Manawahe Eco Trust

05/10/2026

It seemed like everyone had a spring in their step for Saturday’s baiting day, all of us making it back to the picnic tables around 11.30am. Jude passed around the shortbread and ANZAC biscuits while people settled in with a cuppa or tucked into sandwiches from home or Aunty New World.

"To find more volunteers, maybe we could tell people that a morning with us is like forest bathing," Pete F said from across the picnic table. "I don't know about you, but going up and down the Cell Tower tracks isn't exactly what I call relaxing." Ronna chimed in. IYKYK 👀

This run of good weather has kept us on track for this year’s spring baiting program. The Kōkako Block is now finished, and we’re on track to tick off the remaining few around the Cell Tower. A huge thank you to our volunteers for getting boots on the ground to get the job done.

03/10/2026

EVENT CANCELLED: Unfortunately, with more bad weather on the way, we’ve made the tough call to cancel our pickleball event.
A big thank you to everyone who had planned to come along. We’re disappointed not to be able to go ahead, but the weather just isn’t on our side this time.

The good news is that our pickleball courts at the Manawahe Ecological Community Centre are available for the public to use anytime. Outside of Trust-organised activities, you’re very welcome to come down for a game - just bring your own paddles and balls.

We hope you’ll still make use of the courts and enjoy them when the weather clears!

27/09/2026

We had 40 volunteers join us our Spring Baiting Day on Saturday, and that meant we were able to fill around 80% of our stations. Stoked! From our regulars to keen bushwalkers, families, the ‘what are you doing on Saturday?’ friends - many boots make light work. Thank you for turning up and getting the work done!

After a morning in the bush, volunteers had a hot cuppa waiting for them and soon tucked into lunch of BBQ burgers and of course, a great spread of homebaking. Thank you to the team at the Community Centre who made sure our volunteers were well looked after before they headed home.

The kōkako nesting season is from October to February, and spring baiting gives them the best chance of avoiding predation. We’ll be back in six weeks to do another rat monitor and we’re hoping the Trakkas come back with zero to low levels of rat activity in the Manawahe bush.

P.S. If you have photos and videos from Saturday, we'd love to share them. Send them via PM to our page.

26/09/2026

EVENT POSTPONED: Due to tomorrow’s less-than-ideal weather forecast, we’ve made the call to postpone our Pickleball Tournament and Car Boot Sale until next Sunday, 4 October.

Everything will still go ahead as planned - just one week later. Fingers crossed for some better spring weather next weekend! 🤞

If you’ve already registered, we’ll see you then. If you haven’t yet, there’s still time to get involved.

Pickleball tournament: $20 per team
Car boot sale: $5 per car/booth

To register or book a car boot spot, email [email protected]

Please help us spread the word.

22/09/2026

Thinking of joining our pickleball tournament this Sunday? 🏓

If you’re new to pickleball, or just want a quick refresher before the weekend, this is a handy guide to the basics:

https://usapickleball.org/pickleball-skills/level-one/how-to-play-pickleball/

You don’t need to be an expert - our tournament is all about having a go, having some fun, and helping us officially open the new courts at the Manawahe Ecological Community Centre.

$20 per team, bring cash on the day
Sunday 27 September

To register, email [email protected].

Learn the basics of playing pickleball.