For Volunteer Week 2025, Aorangi Restoration Trust proudly celebrated “the extraordinary efforts” of all its volunteers who are helping to bring native life back to the wild coastlines and rugged hills of South Wairarapa. And it’s calling for more volunteers to expand its predator control programme.
At the forefront of this work are Chris and Andy Corser, a local couple whose dedication over the past decade has had a big impact on the coastal biodiversity between Cape Palliser and Ngāpotiki.
Powered by their own quad bikes, a commitment to conservation and hundreds of hours of their own time, Chris and Andy have removed over a thousand nasty predators from this fragile environment. Feral cats, mustelids and hedgehogs once roamed unchecked, wreaking havoc on native birds, frogs, and skinks. Thanks to the Corsers’ tireless efforts, native wildlife is once again beginning to thrive in areas where it was being ravaged by unchecked predators.
When they began their mahi ten years ago, no predator control had ever been attempted along this stretch of coast. Introduced mammals, brought in by early European settlers, had created a full-blown ecological crisis. But Chris and Andy stepped in where no-one else had, helping turn the tide in favour of the native species that call this coast home.
Aorangi Restoration Trust offers its deepest thanks not only to Chris and Andy, but to all the other dedicated volunteers – including Wayne Roper, Dick Farrell, Bruce Wenden, Hew and Sophia Lewis, Joe Hansen, Jim Law, the Martinborough Lions Club and others – all of whom have played crucial roles in restoring this unique coastal environment.
Recently the Martinborough Mens Shed helped by refurbishing traps and building korora -Little Penguin – nesting boxes with materials donated by Mitre10 Martinborough. The work, however, is far from done. The Trust is now seeking new volunteers to continue and expand predator control into the interior of Aorangi Forest Park. No experience necessary – training, equipment, and support are provided.
Every trap set, every hour given, makes a meaningful difference. Notes the Trust’s Joe Howells: “Every hand helps. Every voice counts. Every trap matters.”
If you’d like to be part of this incredible grassroots effort to protect the Aorangi native species, please get in touch with Joe Howells 027 597 2667.
