16 December 2016

12 new Kiwi Guardians sites announced for Christmas

12 new “Kiwi Guardian” nature discovery sites have been created in family friendly places just in time for Christmas. 10 of the new sites are in and around Wellington, and the other sites are located at Aoraki Mt Cook and Port Jackson on the Coromandel Peninsula.

In addition to the new locations, two new activity medals, which can be done anywhere in New Zealand have been announced.

The Toyota Kiwi Guardian programme is aimed at getting kiwi kids and their families out in nature and has been developed between DOC and Toyota New Zealand. The sites encourage children to get outside, explore and learn about the natural world and earn unique medals at the same time. At each site children need to hunt for the Kiwi Guardians post and find the secret code word which they later enter online to earn a medal.

The new sites and activities add to an existing nationwide adventure network that inspires young New Zealanders to have fun outside and look after our wonderful places. The programme now has 53 sites across the country and seven ‘take action’ at home activities.

Alistair Davis CEO of Toyota New Zealand says limiting time in front of screens shouldn’t make parents feel guilty. “Inspiring our children to experience the outdoors and being involved with nature can be equally, if not more exciting, especially when there are medals up for grabs.”

Children can earn Kiwi Guardian medals by visiting one of the new sites, or working on one of the activities that can be done at home.

Wellington based DOC Education Manager Anita Anderson says that earning a medal is a great way to learn about the neat places, wonderful plants and crazy critters that live in New Zealand. “One of the activities that have been designed to be completed at home is the “Lizard Lounge”. Earning this medal involves building a lizard habitat where our native lizards, can lounge about with plenty of food and shelter. As well as the fun of building the lounge, lizard spotting over the summer months can provide much entertainment”.

Anita says that all of the new sites, and the new activities are designed so that families can have a great time out there in the big wide world and feel better for it. From feeding eels to finding Wellington’s oldest tree to learning about plate tectonics in Aoraki Mt Cook there are plenty of family friendly outdoor activities to do in New Zealand this summer”.

Families can get started on their adventures today by visiting: www.kiwiguardians.co.nz

The new sites are located at:

• Hooker Valley Aoraki/Mt Cook
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• Port Jackson
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• Zealandia Te Māra A Tāne
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• Wellington Zoo
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• Matiu/Somes Island
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• Otari-Wilton’s Bush
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• Kaitoke Regional Park
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• Staglands Wildlife Reserve
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• Battle Hill Farm Forest Park
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• Pukaha Mount Bruce
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• Ngā Manu Nature Reserve
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• Wellington Botanic Gardens

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For more information, please contact:

Toyota New Zealand Public Relations
Morgan.dilks@toyota.co.nz, (06) 351 3216 or 027 511 8622

Department of Conservation Education Manager
Anita Anderson 027 405 7728

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

For a nationwide directory of Toyota Kiwi Guardian sites, visit: http://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/toyota-kiwi-guardians/

Wellington Sites:

Zealandia Te Māra A Tāne

ZEALANDIA is the world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary, with an extraordinary 500-year vision. The groundbreaking conservation project that has reintroduced 18 species of native wildlife back into the area, 6 of which were previously absent from mainland New Zealand for over 100 years!

•Stop and look for the wildlife as you go, from tuatara to takahē to tīeke.

•Explore over 32kms of walking tracks, from wheelchair and buggy friendly to rugged hiking trails

•Don’t forget to see who’s checked in to the wētā hotels!

Wellington Zoo
Get up close to native and exotic wildlife at New Zealand’s first zoo. Explore Wellington Zoo’s love story to New Zealand, venture into an Aussie backyard, or even look eye to eye with a Giraffe!

•Head to our veterinary hospital and centre for native wildlife care and watch our vets in action at The Nest Te Kōhanga.

•Check out the daily talk schedule and learn about the amazing animals.

•Explore Meet the Locals He Tuku Aroha, our walk-through New Zealand experience.

Matiu/Somes Island

Located in the Wellington harbour, Matiu/Somes Island is the perfect place to discover nature and history. The island is home to many native creatures, including weta, tuatara, kakariki, and more! You’ll take a journey back in time when you visit the lighthouse and WWII bunkers. To top it all off, you can meet the local sheep on the island’s farm.

•Pack a picnic – you can enjoy your lunch by the shore or next to the sheep

•Camp overnight! You may even see a tuatara or a little penguin during the night.

•Walk around the WWII bunkers and gun sites, located on the top of the island

•Visit the Shag rock lookout – where Whataitai the tuatara lives. You may even see the spotted shag colony or seals

Otari-Wilton’s Bush

Explore a forest only 5km from Wellington’s city centre. Otari -Wilton's Bush is the only public botanic garden in New Zealand dedicated solely to native plants - a unique 100ha New Zealand plant sanctuary and forest reserve.

•Discover Wellington city’s oldest tree - an 800-year-old rimu tree on the Blue Trail.

•Walk across the treetops on the 19m high Canopy Walkway.

•Explore the forest on our Nature Trail.

•Feed your hungry explorers at the Troup picnic lawn. Our two barbecues are free to use – but you’ll have to bring your own sausages.

