Join our environmental volunteering groups that are active in the Hibiscus & Bays area.
You'll have the opportunity to get involved and get up close with nature and our natural ecosystems while assisting with restoration of our local reserves by weeding, pest control, trapping, water quality measures and planting.
You'll work alongside our team and other local volunteers to make a difference. All our groups offer a friendly atmosphere, and we ecnourage anyone who is keen to help, wether it be a lot or a little, to come along.
Check out our regular volunteering opportunities around the Hibiscus & Bays area below:
Bayside Drive Reserve, Browns Bay
Date: First Saturday of every month
Time: 9am - 11am
7 - 9 Crestview Place, Browns Bay - Meet at the playground near the reserve entrance
Join the regular 'Friends of Bayside Drive Reserve' working bee.
This energetic group have been clearing previously planted areas in the reserve so that native trees can flourish - helped by the morning tea provided. It is easy weeding and reasonably flat.
Great for a family outing, which can include eel and bird watching.
Everyone welcome! We would love to see you there for as long or as short as you wish.
This dedicated group have been clearing weeds from this very special reserve, which is fortunate to have several rare swamp maire trees and many other mature native trees. It is home to a lot of wildlife and it's many tracks make it an interesting experience.
Note: you should be reasonably agile to navigate the tracks.
Meet at the reserve entrance between 19 - 21 Ōtanerua Road, Hatfields, Orewa
Ōtanerua Reserve is a hidden gem! A beautiful area of native bush (classified as a Significant Ecological Area) with a stream along the boundary, it is full of birdlife and an amazing variety of native plants. The dedicated community group has been working away at removing invasive weeds including climbing asparagus, jasmine, Japanese honeysuckle, monkey apple and wattle trees, making great progress. Last winter, 250 native trees were planted in the grassy area at the front of the reserve to extend the bush whilst retaining a small grassed area for picnics. A further 200 plants were added to this site this year, plus 500 grasses were planted along the stream bank. Work continues to remove invasive weeds and also to control the weeds in the planting area. You will be most welcome!
Every 2nd Saturday of the month Every 4th Saturday of the month
Time: 9am - 11am
Enter the reserve from any of the 3 entrances, near 890 Beach Road, 67 Hebron Road or 7 Tiri View Place. Meet at the central grass area.
Weeding and planting by this group has made a visible difference over the past at Campbell Glade Reserve. Come and join this happy team and help make this reserve even more special.
This is a great opportunity to meet other locals interested in restoring and protecting our local environment.
Meet by the Green Shed on Waiake Beach Reserve, 925 Beach Road, Waiake
This group is full of energy and is working to get rid of weeds on both sides of Deep Creek. Recent work on the beach reserve has increased the beauty of the site, and we intend to add to this by eliminating many of the weeds.
You probably will just want to stay on and admire the view of the stream and beach, or perhaps a well-deserved swim.
You can stay for a long as you wish and come when you are available.
Meet in the grass area in front of the carpark, opposite 44 Langana Ave
Several accessways to Longmead Reserve means that it used as a shortcut, and also as a flat walking and exercise area. However, the many beautiful mature trees in the reserve are in danger of being overcome by climbing invasive weeds.
The regular mornings spent weeding at the reserve are making a huge impact,.along with planting in the areas where weeding has taken place. Our long-term ecological planning for this site is starting to take shape. Come and see what a small group of people can achieve in a very short space of time. We are a cheerful group who welcomes any newcomers who are keen to come give us a hand.
Taiorahi - Speedy, Leach and Penguin Reserves, Murrays Bay
When: Every 3rd Sunday of the month
Time: 9am - 11am
Meet at Penguin Drive Reserve, next door to 2 Penguin Dr. Walk to the bottom of the grassed area.
These picturesque 'joined up' reserves need of regular weeding in several areas after being left alone for many years. The hardy regulars have done amazing work in clearing huge areas of invasive weeds and forgotten native trees are starting to flourish.
Come along and volunteer. With your help even more varieties of native birds and plants can thrive.
Sadly, we don't have a regular group for this reserve, despite several attempts. However, regular planting has meant the area's native trees has been attracting many birds. We are fortunate that a corporate group has helped with some weeding days. Due to this the reserve is now looking cared for. If you wish to get together with your neighbours or friends to work on this reserve, then please get in touch with us and we can organise a day and time with you that suits.
32 - 36 Amorino Drive, Red Beach. Access the park using the walkway between 32 and 36.
Last winter we had a fantastic turnout for our planting day at this reserve - Amorino Park. Locals planted hundreds of native seedlings. Since then, our keen volunteers have been keeping the weeds from smothering the native seedlings with regular working bees. We're also tackling some invasive weeds such as Japanese honeysuckle, moth plant, english ivy and arum lilies which have infested existing areas of bush in the park.
We would love for your to join us.
156 Pacific Parade, Army Bay. Meet at the reserve entrance.
At the end of the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, just before Shakespear Regional Park. is this beautiful coastal esplanade reserve. RHB has teamed up with some local residents to remove the invasive weeds and restore the natural habitat. More natural habitat will mean there is more chance that the rare native species of birds, lizards and insects that reside within the sanctuary of Shakespear to possibly spread their wings and move along the peninsula into this reserve.
Already, one of the volunteers has heard a tieke/saddleback in this area which is pretty exciting. See you there!
29 Okoromai Views, Gulf Harbour. Enter the reserve from the end of Okoromai Views and walk down the hill.
At the end of the Whangaparoa Peninsula, just before Shakespear Regional Park. is this beautiful reserve. RHB has teamed up with some local residents to remove the invasive weeds and restore the natural habitat. More natural habitat will mean there is more chance that the rare native species of birds, lizards and insects that reside within the sanctuary of Shakespear to possibly spread their wings and move along the peninsula into this reserve.
10 - 12 Gray Crescent, Waiake. Meet at the reserve at the end of Gray Crescent - right hand side of the walkway.
This amazing group has been meeting for some time now and have already made a huge impact. They have been tackling the agapanthus and watsonia, plus releasing plants on the walkway. Regular planting has ensured that the cliff is an enjoyable place to sit and enjoy the magnificent view. You can always treat yourself to a swim at the end of the working bee, at the very private little beach - and yes, it's used in winter too.
Join this awesome group when you are able, at the magical, Winstones Cove.
Whangaparaoa College. Meet outside the main school reception.
Whangaparāoa College has been working with students and RHB to undertake restoration on their school grounds. We've made some great headway, the students are enthusiastic and learning lots about caring for their taiao.
AC Healthy Waters has a big restoration project underway to restore the wetlands on the college grounds and we're all coming together to get things moving. The Enviro Group students, supported by Healthy Waters, Sustainable Schools and Restore Hibiscus and Bays, invite you, the local community to come and get involved.
We will be tackling some of the invasive weeds on the grounds to restore amazing habitat for native flora and fauna, and then we'll sit back and enjoy some food and drink while we admire our work!
Please join us for our bi-monthly network hui. Keep an eye out for details. Everyone welcome, so please feel free to bring a friend. Please RSVP by emailing info@restorehb.org.nz.