Conservation

Aborta Contorta at Tongariro

In 2001 Toi Toi Trekkers was awarded a Conservation Award by D.O.C. in recognition of devoting more than 30 years to the Pinus Contorta eradication programme in Tongariro National Park. In the mid 1960s a group of Ranger staff, notably the late Bill Cooper, saw the potential for an ecological disaster on the eastern side of the Tongariro National Park if the wilding pines were not checked. The project to destroy these pines has continued unabated since then with the help of many clubs, to the extent that DOC now has the spread of pines inside the park under control. Every year around November/December Toi Toi Trekkers, combined with members of the Tararua Tramping Club of Wellington, head for Tongariro National Park (after a compulsory stop at the Ohakune Chocolate Eclair Shop), to search and destroy Pinus Contorta. Armed with loppers, enthusiasm and lots of laughter, we are guided by DOC personnel, sweeping across the slopes, uprooting and chopping down Pinus Contorta as we go. Look there's one now!!! Toi Toi Trekkers, Tararua Tramping Club, Hutt Valley Tramping Club and the Wanganui Tramping Club were given the Conservation Award in appreciation of the thousands of hours spent on the Pinus Contorta eradication programme. We will continue this club project for as long as it takes to one day see Mt Ruapehu free of this introduced invasive pest!!

Rangitoto Station

Regular trips continue to be undertaken to this native forest block where we work hard to eradicate rats, stoats, possums and other pests.

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Tiri Tiri Matangi Island Sanctuary

In 2004 Toi Toi Trekkers, lead by Colin Johnstone (who is the inspiration and driving force behind the whole project), took up tools and started work restoring the foghorns and equipment on Tiri Tiri Matangi Island