If anyone is interested in participating in a work day on Motuora, please see details below and contact Kevin Hawkins of the Motuora Restoration Society Committee on norkins.family@gmail.com

Due to recent weather events, we are having our February end of the month trip next week Saturday 4 March.  This trip we have some nursery work involving seed processing/planting & clipping up shade cloth on the stand-out areas, we also want to “prune” the sides of some of our main tracks & also some of the weeding tracks

If you are able to join us, please contact me on the following email: norkins.family@gmail.com & provide us with the NUMBER OF PERSONS coming and a CONTACT PHONE NUMBER; if the trip is cancelled due to the conditions we need to know who to contact. Please include your contact phone number even if you are a regular as we may not have access to it if it is required.   Booking is essential although if you are booking, please commit to attending regardless of the weather wet or dry; the only reason we cancel trips is if the wind makes landing untenable due to direction & or velocity. We make this call in conjunction with the taxi operator on Friday afternoon.   Of course, illness, family matters, crisis & the like are unavoidable; if you can't come let us know so we don't wait on the wharf for you.   The ferry return cost is $20.00 for adults, children under 12 years $10.00 & under 5 years free.   On Saturday the ferry departs Sandspit wharf at 8am returning approximately 4 to 4.30pm.   If you are coming you will need to bring your own lunch although we will gather at the potting shed at lunch time where tea & coffee will be available.

As always please always remember to be vigilant with regards to bio-security; this is to ensure no breathing or plant pests make it to Motuora in your luggage or on your clothing. Clean the soles of your footwear, check uppers, laces and linings for any dirt or seeds that could be introduced to the Island; socks, pockets or Velcro are easy ways for pest seeds to be spread, so keep these things in mind. Unlikely as it may sound breathing pests such as mice ants or even rats can make their way to sanctuaries like Motuora in people's luggage or packs; please check all your gear before you board the water taxi.

Kevin Hawkins