This story is the first in a monthly series, as featured in the Raglan Chronicle, exploring and adventuring with the Karioi Project team. Drawing on inspiration from nature, we'll be sharing stories of hope and resilience as our team works towards restoring te taio and connecting our local community with nature. These stories are printed thanks to the support of the Wahinemoe.

Spring is here at last and on Mt Karioi, our rangers and volunteers have heard the first calls of pīpīwharauroa (the shining cuckoo) ringing through the forest. Each year, this bird's unique call signals the start of warmer months, as it migrates back from Australia to breed in Aotearoa.

Birds are not the only ones who have been busy; Karioi Project educators Amber, Holly, Lenny and Val have just finished a jam-packed environmental holiday programme that takes tamariki into nature to learn more about local flora and fauna and sharpen their bush skills. 

Education coordinator Amber Hawkins Jones says the holiday programmes are a fun way to connect young people with the natural world, sparking their curiosity and helping them understand why we need to look after nature. 

The team took tamariki to visit the burrows of some iconic, locally based seabirds – the ōi / grey-faced petrel and the kororā/ little penguin.

“The kids were excited to learn that inside the burrows, the ōi chicks have hatched. Afterwards, they set rat traps along Karioi traplines, helping to make the connection between protecting native birds and trapping predators. 

“I love watching the kids connect with nature while having fun, getting muddy and learning how to care for our precious local flora and fauna.”