Eastern Whio Link

05/10/2026

Some of our attendees on our Eastern Whio Link Tane weekend at Journeys End Station had aspirations of learning to use a hand piece…

Being ever accommodating Stu Jefferis got into teaching mode and we got stuck in.

That’s what community is all about. Working side by side to bring each other up.

This Tane weekend was all about mental health and working side by side as part of a community and learning together sure makes a fella feel supported in life.

And when you feel supported in life by being a part of something it goes a long way when it comes to mental health.

Well that’s what we reckon anyway.

30/09/2026

Did you know your traps don’t come out of the factory springing off at the right weights?

Here on Eastern Whio Link as part of our Tane Weekends supported by Leading From The Land we teach our volunteers how to adjust traps to the ideal weights to catch stoats. It’s all part of being a great little conservation project.

28/09/2026

23/09/2026

Sausage making and advanced butchery was part of our second Tane weekend.

We listened to our community and many of our volunteers wanted to learn how to make sausages.

And while the mechanics of the sausage machine made for some questionable hand motions what we do know is that when men work together side by side doing something productive some of the best conversations are had.

That is our approach to preventative mental health on Eastern Whio Link

It’s all about building community, building skillsets and having a great time while we are doing it.

If you or someone you know would like to support us to put on these Tane weekends for the community we would love to hear from you.

This one was supported Leading From The Land and hosted by Journeys End Station

21/09/2026

On our second Tane Weekend one of our focusses was advanced butchery…

The feedback from our community was that men’s mental health is often enhanced by a sense of community and purpose and that some of the best conversations and connections happen working side by side.

That’s why we chose to focus on building up our skills as providers on Tane Weekend number 2 at Journeys End Station

Thank you to Leading From The Land for supporting this kaupapa.

If you would like to be part of future events give us a follow and if you would like to support us to put on these events for the community please get in touch.

20/09/2026

We had another great Tane weekend Journeys End Station focussed on Rural Mental Health.

What we know is that men often have their support network in the community they do things with. We are well when we are out there doing things together with our mates who we can just be us with.

When we are actively doing side by side we sometimes have our most open conversations.

Thats why with our Tane Weekends supported by Leading From The Land we focus on learning new skills together.

We all have different skills and areas of knowledge and within each rōpū there are times when each person teaches and shares skills and at other times learn.

Thats what it’s all about for us. Addressing mental health through community and learning together.

07/09/2026

Your invited…

To our BIG Eastern Whio Link strategy session, this weekend Saturday 12th 9am - 12.30pm at the Matawai Firestation. Lunch is catered by Rachel Jefferis of Journeys End Station

This is your opportunity to feed into what Eastern Whio Link achieves in the year ahead.

Everyone who attends gets one of our great new Eastern Whio Link hats as well as a bunch of other prizes.

If you need a ride reach out and we will find a car pool for you.

We look forward to seeing you there.

04/09/2026

Project Reflection

Paraire is always a good time to look back on the week that's been.
We've decided it's also a good opportunity to reflect on some of the great mahi that happens with group's funded by LFTL.
As part of our commitment to them, every group receives a web page communicating their vision, history, milestones, and links to media. Importantly it's also a place to showcase the mahi they have done with our funding, their learnings, outcomes, and reflections.
Project pages are an excellent resource for anyone to find what's happening in the region, get specific information from various trials that are underway, and even get motivation to create something within their own community.
This week we're shining a light on Eastern Whio Link Charitable Trusts page. We're not going to give much away other than the link, so click away and enjoy a 5 minute read about a committed group doing great things in taiao.
https://www.lftl.co.nz/projects-eastern-whio

27/08/2026

Upcoming dates:

12th September- EWL Strategy Day
All welcome. 9am-12pm @ Matawai Fire station lunch provided. Goody bags for all attendees.

18-20th September- Tane Weekend Journeys End Station
This is currently full with a huge waiting list.

7-8th November- Sika Show
Eastern Whio Link has a stand at Sika Show this year. We would love you to come spend time on the stand with the crew.

20-22nd November- Volunteer weekend
This is our big one for the year where we put a helicopter in the air, service all the traps and monitor our Whio chick hatching. If you would like to get involved send us a message.

19-21st March- Wahine Weekend “learn to fly fish” with Shelen Scout Boyes

Appreciate you and thanks to all those who have been checking their trap lines this winter. The results are definitely having an impact.

10/08/2026

If you would like to get your hands on one of our Eastern Whio Link mugs head over to our website.

As you would expect, all profits go towards whio conservation in the Waioweka.