Ensuring kōkako thrive in the Kaharoa Forest
Through ecosystem management and community leadership.
Our volunteer efforts focus on nurturing a kōkako stronghold through predator control, genetic management and habitat preservation efforts in the Kaharoa Forest, Bay of Plenty, Aotearoa New Zealand.
Welcome to the Kaharoa Kōkako Trust.
950
hectares protected
26+
years operating
5000+
Annual volunteer hours
30+
core volunteers
57
breeding kōkako pairs
160
traps
1170
bait stations
90+
km of tracks under management
27,000+
km volunteer vehicle contribution
-
To ensure the long-term protection and survival of kōkako in the Kaharoa Forest through effective ecosystem management and community leadership.
We strive to maintain an ecosystem with the conditions required to enable kōkako to not only survive, but to thrive and flourish.
-
The Kaharoa Kōkako Trust (KKT) was founded by a group of passionate individuals who were determined to save this local remnant kōkako population.
With a shared vision and a deep love for nature, we have worked tirelessly over the last few decades to secure funding, carry out conservation work, and establish KKT as the caretaker of this forested land.
Today, the team continues to work together to protect and restore the habitat of the kōkako, and our efforts have led to an increase in the bird population.
-
The work of the Kaharoa Kōkako Trust is made possible through the help and collaboration from 30 + core volunteers, support agencies, funding providers and hapū (Rangiwewehi and Tapuika).
Volunteers:
We are always looking to expand our volunteer network.
If you would like to learn more about volunteer opportunities email: kktvolunteering@gmail.com
Support Agencies:• Department of Conservation
• Bay of Plenty Regional Council
• Western Bay of Plenty District Council
• Bay Conservation AllianceFunding Providers:
We are deeply grateful for the contributions from our supporters including:• Integral
• Port Blakely Ltd
• WWF-New Zealand
• The Tindall Foundation
• Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund
• Barfoot & Thompson
• Rotorua Trust
• Bay Trust
• The Lion Foundation
• Aotearoa Gaming Trust
…and numerous donations from many individuals whose cumulative contributions make up the Kōkako Nest Egg.
Hapū:
If you wish to become a sponsor, please email kaharoakokako@gmail.com. -
We always welcome donations and financial support to continue and expand the work we’re doing.
Donate a specific trap for our trap network through giveatrap.org.nz.
You can make an individual donation via our Give a Little page: www.givealittle.co.nz/org/Kokako.
Or, if you’d like to become a sponsor, please email kaharoakokako@gmail.com.
-
Kaharoa Forest is located up the hill from Hamurana, on the opposite side of Lake Rotorua to the main township.
The start of the Kaharoa Kōkako Track is located near the end of Kakapuku Road, about 500m past the shelter.
For more information about the Kaharoa Conservation Area, please visit the Department of Conservation website.
About us
Upcoming events
-
SAT, 27 APR AT 8:45
Upcoming Work Morning - all welcome
We need your help! Specific details on tasks to be completed will be advised closer to the date. There’s a task for everyone & as always, new volunteers will be paired with more experienced volunteers 🌱😎
Please meet by 8:50 am at the carpark shelter, end of Kapukapu Rd. -
FRI, 3 MAY AT 8:45
**Please note: This volunteer activity is for EXPERIENCED volunteers who are able to navigate a tracking line independently.***
This meeting time is NOT CONFIRMED so please email to confirm the exact meeting time
Inexperienced volunteers who are keen to lend a hand, please still get in touch. If we have enough volunteer numbers we will be able to pair you up with a more experienced volunteer
- Help us put out our pre-pest operation RTI tracking cards
- Cards are placed into monitoring tunnels which are placed along marked monitoring tracks*****Please let us know if you plan to come - email: kaharoakokakotrust@gmail.com *****
- We need to know beforehand who will be helping so that we can prepare the equipment and allocate tasks
- For more information on what to expect and what to bring, please get in touch via email -
SAT, 4 MAY AT 8:45
Volunteer Morning
Come and help us collect in our pre-pest operation RTI tracking cards. Cards are collected from monitoring tunnels which are placed along marked monitoring tracks.
All welcome! New volunteers will be paired with more experienced volunteers
*****Please let us know if you plan to come - email: kaharoakokakotrust@gmail.com so we can pre-arrange our task allocations and organise catering *****
Meet at the carpark shelter by 8:50am
Welcome to stay for a cuppa, cookie and chat afterwardsFor more information on what to expect and what to bring, please get in touch via email
-
SAT, 12 MAY AT 8:45
***Please email us if you plan to join, so that we can pre-arrange the bait bags, pre-allocate lines and organise catering***
- Please also email to check that this event will go ahead. If we get enough volunteers on Saturday (11/5) we won't be needing to hold this extra volunteer morning. If we don't get enough volunteers on Saturday (11/5), then we will need all hands on deck on this day to get all the bait out on time - so please email so we know to make contact with you!- Email: kaharoakokakotrust@gmail.com
- All welcome! Inexperienced volunteers will be paired with experienced volunteers
- Help us put bait into bait stations. You do not require a controlled substance license for the bait we are using (pindone)
- For more information on what to expect and what to bring, please get in touch via email
- Meet at the carpark shelter by 8:50am
“Volunteering with the Trust is an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing survival of kōkako, and is also a chance to immerse yourself in a unique piece of New Zealand native forest”
— Michael Richards, Volunteer
Keen to get involved?
We’re always looking for new volunteers, and there are opportunities available for all skillsets and physical abilities. If you’d like to get involved, enter your details below to start the conversation.