A combined trip with Rotorua Botanical Society and Forest and Bird.

Leader: Paul Cashmore

Contact: Sandra Goodwin Ph: 07 362-8865 Email:

Meet : Te Puia Carpark (southern end) (ex Maori Arts and Crafts Institute) at the South end of Rotorua on SH30 just  north  of  the  SH  5  (Old  Taupo  Rd)  intersection  at  8:30am  or  DOC  Ashpit  Road  campground,  Lake Rerewhakaaitu at 9:15am.

Grade: Medium-Hard and in particular confident walking on steep mobile scoria slopes and along high and sharp ridges.

Registration: Minimum age 14 years old. Maximum of 30 people on trip on a first come basis but must register first with Sandra Goodwin by Monday 14 March at latest. (Trip full as of 13/3/2016, but you can try contacting Sandra in case there are any cancellations).

Cost: Free

Bring: Minimum two litres water, lunch and snacks, wet weather and warm gear, sun hat, sunblock, boots or sturdy shoes, gaiters and/or leggings an advantage for loose scoria, gloves for pulling out pines.

We will be driven to the top of Mt Tarawera by 4WD bus and vehicle to the crater rim and hear a bit about the history and ecological values of the mountain. We will be led by staff from Kaitiaki Tours with assistance from Ruawahia trustees and DOC staff while we take in the stunning views. This year we will climb onto the edge of Ruawahia or Tarawera domes with time to take in the flora, fauna and 360 degree views of the Bay of Plenty. We will then spend the rest of the day helping to handpull wilding conifer seedlings to assist the Ruawahia Wilding Conifer Project which aims to control the spread of wilding conifers in order to protect the unique values on the mountain.