                their workplaces as well as in our reserves by providing information
                                                and fostering a spirit of collaboration amongst neighbours to do their
                                                bit to control rats, possums, and other animal and plant pests.

Contact us if you can help and would like to get involved email info@whauriver.org.nz OR phone 09)627-3372.

                                     UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY

                                       Further details on our Facebook Page

                                           ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION

 Day               Date             Time                            Site
 Thursdays         Ongoing          10am -12.30pm                   Rosebank Peninsula. Check first contact
                                                                    info@whauriver.org.nz in advance for location
                                                                    each week

 Sunday            25/10/2020       10am-12.00pm                    TBC
 Saturday          TBC              12.30pm-2.30pm                  Te Whau Day Out Archibald Park
                                                                    (Deferred to early 2021)
 Saturday          TBC              10am -12.30pm                   Kurt Brehmer Walkway. Meet at 14 Charann
                                                                    Place for a Bindweed Blitz, clean-up & War on
                                                                    Wattles.
 Wednesday         21/10/2020       6pm                             Te Whau Pathway – Rizal Reserve Opening
                                                                    Ceremony for new section of pathway.

                              36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand
                                         P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz
                          W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment
                                                        9
WRCT VOLUNTEERS - Community Waitakere
EE&A / COMMUNITY SCIENCE

 Day               Date            Time                            Site

 Saturday          12-Sept         10am-12pm                       Community Science – Kurt Brehmer Walkway. One
                                                                   space left. Collect data for a good cause. If interested
                                                                   please call or text Justine 021627864 or email
                                                                   justine@whauriver.org.nz
 Sunday            20-Sept         10am-12pm                       Community Science – this event is full
 Tuesday           26-Sept         10am-12pm                       Stream water testing – Waikumete Cemetery. If
                                                                   interested please call or text Justine 021627864 or
                                                                   email justine@whauriver.org.nz
 Saturday          3-Oct           10am-12pm                       Community Science – TBC - Collect data for a good
                                                                   cause. If interested please call or text Justine
                                                                   021627864 or email justine@whauriver.org.nz
 Tuesday           13-Oct          10am-12pm                       Stream water testing –TBC - If interested please call
                                                                   or text Justine 021627864 or
                                                                   email justine@whauriver.org.nz
 Sunday            18-Oct          10am-12pm                       Community Science – TBC - Collect data for a good
                                                                   cause. If interested please call or text Justine
                                                                   021627864 or email justine@whauriver.org.nz
 Saturday          31-Oct          10am-12pm                       Stream water testing – TBC - If interested please call
                                                                   or text Justine 021627864 or email
                                                                   justine@whauriver.org.nz
 Saturday          TBC             10am-12pm                       Bird Count – event TBC - If interested please call or
                                                                   text Justine 021627864 or email
                                                                   justine@whauriver.org.nz

                                                YEAR ROUND EVENTS

 Date / Time                     Event                             Who                          Site
 All of 2020                     Planting, plant releasing,        All Welcome                  Kurt Brehmer Walkway
 Contact us for a date and       Mulching and Clean-ups            info@whauriver.org.nz        and Rosebank Peninsula
 time to suit you                                                                               East
 All of 2020                     Community Science:                All welcome                  All of the Whau River
                                 Te Whau Biodiversity              (Contact Justine)            Catchment
                                 Survey (iNaturalist),             justine@whauriver.org.nz
                                 Stream Monitoring
                                 (Waicare), Bird Counts
 All of 2020                     Predator Control – helping        All welcome                  Rosebank Peninsula
 Contact us for a time &         to check our trap lines           (Contact Justine)
 date to suit you                particularly on Rosebank          justine@whauriver.org.nz
                                 Peninsula.
 All of 2020                     Community Plant Nursery           All welcome                  Blockhouse Bay Rec.
 Contact us for a date and       (Plant Propagation)               (Contact WRCT)               Reserve
 time to suit you                By arrangement.                   info@whauriver.org.nz

It has been a challenging time since the corona virus arrived in our country. It has really turned lives upside down.
Most of all it has restricted peoples movement. However, it does not stop us from getting outdoors into nature.
Lucky we have had some lovely lockdown weather and summer is around the corner.

