"To encourage interest and assist the Te Urewera Board in any measures directed towards the preservation of Te Urewera and the development of amenities for making the delights of Te Urewera more readily accessible to the public." The Friends of Te Urewera
Some of the Friends projects include the following;
1965 - Purchased an APK stretcher for Search & Rescue work.
1966 - Conveyed all building m
aterials and built the Waikareiti Day Shelter.
1969 - Onepoto directional plaque and surroundings.
1972 - Friends and Wairoa branch of The Royal Forest and Bird Society took 72 people into the Waitangi Falls to gain support to have this area included in the Park.
1973 - Working bees at Park Head Quarters, Friends also contributed $1000 to this project.
1973 - Opening of the Huiarau Day Shelter (since demolished) - built with Friends donations.
1978 - Sponsored closing of the Onepoto Redoubt area to prevent its use as a car park.
1978 - Instrumental in having the first holiday booklet printed. Printing costs covered by the Friends.
1979 - Redoubt plaque completed.
1980 - Assisted in bringing the trailer down from Aniwaniwa Valley to Park Headquarters. Research into the history of the trailer and wording of the information plaque.
1982 - Dave Withers and Ruakituri members rebuilt the steps and approach to Rahui Island.
1984 - Lou's Track, to the lookout above Rosie Bay completed.
1985 - Shelter on Lake Track at Onepoto completed.
1985 - Campaign to save the Maungataniwha Bush, public meeting and petition.
1986 - Delegation to select committee of Parliament to put case for inclusion of Maungataniwha Bush into Te Urewera National Park.
1987 - Interpretation board at historical Pa site, Ngutuoha, Waimana Valley.
1987 - A bridge on the Lake Track.
1988/90 - Donation of $3200 to upgrade four toilets on the shores of Waikaremoana.
1989/90 - Helped with the finance and labour of upgrading Panekiri Hut.
1992 - Planted kakabeak seedlings around the foot of Panekiri Bluff under their Mother plants.
1992 - Cut and sprayed ivy in Rosie Bay area.
1994 - Donation of $5000 towards floating pontoon at Home Bay.
1998 - Spraying of willows on lakeshore areas.
1999 - Submission to Park Management plan.
2000 - Wilderness area at Ruakituri, gazetted.
2001 - Donated a seat for the Nga Toanga Tuku Iho gallery, Park headquarters.
2002/2003 - Rata Tree Boardwalk Ngamoko, $1500 donated towards timber.
2004 - Published an A-Z photograph album for the information centre at Park Headquarters.
2004 - Celebrated 40 years as an Association with a meeting and dinner held at Home Bay in a marquee. Other projects have included the donation of funds to the Waikaremoana Hapu Restoration Trust for an electric fence unit on the Puketukutuku peninsular, ( Kiwi preservation). Donation of a woodshed for the Panekiri Hut, Donation of $40,000 to the upgrade of the Waikareiti Day Shelter.
