Overnight Conservation on Matiu/Somes Island 🏝️💚 (October)

The Karobusters are looking for fresh blood to join them at Matiu/Somes Island for a weekend of sweeping through weeds, maintaining numerous planting sites through clearing debris around small delicate plants, and possibly visiting neighboring islands. You will also spot wildlife like tuatara and penguins. You will be given training, shown examples, and we will be paired up with an experienced person.

We will meet at the Queen’s Wharf ferry terminal on Saturday morning to catch the first East By West ferry. Then we'll return on Sunday on the last ferry. Hutt residents can either join the team at Wellington or catch the ferry from Days Bay, returning there late on Sunday. We will stay overnight in one of the houses, which is fully equipped with cooking utensils, cutlery, fridge, stove and oven, heat pump, showers, mattresses and pillows. DOC pays for the ferry and provides a barbecue Saturday evening meal and the Sunday breakfast. DOC also provides all the equipment, such as tools, protective clothing, and gives a safety briefing before we start work. 

What To Bring:

• Normal clothing as well as a set of thermals to wear under overalls
• A sleeping bag
• Pillowcase
• Torch ((a red light is needed for penguin & tuatara spotting)
• Tramping or trail type boots are essential
• Ensure that all your gear is clean with no mud or plant material (check your pockets and Velcro fasteners) This will speed up the bio-security check when we land on the island.

This is also not an one-off event, they do multiple volunteering events at Matiu/Somes Island throughout the year as a group. Here are the dates of the Karobusters:

2025

• Oct 18-19
• Nov 15-16
• Nov 29-30
• Dec 6-7 Spare if a previous weekend lost due to weather

2026

• Jan 31- Feb 1
• Feb 21-22
• Mar 7-8
• Apr 18-19
• May 2-3 Spare if a previous weekend lost due to weather

There's a twist to this trip, they are looking for people to join across one or more of the upcoming trips! Big one-off groups to the island are no longer happening as they are hard to manage for the organisers. Once you signup please reach out to me at baldwinjankiewiczliam@gmail.com or conservation@vuwtc.org.nz and express your interests for specific dates (!Email me only after you signed up!). One-off participation is welcome but I will prioritise those who are willing to do more than one. Once you've done that I'll put you in contact with the organiser and send a detailed overview and a link of their facebook group. You will then be able to join the trip and many others like this in the future!

FYI, emails sent to me first will be put into the confirmation process group first. I will not account for your position on the waiting list. Priority is given to those willing to do more than one trip as well! There is an limited number the Karobusters can bring, around 6 or less.