We are very excited that our aspiration of having a Volunteer Centre at Glenfern is finally becoming a reality. The project has been managed by Steve, who with Christine, is one of our Sanctuary Managers. Those of you who have visited Glenfern recently will have seen the central hub of the centre taking shape. We are eager to have it operational as soon as possible! There will be a kitchen, common room, dining space, bathrooms, and outside covered space and decks.
This new communal centre will provide the facilities required by our sanctuary volunteers. We also expect it to be used during the daytime as a stopping point for visitors doing the Glenfern loop walk. Additionally it will be a great base for school visits, researchers, study groups, young people from Spirit of New Zealand, and community groups visiting Glenfern.
Marking major advancement for the mahi at Glenfern!
Our next challenge is to source the funding for the planned cabins which will provide accommodation for our volunteers. We have already built the foundations for two cabins. Subject to funding, we hope to have these cabins completed and ready for use by winter next year.
This will be massive for Glenfern and the wider Kotuku Peninsular which we provide pest management and conservation services for. The lack of accommodation for our volunteers has been a huge constraint for us. In contrast to other mainland eco sanctuaries we simply don’t have the large numbers of volunteers able to do day trips and go home at night, as they do in these places.
Thank yous - Ngā mihi nui ki a koe
This newsletter is an opportunity to acknowledge and thank those who have generously contributed to the project to date, not the least being Lotteries Board, the Local Community Board and the GBs, a group of people with close connections to Glenfern, and the Bouzaid family who provide volunteer contributions every year to Glenfern. The GBA's have made exceptional contributions to the Volunteer Centre project with their connections and fund raising skills.
We also acknowledge and thank those who have guided us on the project in the early stages - Don Prince, and his archaeological advice and reports, and Kelly Klink’s cultural impact assessment for Ngati Rehua Ngatiwai ki Aotea Trust Board. Wendy Baverstock assisted us with the resource and building consents for the project.
This year we have been grateful for the skilled work and generous contributions on all fronts from the various contractors, consultants and suppliers who have helped us to the stage of having a functional communal centre.
Thank you to so may people including: Steve Wardill GBI Surveys, Long Term Design, GCL, Lautrec tech group ltd, Kelton Builders, Purely Residential, Albany ITM, Metalcraft Roofing, Sealink, GBBC Johnny Scott and his team, Aotea Contractors, Lift It Great barrier, Anamata, Luke Cullen PGD works, Locky LJM plumbing, Arrend Electrical, Blair Newton Waitiki Trading , NovaLab Systems Ltd, Door and Window systems, Franklins Plumbing. Chris O'dwyer Decorating, and Craig Moss Chemwash Cleaning!
And most importantly, the Glenfern Trust acknowledges the exceptional work of our Sanctuary Managers Christine and Steve who have made a huge contribution to Glenfern this year. Not only have they successfully driven and organised our core conservation and visitor accommodation work, but they have also led and worked on the front face of a project Glenfern desperately needs to achieve its environmental goals for the Kotuku Peninsula going forward.
Glenfern Tours
Tours at Glenfern continue to be very much in demand, with many visitors wanting more than simply a walk with stunning views. We offer lots of options from short and brief overviews of our work at Glenfern, to full presentations and a walk - even with a lift to the top of the Lookout!
If you are interested in finding out more, or booking, please get in touch: info@glenfern.org.nz or call 09 4290 091
Summer series - view the environment through the lens of local mana whenua
Join with Glenfern Trustee Rodney Ngawaka, connecting to the ngahere, to ngā rakau korero about Papatuanuku and what we know about the mauri and wairua of her and her children. Next event Sunday 29!
.....Travel along the Ngati Wai coast, conversing, learning, sharing and exploring, as Rodney passes on legends and stories of the place.....
Ko te Manu e kai ana i te miro, nōna te ngahere
Ko te Manu e kai ana i te mātauranga, nōna te ao.
The bird that feeds on the miro berry, for him the forest.
The bird that partakes of knowledge – for him the world.
Transport to the top will be available, bring kai to share, coffee and teas will be provided.
We welcome you to join us on our exciting journey at Glenfern
Come visit us this summer - walk the Loop Track, join one of Steve's Tours, and we still have accommodation available....
And Glenfern Sanctuary would love your feedback. Please post a review to our profile. Review Glenfern on Google
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Ngā mihi
Steve, Christine, and the Glenfern team
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