Kawatiri Nature Environment & Communities Trust

05/10/2026

Head out on the Kawatiri Coastal Trail this spring and it won't be long before you encounter flowering hebes and flourishing harakeke (flax).

This is thanks to the work of the Kawatiri Coastal Trail, KNECT, our trustee Jo Howard, and a dedicated team of Buller Conservation Volunteers working on the Kūkūwai Reserve Ecological Restoration project. Since 2023, we have been working together to restore the remnant kahikatea forest and saltmarsh ecosystem. Working alongside schools, community groups, landowners, partner organisations and individuals, the project has already seen more than 15,000 native seedlings planted and maintained across the Reserve.

This is only the first step, and the project will soon grow to support more planting, pest management, and predator trapping throughout the Buller River Catchment and further along the trail.

If that's not enough, Jo even put her own money in to sponsor the third kilometre, and KNECT is supporting kilometre four. This wonderful community asset is only going to get better, and that's thanks to so many hardworking volunteers and organisations. As the seasons change, we hope you can get out to enjoy it.

If you'd like to get involved with this, or other KNECT projects, you can register your interest here:

https://knect.org.nz/volunteer/

21/09/2026

Thanks to some awesome mahi from our Trustees and volunteers, The Nurture School has a fully completed boardwalk.

This lowers our impact on the bush and environment, while keeping our busy path from becoming muddy and boggy (no wet feet for our tamariki!) and enables better access to our yurt. It's a great outcome for everyone.

16/07/2026

A cool wee KNECT project that is available for everyone!

New walking and cycling trails around Gentle Annie Campground in Mokihinui are shaping up, with some parts open and free already.

01/07/2026

We’ve been selected from more than 800 organisations for Ma Earth’s latest funding round.

We’re looking for donations from our community that will be matched and amplified through MA Earth’s innovative quadratic funding model. That sounds complicated, but all it means is the more community funds we raise and the more people that contirbute, the more money Ma Earth kicks in…

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us reach more people and unlock additional matching funds.

You can check out our fundraising page, and please share with your networks. All the money raised will go directly back into our projects and community.

“I feel like I picked up a different child today. Never in any of my kids’ schooling has a pickup been like this. My child was absolutely beaming… so eager...

01/07/2026

Trees and stakes on site at Kūkūwai Reserve (thanks DOC) for our community planting day this Sunday. Or if it’s torrential, the following Sunday 12 July. Bring gumboots, spades/shovels, gloves, drinks and snacks!

30/06/2026

The Nurture School now has a covered deck!!! Amazing mahi and thanks to Weasel and Paul Comeskey for their help in finishing this yesterday!

27/06/2026

Great mahi by the West Coast Catchment Programme !

The Kawatiri Catchment Group has delivered some awesome results thanks to the backing of our farmers, landowners, community and local businesses.
A huge thank you to NBS Kawatiri Nature Environment & Communities Trust Shortjaw for your support in turning plans into real action on the ground!

18/06/2026

At the excellent Growing Native Forests workshop in Kawatiri tonight listening to some great ideas and mahi being undertaken around our rohe. Thanks Te Uru Rākau New Zealand Forest Service

12/06/2026

Some warmth finally for The Nurture School yurt!!! Great timing when things are getting a wee bit chilly!