Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, a 942-ha unfenced reserve in the Wairarapa, is a joint project between the Pūkaha Mount Bruce Board, Rangitāne O Wairarapa and DOC.
Local residents are also encouraged to volunteer to learn more about the conservation of wildlife.
Volunteers play a vital role in maintaining the reserve. These tasks are seasonal and change regularly - contact the team for more detailed information.
The work is mainly practical and field based. All the projects have conservation values.
other work such as kiwi and kōkako tracking, and track marking.
Minimum of six weeks. Long-term opportunities are possible based on performance.
Volunteers must be able to enjoy the outdoors and work in a variety of conditions, and have a keen interest in New Zealand's wildlife.
Fitness level required: High level of fitness required, and you must be willing to undertake sometimes laborious jobs like aviary maintenance and predator control in steep country.
Skills and experience required: Good observational skills and the ability to accurately record information. Good English-speaking level and the able to work independently as well as part of a team.
Experience in conservation programmes and captive animal husbandry desirable.
Accommodation: On-site accommodation is often available in return for the voluntary work during your stay. You will be expected to do your share of cleaning and tidying of the house and surrounding area.
The lowland podocarp/broadleaf forest has wild populations kākā, North Island brown kiwi and kōkako. The flora and fauna are protected using a network of traps and bait stations spread throughout the reserve. This option is only available to long-term volunteers.
Checking and re-baiting traps and bait stations around the area in order to control rats, stoats, weasels and ferrets. There may be other tasks as required.
Fitness level required: You must be comfortable carrying a day pack with appropriate clothing, safety equipment, and bait/lure. A reasonable level of health and fitness is required.
able to record data with a high degree of accuracy.
Training: Volunteers will be provided with the appropriate training and equipment required.
The reserve has a population of North Island brown kiwi, many of which require ongoing monitoring. This option is only available to long-term and local volunteers.
Volunteers will assist field staff to monitor the locations of these kiwi using telemetry equipment and have the chance to become involved in other volunteer projects at the centre.
Fitness required: You need to be comfortable carrying a day pack with appropriate clothing and safety equipment. A reasonable level of health and fitness is required.
Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre is approximately 20 minutes north of Masterton on SH2. There are few public transport options in and out so volunteers should ideally have their own transport.