Meet a volunteer series

It’s time to introduce you to another one of our amazing volunteers, Lynda Lim. Lynda bought a house in Raglan with her partner Jeff many years ago with the intention of moving here to retire. A couple of years ago, they were finally able to semi-retire to spend their time surfing, gardening and enjoying the bush in their home near Indicators. Lynda noticed the traps in her neighbourhood on her daily dog walks and started wondering if she could help out. Lucky for us, she ran into someone who was able to tell her about the Karioi Project and point her in our direction. Also lucky for us, she almost always has fresh baking to share when we visit. 

Where are you from? 

Born and bred in Waikato. Lived in Australia for over 20 years. 

How did you hear about the Karioi Project?

I ran into Shelley when I was walking around near my home. I had seen the traps around and wondered if the project needed anyone to help check them, and then we literally ran into Shelley and she told us the story of the project and put us in touch. It was a line that I walk every day with my dog so it seemed like an obvious thing to do to volunteer and check the traps. Because we live here in the bush, we’ve got tūī, kererū and pīwakawaka. It seemed like an extension of living in the bush to protect what we’ve got here. And when I heard about the ōi , that became another thing to protect.

How do you volunteer?

I check the traps around Indicators and the Lagoon, which help protect the burrows where the ōi are known to nest. It’s all thanks to the landowners who gave the Karioi Project access to lay and check the traps. 

I’ve also helped make a few runs to Huntly Mens Shed to pick up up to 100 wooden rat tunnels. And I got to join when the seabird dog, Rua, came to search for burrows, and we found a whole new burrow cluster at Half Moon Bay. 

Currently, I’m visiting my neighbours to see if they can help with the trapping efforts around Indicators and Whale Bay, and inviting them to a Trapperware party that I’m hosting for the Backyard Hub.

How do you spend your time outside of your volunteering? 

Surfing first. Then a little bit of work for an online yachting website. My current project is to document the history of women surfers and women surfing in Raglan. 

Do you do any other volunteering?

I helped set up a foundation in Australia to run aid projects to the Indonesian island of Sumba, which included bringing an eye program and dental program in to help the people of the islands. Sumba is one of the poorest islands in the Indonesian archipelago.

Favourite bird?

It’s hard… but I’d have to say kererū because we have one that hangs around here all the time.