Project Tongariro is a member of Environment Hubs Aotearoa (EHA) which is an umbrella organisation for 18 Environment Centres throughout New Zealand who create thriving, resilient and sustainable communities, making our future a better place for everyone.
EHA members upskill, educate, insulate, energise, inform, plant, weed, trap, recycle, fix, rescue food and divert waste throughout their communities. They work to inspire and enable Kiwis to improve their lives and create a thriving and sustainable Aotearoa.
For more information visit: www.environmenthubs.nz
We are here to help you connect with other community groups
We welcome ideas for new projects and sponsorship initiatives so if you have something in mind, please get in touch, we would love to hear from you!
Central Plateau Community Groups
Advocates for the Tongariro River
The Advocates for the Tongariro River are a community group made up of people passionate about the river. Our aim is to speak out for the Tongariro River and promote ways to look after the river so that it is here for all to enjoy in the years to come.
Contact: secretary@tongariroriver.org.nz
Bike Taupō is a cycling advocacy group, which was formalised in October 2002 to create a community representation for Taupō cyclists. Since then, Bike Taupō has also taken on the building tracks and maintaining tracks across the Taupō region. Our members use bikes for transport, pleasure and to stay healthy. We aim to support cyclists in every way, all the time.
Contact: admin@biketaupo.org.nz
Blue Duck Charitable Trust Project
The Blue Duck Project Charitable Trust was set up by Tongariro River Rafting and Parklands Motorlodge in 2008 with the aim of increasing the number of Blue Ducks on the Tongariro River. Our work involves trapping introduced pests that kill Blue Ducks, primarily stoats, weasels and rats.
Contact: garth@blueduckproject.co.nz
Taupō-based Dave Cade, commonly known as 'Didymo Dave' is so passionate about freshwater biosecurity, pest control and conservation. Dave is a tireless promoter of the Check, Clean, Dry campaign to stop the transfer of freshwater pests and prevent the introduction of new ones.
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/didymo.dave
Ethical Waste Ohakune Tip Shop
Ethical Waste is a social and environmental enterprise business that is working with the Ruapehu district to reach their target of “Zero Waste by 2040”. We are transforming the Waimarino transfer station into a Resource Recovery Center with an awesome secondhand store that contains items that were destined for landfill.
Contact: sam@ethicalwaste.co.nz
Forest & Bird is New Zealand’s leading independent conservation organisation, protecting wildlife and wild places, on land and in the sea.
Contact: taupo.branch@forestandbird.org.nz
Enhancing bird life with pest control on the Waikato River between Taupō and Aratiatia Dam and in Craters Mountain Bike Park.
Kaimanawa Wild Horse Preservation Society
Kaimanawa Wild Horse Preservation Society (KWHPS) was formed in April 1994 to promote the preservation and protection of the Kaimanawa Wild Horses both in the wild and domesticity.
Contact: https://www.facebook.com/KWHPS1994/
The Kinloch Community Association (KCA) has a volunteer committee that works to help connect Kinloch’s community and communicate what’s happening in Kinloch.
Contact: kinlochcommunity@gmail.com
During the Kiwi Forever programme, students live on the Tirorangi marae with representatives from Ngāti Rangi who guide them on a local learning journey. Students gain knowledge about Mātauranga Māori, experience a range of hands-on conservation activities and develop their leadership communication skills in teams. They are encouraged to experience environmental sustainability in a holistic way, guided by manaakitanga (generosity), aroha (love) and kaitiakitanga (guardianship for the environment).
Contact: kiwiforever@tongariro.org.nz
Lakes and Waterways Action Group
Lakes and Waterways Action Group Trust (LWAG) is a community-based advocacy group focused on water quality, environmental and sustainability issues for the Lake Taupō Catchment.
Contact: info@lakesandwaterwaystaupo.org.nz
Restoration, weeding and planting along the Makotuku River Walkway in Raetihi.
Contact:
journeaux@inspire.net.nz
Mangaehuehu Scenic Reserve
Rangataua Restoration
Trapping Group
Installation, maintenance and monitoring of trap lines to protect the ecologically significant bush remnant at Mangaehuehu Scenic Reserve, near Rangataua.
