The Aongatete Forest Project and its volunteers are starting 2023 on a high, with the recent opening of their newly expanded kōhanga.

Trustee David Peters says that AFP had become a 'victim of its own success” – with volunteers numbers growing and the project being so successful during the last 15 years leading to the dire need for a bigger, better building.

'The old building was never intended to support such numbers,” says David. 'It was obvious we had completely outgrown the existing facility. So, with generous support from TECT and Western Bay of Plenty District Council, we embarked on the expansion.”

Aongatete Forest Project, a registered charity under the name Aongatete Forest Restoration Trust, is a group that manages 500 hectares of forest in the Kaimai Mamaku Conservation Park between Tauranga and Katikati.

200 volunteers, 65km of traplines

Some 200 volunteers work to ensure the long-term protective management of the native vegetation and fauna. Volunteers have been undertaking pest control – targeting rats, possums and stoats – for more than 15 years. To date, 65km of traplines have been cut into the bush. And a number of rare plant species have been reintroduced to the forest through the restoration efforts.

Engaging people with New Zealand's native biodiversity and why it's worth protecting is important to AFP, which is why the organisation works closely with the Aongatete Outdoor Education Centre and Bay Conservation Alliance to deliver school and public education programmes. Bay Conservation Alliance also bring their Conservation Cadets programme to Aongatete.

These programmes have proved very successful, resulting in a significant increase in visitors to the kōhanga and forest, says David.

'The building project started in 2021 when it became clear that the increasing number of volunteers, educational sessions, and general visitors were putting pressure on the existing 27m2 facility.”

David says the trust received $45,389 in funding from TECT and $50,000 from WBOPDC towards the new all-weather educational base.

Weather station, webcams

In addition to the building extension, the project included installation of a weather station, webcams, and Wi-Fi connectivity. The weather conditions will be stored to form part of a long-term climate change record for the area.

'AFP is highly regarded for their restoration and pest eradication work,” says TECT chairperson Bill Holland. 'They have a strong volunteer base and sense of community.”

'TECT is particularly impressed by the number of visitors, events and educational sessions that are hosted at the kōhanga. We're proud to support the expansion of the group's hub and look forward to seeing their great work continue well into the future.”

Supporters of AFP gathered on November 30 to officially open their newly-expanded kōhanga.