Environmental Care Groups

Whakātane Kiwi Trust

The Whakatāne Kiwi Trust is the community partner in the Whakatāne Kiwi Project.  In 1999, a small population of North Island brown kiwi was found in the Ōhope Scenic Reserve.   Four breeding pairs were found; however, the birds faced local extinction due to predators such as stoats, cats and dogs.  Intensive pest control was established in the reserve in 2001, and the kiwi population has since grown to over 350 birds.

>> Learn More / Donate <<

Pride Whakatāne

Pride Whakatāne is an advocacy and beautification group that works closely with Council on rubbish and graffiti reduction initiatives, public garden beautification, promoting the annual private garden competitions, encouraging fruit tree planting, and coordinating annual Arbour Day activities.

>> Learn More <<

Coast Care

Coast Care is a coastal restoration programme, run in close partnership with local communities, local authorities, care groups and schools, that aims to restore and protect the sand dunes along our Bay of Plenty beaches.

>> Learn More / Volunteer <<

Apanui Saltmarsh Care Group

Coast Care is a coastal restoration programme, run in close partnership with local communities, local authorities, care groups and schools, that aims to restore and protect the sand dunes along our Bay of Plenty beaches.

>> Learn More / Volunteer <<

Whakatāne Bird Rescue

Whakatane Bird Rescue are a small group of passionate volunteers who care for sick and injured birds.

They help all kind of birds, native, seabird, non native, bird of prey etc. 

>> Learn More <<

HALO

HALO Whakatāne aims to facilitate relationships amongst volunteers, to advocate for our environment, educate our tamariki, and strengthen the local pest control operations. HALO Whakatāne is a community led conservation project in the Eastern Bay of Plenty aiming to create a sanctuary around Whakatāne.

>> Learn More / Donate / Volunteer <<

Otamakaokao Kaitiaki Trust (Awatapu Lagoon)

Awatapu Otamakaokao Kaitiaki want to Clean up Awatapu. In doing so they will improve water quality, ugrades to Cukoo Land and  restore the Mauri of our Awa.  Planting and clean up days along the Awatapu Lagoon happen once a month. 

>> Learn More / Volunteer <<

Forest & Bird

The Eastern Bay of Plenty Branch includes Whakatane, Kawerau and Opotiki Districts. It has a long coastline but also important inland areas such as Te Urewera and Whirinaki. The climate, beaches and natural environment attract tourists and holiday makers and are important to locals for recreation.

>> Learn More / Get Involved <<

Manawahe Eco Trust

The Manawahe Eco Trust was formed to manage the community’s interest in improving biodiversity in native forest within the Manawahe Ecological Corridor. It is a registered Charitable Trust and currently has five Trustees partnered with voluntary support from local community members.

>> Learn More / Volunteer <<

Kutarere & Roimata Care Group

In 2018 local residents and tāngata whenua got together to form the Kutarere & Roimata Care Group. Their practice of kaitiakitanga focusses on pest control along the stop bank between the historic wharf and the village of Kutarere, as well as at Roimata marae. The group is frequently carrying out rubbish collections and aims to rid the area of illegal rubbish dumping. Future restoration projects include riparian planting of Te Kākaho Stream.

>> Learn More / Volunteer <<

Waiewe Stream Restoration

Our group started in 2008 clearing all the weeds and pest trees in the Waiewe Reserve. This reserve is in the urban area of Whakatane and is used by many walkers and walkers with dogs. We have cleared three sizable areas and planted 4500 native plants and trees to provide food for native birds

>> Learn More / Volunteer <<

Omataroa Eco Trust

Omataroa have built a successful Kiwi recovery and breeding project within the Puhikoko and Ngakauroa Reserves. This includes the Texas Rangers outdoor education programme where Te Teko students  gain hands-on experience with Kiwi handling, Rongoa and bush skills – the future of Omataroa kaitiakitanga. 

>> Learn More <<

Nukuhou Saltmarsh Care Group

Thanks to the efforts of the Nukuhou Saltmarsh Care Group, the saltmarsh, and the birds who live there are thriving. Members of the group meet on the first Sunday of every month. At these working bees, the birds are counted, traps baited, tracks maintained, planes weeded and planted.  

>> Learn More <<

Sullivan Lake Care Group

This neighbourhood care group assists with weed and litter control as well as planting of native vegetation for habitat around the Sullivan Lake fringes. It also acts as a watchdog and advocacy group, monitoring activities around the reserve and the health of the lake.

>> Learn More <<