Punakaiki West Coast, New Zealand - Help protect Punakaiki's vulnerable seabird, the Westland Petrel - Conservation Volunteers Australia

Punakaiki
West Coast, New Zealand
Help protect Punakaiki’s vulnerable seabird, the Westland Petrel

Overview
Located on the rugged and wild West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Punakaiki is the gateway to the
dramatic limestone country of the Paparoa National Park and the famous Pancake Rocks and blow holes.
Volunteers will contribute to the Punakaiki Coastal Restoration Project which aims to restore native forest habitat
for the vulnerable seabird, the Westland Petrel. The Westland Petrel is one of New Zealand’s unique bird species
with its only breeding location confined to a 5 km area in the foothills of the Paparoa Range. Westland Petrels
return to their colonies to breed from April to October and can be viewed at dusk and dawn from the project site.

This volunteer and travel program enables you to explore some of the most incredible scenery on offer in New
Zealand, taking you along the Arthur’s Pass alpine highway and the Coastal Road of the West Coast. You’ll
experience two of the best short hikes inside National Parks in the country, visit a fur seal colony, explore the
famous limestone formations of the Pancake Rocks and blow holes, and best of all, help to create and protect
habitat for a vulnerable and incredible seabird species.

Highlights
    •   Exploring spectacular limestone karst formations and ancient temperate coastal rainforests of the rugged
        Paparoa National Park
    •   Helping to protect and restore habitat for vulnerable Westland Petrel colonies in Te Ara Tāiko Nature
        Reserve
    •   Experiencing the famous Pancake Rocks and Putai blow hole
    •   Visiting a fur seal colony in Tauranga Bay, Westport
    •   Traversing Arthur’s Pass, the highest and most spectacular mountain pass across the Southern Alps

What you’ll see and do
Day 1 8.00 am meet your Conservation Volunteers NZ host in Christchurch outside the Canterbury Museum.
We’ll begin our journey to the West Coast via the stunning Arthur’s Pass alpine highway, hiking to the beautiful
Devils Punchbowl Waterfall inside Arthur’s Pass National Park along the way. After descending to the temperate
rainforests of the West Coast, we’ll drive the stunning coastal road to Punakaiki. This afternoon we’ll help you
settle into your accommodation, provide your project induction and take you to explore the amazing limestone
formations of the Pancake Rocks. This evening we’ll view the Westland Petrels returning to their breeding colony
from the Tasman sea (April to October only).
Meals: Lunch, dinner

Days 2 & 3 Today we’ll begin helping to restore native forest habitat for the Westland Petrel in Te Ara Tāiko
Nature Reserve. Our volunteer tasks vary by season but can include tree planting, weed control, seed collection,
track maintenance and helping propagate plants in the onsite-nursery that grows all the trees for the Project.
Back at our cabin accommodation, enjoy the fantastic location close to the ocean and surrounded by rainforest
and stunning views of Paparoa National Park. Sunsets, star-gazing and relaxing with your fellow volunteers are
typical of our evenings after a busy day of volunteering outdoors.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 4 Morning conservation activities continue at Te Ara Tāiko Nature Reserve. After lunch we’ll explore the
stunning wilderness of Paparoa National Park including the Truman Track, featuring temperate rainforest,
amazing rock formations and impressive coastal views. Our last activity today will involve short trip north to
Westport and Tauranga Bay to visit the local fur seal colony – an awesome wildlife experience not to be
forgotten.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Day 5 Conservation activities will continue during the morning at the Te Ara Taiko Nature Reserve. After lunch
we’ll pack up and depart the West Coast for Christchurch via the stunning Arthur’s Pass, returning to the
designated drop off point outside the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch around 5 pm.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

Disclaimer:

1-Conservation Volunteers reserves the right to change the itinerary, volunteer activities and accommodations without
notice. Safety and the management of risks are CV’s primary concern. We thank volunteers for their flexibility and
understanding if changes occur.

2- We do our absolute best to deliver volunteer experiences that leave you inspired, educated and up close with native
wildlife when possible. However, please realise that due to the inherent nature of viewing wild animals (particularly
rare or endangered species) in their natural habitat, we cannot guarantee with 100% certainty that there will be
sightings on every program.

