Welcome to Puketi Forest
A free family event highlighting the treasures of Puketi Forest on Saturday will be one of the highlights of Conservation Week in the Far North.
Nga Taonga Korero o¯ Puketi — the Treasured Stories of Puketi, from 3pm to 8pm, will include story-telling, guided walks, glow worms, a kids’ zone and information on forest health.
The eco-friendly event — people are encouraged to carpool and take a reusable cup — will start at the Puketi Recreation Campground, 1715 Waiare Rd.
This year’s 50th Conservation Week, which ends on Sunday, is aimed at encouraging people to get involved in nature and do their bit to help to take care of it, including the more than 4000 native plants and animals that are threatened or at risk.
Bay of Islands DOC Ranger Clare Redward said she was very excited about the Puketi Forest family event, a joint event between the department and the Kerikeri Keas, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers.
“It’s an incredibly special place, and this is a great opportunity for people of all ages to experience the forest’s sights and sounds, learn about our protected species, hear stories from our past and get involved in fun forest health activities,” she said.
“This Conservation Week we reflect on five decades of amazing conservation effort that has saved species, restored habitats, and inspired the next 50 years of protecting our native taonga.”
Other Conservation Week events include a special story time for pre-schoolers at Kerikeri’s Procter Library today, 10.30am to 11am.