There are lots of ways you can support Wairarapa Moana, whether you join a local conservation group, take part in a planting event or take action in your own backyard.

Everyday people make significant contributions towards threatened species programmes, ecological restoration, the maintenance of recreation facilities and the restoration and maintenance of historic buildings.

Volunteering is fun, challenging, rewarding and can be a life-changing experience. You can make a difference while gaining new skills, getting fit and meeting new friends.

Join an existing group

friends of ōnoke spit

Restoring and preserving the native flora and fauna of Ōnoke Spit. The group has beach cleanups, planting and weeding days and a pest control programme where traps are regularly checked.

For more information contact Friends of Ōnoke Spit.

SOUTH WAIRARAPA BIODIVERSITY GROUP

Enhancing the ecology of the area with a specific focus on the potential educational, recreational, cultural and tourism opportunities available at Lake Ōnoke. The group run many events including working bees and planting days.

For more information visit the South Wairarapa Biodiversity Group Facebook page.

DUCKS UNLIMITED

This wetland and waterfowl conservation group works to save wetlands throughout New Zealand, including the Wairio Wetland at Lake Wairarapa, through protection, funding, technical advice and assistance, and education.

For more information visit the Ducks Unlimited website.

PAE TŪ MŌKAI O TAUIRA

A passionate and proud group, committed to bringing mana to our lives and to the communities we walk in. We stand for the protection of our land and culture and we believe in the diversity and value that Māori bring to our communities.

What's important to us is pride, equality, accountability and a strong commitment to ensuring the sustainability of our purpose for today’s generation and for future generations to come.

For more information visit the Pae tū Mōkai o Tauira Facebook page.

Wairarapa Pūkaha to Kawaka Alliance

The Wairarapa Pūkaha to Kawakawa Alliance is a community-led network. It brings many different groups together to increase the health of Wairarapa ecosystems, biodiversity, water and the resilience of its communities.

It includes conservation and environmental groups, farmers and mana whenua as well as representatives from DOC, the Greater Wellington Regional Council and Wairarapa District Councils.

The Alliance is an open network; members decide which projects and activities they want to participate in. We provide practical information and wide-ranging support to existing and new groups.

For more information visit the Wairarapa Pūkaha to Kawakawa Alliance website.

Aorangi Restoration Trust

Aim: The Trust is a charitable conservation trust aiming to protect and restore the Aorangi Range, surrounding land and coastline in the Southern Wairarapa to its former glory. It consists of many sub-projects including 'Project Penguin', which aims to protect and enhance the historical breeding grounds of the Little Blue Penguin with pest control and education. These projects will be highly dependent on achieving funding and a ready supply of dedicated volunteers.

For more information visit the Aorangi Restoration Trust website.

FEATHERSTON WALKWAYS AND RESERVE TRUST

Aim: To promote Featherston as the gateway to the Wairarapa. The trust maintains the Otauira, Dorset Square, and Barr-Brown bush reserves and Featherston Domain. The trust is also working with the South Wairarapa Tramping Club to connect Featherston to the Tararua Forest Park tramping network via the Bucks Road campsite, and is promoting a new mountain bike track and improved walking access to Wairarapa Moana.

For more information visit the Featherston Walkways and Reserves Trust website.

Emergency hotline

Call 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) immediately if you find an injured native animal that might need help.