A new way to support a clean, green New Zealand

A non-profit organisation that helps volunteers get involved in conservation projects has recently been launched in Auckland.

Conservation Volunteers New Zealand is a new practical conservation organisation established following consultation with conservation stakeholders including Chris Carter, the Minister of Conservation, the Department of Conservation, Forest and Bird, Auckland Regional Council, the New Zealand Trust for Conservation Volunteers, the QEII Trust, and Landcare Research.

Conservation Volunteers New Zealand's (CVNZ) mission is to welcome volunteers from New Zealand and across the world to assist practical conservation projects to help preserve and improve New Zealand's unique environment.

CVNZ works with local communities, the business community and government departments to bring together additional volunteers to work on priority conservation projects.

CVNZ provides opportunities for people to volunteer every week with on-site training and supervision for volunteers in a team setting. No prior experience is required,
and people from all walks of life will be able to enjoy the outdoors, meet new people and learn about their environment.

"This is a fantastic concept and I congratulate those involved in getting the trust off the ground," Chris Carter said.

"Conservation must be a community action if it is to have sufficient impact to halt the decline in New Zealand's biodiversity. The more opportunities there are for the public to get involved in conservation work, the healthier our environment will be."

CVNZ is an independent Trust established by Conservation Volunteers Australia. CVA has been operating in Australia for 24 and every year co-ordinates more than 10,000 volunteers on more than 2,000 projects.

CVNZ is pleased to be working with the Auckland Regional Council and Auckland City on the following conservation projects:

- Creating a new urban oasis, Mutukaroa-Hamlin’s Hill Mutukaroa-Hamlin’s Hill is a 48 hectare grassy knoll with views to the Manukau harbour in the east and Waitemata harbour in the west. Now surrounded by the light industrial complex of Mt Wellington and Sylvia Park, Mutukaroa-Hamlin’s Hill represents an opportunity to create a conservation and recreation oasis in this part of Auckland.

- Restore the Hunua Ranges and help endangered species thrive
CVNZ teams are working on a range of projects in the Hunua Ranges Regional Parkland including the protection of the Hochstetter’s Frog, ecological restoration of the Hunua Falls and the Managatawhiri River as well as tracks in the Hunua Ranges.

CVNZ would like to hear from potential project owners or groups that require the support of volunteers. CVNZ will also be seeking volunteer accommodation in the central Auckland area for residential programmes.

ENDS

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