Justine

                                36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand
                                           P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz
                            W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment
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Regular FOW Volunteer Opportunities (Subject to C-19 Restrictions)

*Due to C-19 restrictions under Level 2, outdoor Volunteer activities are limited to groups of 10 people until
further notice.

Thursday Morning Friends of the Whau Volunteers: Meet every Thursday to work on a range of sites and tasks,
learning more about our Whau River catchment as well as getting the job done. Get in touch if you would like to be
added to the email list for this informal group. Sessions run 10am – 12.30 noon. Phone 021 295 0302 or email at
info@whauriver.org.nz

Weekend Friends of the Whau Volunteers: Due to popular demand, if you are busy during the week, we now have
more opportunities for you to join us on the weekends. Session times will vary to fit with the calendar, so check first;
where possible we will keep them to mornings 10am – 12pm. All are welcome to get active helping us looking after our
streamsides with a range of tasks and sites. Check out our Website and Facebook page for details, drop us a text on
021 295 0302, or email info@whauriver.org.nz to find out what’s happening at future events.

WRCT Internships 2020: The WRCT has volunteer Intern positions currently available. Internships may be part-
time or full-time. A typical internship lasts between 1 and 4 months but can be shorter or longer.

The two primary types of internships are:

    o   Work experience internship: Most often, this will be in the second or third year of the school period. The
        placement can be from 2 months to one full school year. During this period, the student is expected to use the
        things he/she has learned in school and put them into practice. This way the student gains work experience in
        their field of study. The gained experience will be helpful to finish the final year of study.

    o   Research internship (graduation) or dissertation internship: students who are in their final year mostly do this.
        With this kind of internship a student does research for the Trust. The Trust can have something that we feel
        needs researching, or the students can choose a topic themselves. The results of the research study will be put
        in a report and often will be presented.

Another type of internship growing in popularity is the virtual internship, in which the intern works remotely, and is not
physically present at the job location. It provides the capacity to gain job experience without the conventional
requirement of being physically present in an office. The internship is conducted via virtual means, such as phone,
email, and internet communication. Virtual interns generally have the opportunity to work at their own pace.

Please contact Gilbert Brakey at gilbert@whauriver.org.nz for further details.

          Stay in touch with us via Facebook and our website for more events and latest details.

                          For lots more info go to our website at http://whauriver.org.nz/

Contact the WRCT office for further details phone (09) 627-3372 or email info@whauriver.org.nz.

                               36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand
                                          P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz
                           W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment
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Contacts

To contact the WRCT Office – Phone the office on 09)627-3372 or email info@whauriver.org.nz

To contact Atu Fanguna – Office Administrator phone the office or 021 839 187 or email atu@whauriver.org.nz

To contact Gilbert Brakey – Chair / Manager phone the office or 0274 378867 or email gilbert@whauriver.org.nz

To contact our – Ecological Restoration Coordinator phone the office or 021 295 0302 or email info@whauriver.org.nz

To contact Justine Newnham – Coordinator phone the office or 021 627 864 or email justine@whauriver.org.nz

We gratefully acknowledge the support of Auckland Council RENH, Foundation North, Department of Conservation and The Trusts
Community Foundation, Sustainable Business Network, The Trusts (West Auckland).

Auckland Council: Whau Local Board, Auckland Council Parks (Central West), Healthy Waters & the Environmental Services Unit.

Companies: TreeWorx Ltd & the Rosebank Business Association.

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                               36 Rathlin St, Blockhouse Bay, Auckland 0600. New Zealand
                                          P: 09 627-3372 E: info@whauriver.org.nz
                           W: www.whauriver.org.nz F: www.facebook.com/whaurivercatchment
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