Get involved Discovery Tour

Step back in time and discover what New Zealand use to look like with short walks through prehistoric native habitat, 40...Show More

Step back in time and discover what New Zealand use to look like with short walks through prehistoric native habitat, 400 hundred years old beech trees, immense tree ferns

Make your mark in the history of our newly established “Mable Hope reserve” by planting your own unique tree thus helping with the regeneration of our native habitat.
Stunning scenic drive over an ancient volcano guided by our experience guide, you will gain an insight in the importance of New Zealand native forest and discover some of the vital connection made with our native wildlife.
Once at Pohatu bay a perfect mix of working sheep farm, penguin colony and native forests.
The conservation efforts by this farming family over the years has helped the penguins thrive but they have also planned their farming practices around balancing economy and ecology in order to protect the biodiversity found in their backyard.
The Helps family have dedicated 40% of their 1000 acres property to bush reserves, placed in covenants of native vegetation protected legally in perpetuity. And it is in this 40% that we get you to help us restore the land to what it would have looked like 700 years ago before us Humans changed everything.
We are aiming to create a beautiful place not just for us but also for our native birds, lizards, insects and future generations to enjoy.

Itinerary
- 12.30pm departure
- Scenic drive, photo stops and commentary
- 1.15pm short walk into Tutakakahikura scenic reserve
o 20 minutes or so to discover a remnant piece of bush to talk about what New Zealand used to look like and get an understanding of what we are trying to achieve.
o Partly self-guided longer walk can be organised (30 to 40 minutes)
- 2pm at Flea bay with the friendly pet sheep
- 2.15pm penguin nature talks and short walk to monitor nesting site(s)
- 2.45pm native tree planting in a specific zone allowing clients and future friends or family members to come and check on the same tree.
o The importance of the regeneration of a forest,
o Different sort of trees and their impact/relationship on wildlife
o Comparison between the remnant forest Tutakakahikura and Mable Hope reserve.
- 3.30pm tea and coffee
- 4.30pm back in Akaroa.
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