October is National Kiwi Month and the Whakatāne Kiwi Trust has a number of community events planned to raise awareness about our national icon and the amazing work that Whakatāne Kiwi Trust volunteers do in our local reserves. We’re also being a little bit cheeky by starting Kiwi Month a few days early this year, to make the most of the September / October School Holidays!!!
PechaKucha Whakatāne
PechaKucha is the world’s fastest-growing storytelling platform, used by millions around the globe. 20 slides. 20 seconds of commentary per slide. That’s it! Simple and engaging. We will have ten presenters to entertain you – all with different topics, passions and stories to share. Rest assured there will be something for everyone!
Nibbles will be provided, along with spot prizes and a free shuttle at the end of the night. Please bring cash to purchase drinks and support our raffles!
A BIG thank you to Pacific Toyota Whakatāne for allowing us to use their community coach for our shuttle vehicle, and to the following event sponsors for their generous support:
– The Beacon Newspaper – – – Whakatāne Roofing
– Clark Bros Electrical
– Eastern Bay Auto Electrical
BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL as places are strictly limited! To book go to: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2020/pechakucha-whakatane/whakatane
Kiwi Tracker Walks
Dates: Wednesday 30 September & Saturday 10 October 2020 Time: 9.00am – 12.00pm
Cost: $5 per child, $5 per accompanying adult
Come on a journey of discovery into the heart of ‘Kiwi Country’ – the Ōhope Scenic Reserve!
– Listen for kiwi in the area using a real ‘chick pinging’ aerial
– Follow a trap line and learn about the different pests that threaten our kiwi
– Discover an old kiwi burrow
– Look out for kaka and other native birds
– Check out the weta in the houses
This trip requires a reasonable level of fitness and is aimed at 8 to 14-year olds. An accompanying adult is not required; however, parents/caregivers are welcome to join in!
Kiwi Scavenger Hunts
Dates: Tuesday 29 September & Friday 09 October 2020 Time: 10.00am – 12.00pm Location: Fairbrother Loop Walk, Ōhope Scenic Reserve
Come on a journey of discovery into the heart of ‘Kiwi Country’ – the Ōhope Scenic Reserve Cost: $5 per child, No charge for accompanying adult
Be part of a kiwi scavenger hunt on the Fairbrother Loop track at the bottom of the Ōhope Hill.
– Look for signs of Ōhope (the resident kiwi in this area)
– Discover kiwi footsteps in the stream
– Smell kiwi poop!
– Listen for Ōhope’s tracking signal with an experienced kiwi ‘chick pinger’
– Discover the kiwi info houses hidden in the bush
– Meet other locals like the curious piwakawaka (fantail) and toutouwai (North Island robin)
This will be an interactive and fun two-hour session aimed at younger children aged 5 to 8-years. All children must be accompanied by an adult, and a maximum of four children per accompanying adult is recommended.
BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL as places are strictly limited! To book go to: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2020/kiwi-scavenger-hunt/whakatane
Kids Discovery Dusk Walks
Venture into the bush at dusk and discover a new world of sights and sounds!
– Listen for kiwi, ruru and weka.
– Check out the spiders and huge cave wētā
– Look in the stream for native fish like the giant kōkopu
– Hunt for kiwi footprints
– Learn about the work of the Whakatāne Kiwi Trust and what our amazing volunteers are doing to protect kiwi and native taonga (treasures!)
Age guide: 5 to 12 years. All children must be accompanied by an adult and a maximum of four children per accompanying adult is recommended.
BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL as places are strictly limited! To book go to: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2020/kids-discovery-dusk-walk/whakatane
Kiwi Wandering Trail Days
Have you completed the Kiwi Wandering Trail yet? If not, why not grab the kids these school holidays and find all ten of the life‑size bronze kiwi statues hidden in key locations across the heart of Whakatāne.
Pick up a Kiwi Wandering Trail map with clues from the Whakatāne i-SITE or Whakatāne Library, or download it from the Whakatāne Kiwi Trust website: https://www.whakatanekiwi.org.nz/experiences/kiwi-wandering-trail/
On Thursday 01 and Saturday 03 October, we will also have special Kiwi Wandering Trail packs that you pick up from the wonderful team at the i-SITE and then use to complete fun activities along the Trail.
Our fantastic Education Coordinator, Helen Dobbin, will also have the Whakatāne Kiwi Trust Information Trailer parked up at Wairaka Centennial Park with games, books and a wealth of kiwi-related information for curious minds.
There is no requirement to book, and no charge to complete the Kiwi Wandering Trail or hang out at the Information Trailer. However, please note: a $2 donation is required to loan the activity packs.
Kiwi Month at the Whakatāne Library
Kiwi Aversion Training for Dogs
It doesn’t take a huge hunting dog to kill a kiwi – even a playful or curious bite can damage a kiwi’s internal organs and result in death. You can minimise this risk by getting your dog ‘Kiwi Aversion’ trained at our next training session in Whakatāne.
Training will take place in Mokorua Bush Scenic Reserve. Meet at the Whakatāne Kiwi Trust Information trailer, in the car park at the bottom of White Horse Drive.
BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL due to limited training spots. To book a time, please contact Donna via email: donzoe3120@gmail.com, or phone: (07) 561-7352 (after 5pm).