Kaitoke Regional Park

Explore our ancient rainforest with it’s 1,000 year old trees, accessed via the swingbridge over the Hutt River. Kaitoke is also home to Rivendell, a film location site for the The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Rivendell was built as a refuge and rallying place for elves, check out the Elvish Archway replica.

•Want to stay longer? Why not camp at Kaitoke on the grassy river terraces beside the Pakuratahi River. Amenities include basic kitchen facilities, treated drinking water, sinks, covered seating and power sockets and free electric barbeques.

•Fresh water! Kaitoke is adjacent to the Hutt Water Collection Area that supplies around 50% of Wellington’s drinking water. Visit some of the water facilities like the Strainer House and view the weir.

•Visit the home of the elves at Rivendell. Read about the Lord of the Rings set that was built here and view the replica archway.

•Bring your togs and a picnic, as the swimming holes on the Hutt and Pakuratahi Rivers are numerous

Staglands Wildlife Reserve
Staglands is a never-ending adventure where you can connect with nature in a whole new way! Meet kune kune piglets, goats, rabbits and deer. There’s a magical, secret garden, nostalgic Old Bush Settlement and a trout and eel pool too! Don’t forget to bring your togs!

•The birds & animals are hungry! Meet a ranger and

have a go at feeding them by joining a daily lunch time feed tour.

•It’s time for a cuddle! Give the cute guinea pigs and rabbits in the stables a hug. Then, meet JOCK THE GIGANTIC, our friendly Clydesdale horse! Look out for those free roaming kune Kune piglets too.

•If it’s a weekend, school holiday or public holiday you can go off-road with a free tractor-trailer ride!

•The Old Bush Settlement gives you a glimpse of the life led by the pioneers during the early settlement of New Zealand. Can you find the jailhouse? Better be on your best behavior!

Battle Hill Farm Forest Park

Site of one of the last battles between Maori and early colonial forces in the region, Battle Hill Farm Forest Park near Paekakariki blends traditional hill country farming, forestry, recreation and environmental restoration.

•Explore the mix of many tracks, offering opportunities for walking, mountain biking and horse riding

•Check out the eels, sardines are one of their favourite foods

•Bring a tent and camp for the night, enjoy a marshmallow on the fire and listen for the moreporks at night

•Climb to Battle Hill and enjoy the stunning views over the surrounding region.

•Wander out the farm race and watch the progress of Transmission Gully Motorway

Pukaha Mount Bruce
Home to the worlds only white kiwi – see her in the kiwi house. Seven daily ranger talks and feeds, walk in free flight aviary, theatre and bush walk.

• Eel feeding at 1.30pm daily

• Kaka circus daily at 3pm

• Watch Takahe from the café deck

• Find all six species in the free flight aviary

Ngā Manu Nature Reserve

Discover a unique habitat for wildlife and experience the wonders of our native flora and fauna at this idyllic bird sanctuary. Explore Kapiti’s precious ancient forest remnant and look out for tui, bellbird, fantail, grey warbler and kereru. Spot the kiwi and tuatara in their enclosures and get up close to kaka, kea and kakariki in the walk-through aviaries.

•Up to 60 different bird species come and go around the wetlands, bush and surroundings – how many can you spot?

•Test your night-vision in the nocturnal house - can you spy the kiwi, morepork and tuatara?

•Don’t miss the daily feed of our free ranging eels at 2 pm.

•Pack a picnic – there are loads of great spots.

Wellington Botanic Gardens

The paved paths are just the beginning at Wellington Botanic Garden. As a Kiwi Guardian discover new paths and hidden surprises.

•Follow your nose through the Herb Garden and get your tummy rumbling for a yummy meal.

•Build a fairy house in the Fairy Village near the stream that fills the duck pond.

•Head off the paved paths and find the cork oak trees. Discover what the bark looks like before it’s turned into a bottle stopper.

•Pack a picnic – there are lots of great spots along the way

New Nationwide sites

Port Jackson

One of the Coromandel’s most magnificent beaches plays host to some awesome adventures and exploration.

•Walk the Muriwai Walk

•Watch the shore birds and sea birds including dotterels, oystercatchers, caspian terns and gannets

•Look out for dolphins, seals and the occasional orca or stingray.

•Play on the 1.2km of sandy beach with bucket and spade.

•Explore the Wharekaiatua Pa Site (from the beach you can see the terracing of the Pa and walk around the pa site on the Muriwai Walk)

Hooker Valley Track, Aoraki/Mt Cook

Gaze in awe at New Zealand’s tallest mountain, close to a massive tectonic plate boundary, amongst valleys carved by ancient glaciers.

•See remnant glaciers of the last ice-age above and in front of you.

•Admire some of the unique alpine flora and fauna unique to our part of the world.

•Reflect on the ancient name of Aoraki and the early explorers to this region.

New Activity medals

Lizard Lounge activity medal

Get involved in conserving our lizards by creating a Lizard Lounge in your garden and earn a Kiwi Guardians medal.

Start searching for the perfect spot to establish your lizard lounge.

Curious Camper activity medal

Connect with nature and earn a Kiwi Guardians medal. Spending time in nature has positive effect on our health and wellbeing.

Camping is a great way to get outside and into nature. You can camp out in your own backyard on a fine night, or head to your nearest park/reserve. No matter where you go camping you will sure to have fun doing these activities.

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