Volun­teering Kauri Coast - Elisabeth

Profile

Name: Elisabeth

Age: 34

Project: Nature protection

Location: Kauri Coast

Duration: Beginning of March to beginning of April

Rating

Support from the Natucate team:

Arrival:

Partner on-site:

Accommodation:

Volunteering at Kauri Coast, New Zealand– Feedback: Eight questions for Elisabeth

1) Could you give us a brief overview of your activities/tasks in the project/course?

Our tasks in the project itself were very diverse and dependent on the weather: checking and restoring traps, filling and checking bait stations, installing cameras in the forest and collecting the cameras and evaluating the photo and video material. We listened for kiwis, evaluated and analysed collected data, cut and cleared trails, and assisted with maintenance work around camp.

There were daily duties in the camp itself, which rotated for all participants daily: helping out with preparing breakfast/dinner, washing dishes, cleaning the lunchroom/common area/kitchen, preparing equipment, cleaning the bathroom, etc. Living together only functions as a team.

2) What was the biggest challenge for you during the project?

The terrain and the weather. An untouched (rain)forest at 500 meters altitude in New Zealand in late summer/autumn is something entirely different from a man-made European forest, the African bush, or the rainforest in Costa Rica. The terrain is quite wild: steep and slippery and partially obstructed by tree roots. It was physically demanding, even if one was reasonably fit. The weather at the camp was often windy and changeable.

3) Was there something you liked most? Or something you remember particularly negatively?

I really enjoyed the simplicity. No distractions from lights, electricity, traffic, people, houses. The phone was so irrelevant, no messages, no social media, no TV. It was so easy to disconnect, and I didn't miss anything. You need so little, and it's important to remind yourself of that every now and then. You learn to appreciate everyday things again. Absolute peace away from civilization.

My absolute highlights were kiwi listening at night or when you happened to hear a kiwi call in the camp at night and knew they were nearby. We even got to see a kiwi and its chick during the day when rangers had to swap out a transmitter—such a goosebump moment! I don't remember anything negative, only the positive memories remain.

4) Did you have certain expectations before travelling to the project?

No, I try not to have specific expectations. That way, you can let everything come to you much better. But I've noticed that over time, you start to compare or have expectations based on experiences from other projects and regions of the world. New Zealand has revised that; it's so different from anything I've done before. It showed me where my limits are and what's personally important to me. I learn something new with every project.

5) Have you done anything in your free time that you can recommend to future participants?

On our days off, we went on various excursions in the region with the team lead, all of which I really enjoyed: Baylys Beach, Dargaville Museum, The Lakes, Tane Mahuta, Sanddunes, Maunganui Bluff Beach. There are amazing, endless beaches, lakes, opportunities for hiking, relaxing, ancient giant trees, everywhere you can just gaze into the distance endlessly— that's what I loved most about New Zealand.

I also enjoyed Whangarei; I spent several days in Auckland and went on various island trips, exploring the North Island with its highlights— Coromandel Peninsula, Rotorua, Taupo, Waitomo, Hobbiton, and much more.

6) What recommendations would you give to other participants?

Prepare yourselves for changeable weather. I've experienced changeable weather in other regions, during different seasons, and I thought I knew what to expect. But March/April in New Zealand is different. Accordingly, you need 110% suitable equipment, especially when it comes to shoes and jackets. Everything should be truly waterproof. And you need to be physically fit.

Here in New Zealand, there are traps set up to reduce the number of predators that pose a threat to kiwis and other native birds. Possums, rats, mice, hedgehogs, stoats, wild dogs, and cats — all of these are considered virtual enemies of native species. For the sake of conservation and to protect these vulnerable birds, these invasive animals unfortunately need to be removed from this protected area. During your tasks, it can happen that you come across some of these traps with animals already caught inside. While it may be confronting, this is a common part of predator control and a necessary step to protect native wildlife.

7) Can you estimate how many additional costs you had on-site?

During the project, practically none. Occasionally, we ate out when we were on an excursion, but that cost no more than 5 – 10 euros. There are also bus fare and transfer costs, which are another 20 – 25 euros. If you are well-prepared and bring everything you need with you, you don't have to buy anything on-site.