Te Kauri – Waikuku Trust
Te Kauri Waikuku Trust (TKWT) was established in 2004 to teach environmental education to school children and carry out ecological restoration at Te Kauri Park Scenic Reserve.
Vision
The motto of the Te Kauri-Waikuku restoration and education project is “Learning through healing the forest”. Ecological restoration and environmental education are interwoven throughout the Project. The objectives are to:
- Restore the forest of Te Kauri Park through pest control and then reintroduce locally extinct flora and fauna
- Empower children and young people to play an active role in the restoration and inspire them to take further action in their schools and communities
- Support the Hamilton Junior Naturalist Club to be vibrant and successful club playing an integral role in the project
- Work collaboratively with a network of partners, integrating a range of perspectives and adding to the national pool of knowledge about both restoration and environmental education through research and sharing best practices
- Increase the revenue from Te Kauri Lodge and develop Lodge buildings in a way that reflects the sustainability values of the project
Location
60km south west of Hamilton, near Kawhia.
Area
1100ha podocarp broadleaf forest with limestone bluffs and tomos.
Organisations involved
There are four founding partners, all of whom are represented on the Trust:
- The Hamilton Junior Naturalist Club (HJNC)
- The Department of Conservation (DOC)
- Ngati Hikairo
- The Enviroschools Foundation.
We also work with the University of Waikato, Landcare Trust, Wintec, and over 18 schools and 900 students annually
Management history
The Trust was established in 2003 by the Hamilton Junior Naturalists and a range of partners to manage the restoration of Te Kauri Park and to provide environmental education.
Funding to provide an education programme through the Ministry of Education’s Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom (LEOTC) Programme was secured in 2003. This contract has been renewed until 2008 and benefits over 900 students a year who participate in the programme.
Te Kauri Waikuku Trust have developed an Environmental Education Kit, a Pest Control Plan, An Ecological Monitoring Strategy and a Business Plan.
Access
The Scenic Reserve is open to the public and accessed off State Highway 31. A fully equipped lodge is available. Contact the lodge custodian for price and bookings.