Conservation Impact
Since 2008 Conservation Volunteers have managed the Punakaiki Coastal Restoration Project, which has focused
on replanting 80 hectares of land just south of Punakaiki village and bordering the Westland Petrel colonies. The
land was predominantly used for farming and mining but has special ecological significance due to its proximity
to Paparoa National Park and the only breeding colonies of the Westland Petrel, which fly over the project site to
reach their colonies inland. Our vision is to develop an ecological corridor that spans from the mountains to sea,
reflecting the rich biodiversity of the area that includes the only nesting ground of the vulnerable Westland
Petrel, the natural habitat of the Blue Penguin and the nationally threatened sand plain forests bearing Nikau
Palms and Rata trees many hundreds of years old. In October 2010, the site was officially declared a Nature
Reserve and in consultation with local iwi, named Te Ara Tāiko Nature Reserve. During this trip you will play an
active role in restoring the forest surrounding the Westland Petrel colonies on the Te Ara Tāiko Nature Reserve,
which will include tree planting, weed control, seed collection and the propagation of native plant species in the
onsite-nursery that grows all the plants for the project.

Logistics
Duration                         5 days / 4 nights
Meeting location                 Monday morning 8.00 am from Canterbury Museum, Rolleston Ave central
                                 Christchurch
Return time                      Christchurch at approximately 5.00 pm

What is included
    •   Experienced Conservation Volunteers Team Leader
    •   Return transfers to Punakaiki from Christchurch
    •   4 nights in cabin accommodation at the Punakaiki Beach Camp
    •   Three meals a day from lunch day 1 to lunch day 5
    •   Conservation activities and equipment
    •   Paparoa National Park including Pancake Rocks and Putai blow hole, sight-seeing trip to the NZ fur seal
        colony in Westport, and guided walks along the Truman Track and to the Devil’s Punchbowl Waterfall
        inside Arthur’s Pass National Park
    •   Certificate of appreciation

What’s not included
    •   Travel to Christchurch city departure point
    •   Breakfast day 1 and dinner day 5
    •   Laundry, medical expenses, personal travel insurance and items of a personal nature
    •   Visa and passport charges
    •   Departure, airport and airline charges
    •   Souvenirs, any additional tours or activities

Accommodation and Meals
Our nature-based accommodation will be bunk beds in restored “quirky” cosy cabins at the scenic Punakaiki
Beach Camp, located only 700 m from the famous Pancake Rocks, with communal bathroom amenities and a
shared kitchen area. Please bring a sleeping bag and bath towel.

Three meals a day and snacks are provided. Meal-preparation is a shared responsibility, with participants taking
turns helping to manage the meal preparation and clean-up. Don’t worry if you’re not a great cook, as everyone
can do something to help, even if it’s just chopping vegetables!

Fitness
Expect a moderate amount of physical activity. Conservation activities involve active-hands on projects and
potentially walking on soft, uneven ground. We take regular rest breaks and you are also encouraged to monitor
yourself to determine your need for a time-out. We will be travelling in areas not immediately accessible to
medical assistance.

Equipment and Clothing
Luggage is strictly limited to a maximum of 15kgs – the following items are essential:

 Backpack                                                 Long sleeved shirts
 Long trousers                                            Wet weather clothing
 Strong boots*                                            Personal drink bottle (approx. IL)
 Wide-brimmed sun hat                                     Insect repellent
 Sleeping bag and bath towel                              Work (gardening) gloves
 Sunscreen – (min SPF 30+)                                Sunglasses

Conservation Volunteers recommends strong work or walking boots that will protect your feet and ankles – make
sure they are comfortable!

Weather
Be prepared for the weather! The climate in Punakaiki and the West Coast is considered a temperate climate with
high annual rainfalls (2.5 – 3 m per year average for Punakaiki). The weather can change very quickly so ensure
you bring decent wet weather gear (jacket and over-trousers) and expect four seasons in one day, anytime of the
year. Please bring the appropriate clothing (and sleeping bag) for the climate in the area and time you have
chosen to visit. Using a quality guidebook or talking with your travel agent will help.

More Information
Freecall in Australia: 1800 032 501
Phone: +61 3 5330 0200
Fax: +61 3 5330 2922
Email: bookings@cva.org.au
www.cvnz.org.au