Okarito GorseBusters

18/11/2025

“Just get on with it,” Neill Simpson tells me across the kitchen table, eyes fixed on mine and well worn hands folded in front of him. “If you wait for people to cross every t and dot every i, you’ll lose your enthusiasm."

Neill Simpson, co-founder Whakatipu Reforestation Trust, regular GorseBusters volunteer and inspiration.

“Just get on with it,” Neill Simpson tells me across the kitchen table, eyes fixed on mine and well worn hands folded in front of him. “If you wait for people to cross every t and dot every i, you’ll lose your enthusiasm. Occasionally you get a slap on the knuckles, but that's about all.” ...

10/11/2025

So, no excuses for not coming over in March 2026 for GorseBusters 6. Guaranteed good weather, right?!

Where are you heading this summer?

Four out of the last five summers have resulted in La Niña conditions on the West Coast. Last summer was exceptionally dry, and stable after a wet spring, with great conditions for kayaking Ōkārito Lagoon.

Great swimming in the warm, shallow waters of the lagoon; stunning views up across the central Southern Alps from sea to mountain; and the calm, quiet expanse of NZ's largest unmodified coastal wetland with it's multitude of river channels leading km's into the shaded bush to explore.

All a peaceful world away from the busy bustle of the South Island's highways and tourist hotspots.

This coming summer looks like it will continue to follow that pattern.

You coming over?

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/577742/summer-weather-warm-humid-days-with-chance-of-heavy-rain

West Coast, New Zealand Glacier Country NZ 100% Pure New Zealand Donovan's Store - Okarito Okarito Campground

05/04/2025

GorseBusters 5 wrapped up last night with another bloody good week of hard work, good eating, new and old friends made, and awesome scenery (if you could get your head above the South Westland bush).

More detail, photos and scars to follow, but we're stoked again to have had all this help.

Huge thanks to the cast of hundreds who got stuck in or kept us housed, fed, watered and supplied - volunteers & supporters, near and far.

Good on you.



Glacier Country NZ Department of Conservation 100% Pure New Zealand Donovan's Store - Okarito Development West Coast Okarito Sandfly Repellent Okarito Kayaks Shortjaw YUM Granola Ribbonwood Retreat Franz Josef Glacier C4 Coffee Westland District Council - Te Kahui o Poutini Silver Fern Farms Okarito Campground PGG Wrightson Ltd Franz Josef Glacier Guides West Coast Regional Council Kiwicare Home & Garden

16/03/2025

Two weeks from now, GorseBusters round 5 kicks off ....

A week of clearing gorse, eating, hanging out, clearing gorse, kayaking, boating, clearing gorse, coffee, beer, entertainment, clearing gorse - you get the picture.

Over seventy good sorts from all around NZ will join locals rolling up their sleeve's to hook into looking after New Zealand's largest unmodified coastal wetland, Ōkārito Lagoon.

No grants, no payments, no expecting someone else to do it - just a simple, productive, down-to-earth working bee made possible by the generosity of dozens of local and national businesses offering food and supplies; organisations lending tools and equipment; and Kiwi's from near and far giving up baches, kayaks, boats, knowledge, and whatever they can pick from the garden or paddock.

It takes work to look after paradise. Good on you all.



Glacier Country NZ Department of Conservation 100% Pure New Zealand Donovan's Store - Okarito Development West Coast Okarito Sandfly Repellent Okarito Kayaks Shortjaw YUM Granola Franz Josef Glacier Guides Ribbonwood Retreat Franz Josef Glacier C4 Coffee West Coast Regional Councill NZICESCAPES IMAGES - stock photography from New Zealand Silver Fern Farms Westland District Council - Te Kahui o Poutini Hokitika isite Visitor Information Centre Franz Josef Cdo Okarito Campground Kiwicare Home & Garden