Contact: Predator Free Ohakune
Mangawhero River Walkway
Restoration; weeding, native tree planting and fundraising to work to enhance the Mangawhero River Walkway in Ohakune
Contact:
Robert Milne: ed@ruapehubulletin.co.nz
Jon King: joking_ohakune@windowslive.com
New Zealand Deerstalkers Association
The Taupō Deerstalkers’ Club was established on 20th May 1957. We are a local branch of the NZDA, the national body that represents and speaks for recreational hunters and aims to protect hunting for future generations.
Contact: information@nzdataupo.org.nz
New Zealand Motor Caravan Association
The New Zealand Motor Caravan Association Inc (NZMCA) is a membership based organisation representing the interests of private motorhome and caravan owners in New Zealand.
Contact: members@nzmca.org.nz
Omori Kuratau Pest Management Group
The Omori Kuratau Pest Management Group is a Pest Management Group based in Omori Kuratau Sth Western Lake Taupō, dedicated to bringing back the birds and bringing back the bush.
Contact: sspub@reap.org.nz
Our group’s mission is to protect and enhance the environment of the Ohinetonga Reserve, Whakapapa River and Owhango village for the benefit of the native flora and fauna and the enjoyment of locals and visitors.
Contact:
Chairperson: Mark Fredericks, 027 5734359.
Email: owhangoalive@yahoo.com
Postal address: CMB 16, Owhango 3990.
Seeking to encourage and support trapping along the Mangawhero River Walkway, Jubilee Park Walkway and offer advice and encouragement to anybody keen to get into backyard trapping.
Contact: ed@ruapehu Bulletin
Pukawa Wildlife Management Trust
The Pukawa Wildlife Management Trust was established in 2002 to improve birdlife in and around the Pukawa settlement on the southwestern shore of Lake Taupō.
Contact: pukawawmt@gmail.com
The Rangataua Community Hub is a volunteer led initiative working in parallel with the Hall Committee to enhance and transform the village with native plant life, a local, family and pet friendly reserve and tourist attracting natural beauty.
Contact: rangatauacommunityhub@gmail.com
Central North Island Sika Foundation
Established in 2015, the Central North Island Sika Foundation’s main objective is to facilitate more active management of the Sika herd to provide enhanced benefits to hunters and to ensure longer term sustainability of the habitats in which they live. The Sika herd is one of New Zealand’s most iconic hunting resources. In recognition of this, the Foundation supports & enables partnerships between recreational hunters, Mana Whenua and stakeholders to help achieve and maintain consistent, appropriate harvest levels of healthy Sika through better coordination of the recreational Sika hunting effort, as well as additional harvest effort where this is required. They also work on increasing the understanding of the Sika herd through careful monitoring, information sharing and education, and have initiated a range of community and conservation projects in the region.
Contact: Tim Maule, Project Manager
Phone: 027 542 8712
Email: tim@sikafoundation.co.nz
Reuse shop selling good quality, useful household items and other materials that would otherwise have gone to landfill. Proceeds support the community.
Contact: emily.jasmine@ruapehudc.govt.nz
The Taupō Fishing Club promotes recreational freshwater and saltwater fishing to people of all ages and abilities. It is a great way for beginners to become involved and learn to fish, or for experienced anglers to meet other anglers.
Contact: taupofc@gmail.com
The Taupō Mountain Bike Club runs frequent events in Craters Mountain Bike Park located in the Wairakei Forest. TMTBC's Mission: is to promote, facilitate, encourage and develop Mountain Biking in the Taupō region.
Contact: taupomtb@gmail.com
The Taupō Tramping Club tramp twice a week on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with the occasional weekend or multiday tramp, in the Central North Island and elsewhere. Enjoy a day out with us in our amazing tramping region of mountains, bush, tussock, rivers and lakes.
Contact: davejill376@gmail.
Te Pae o Waimihia is a Forest Hapu Cluster Trust representing six Ngāti Tūwharetoa hapū - Ngāti Rauhoto, Ngāti Te Urunga, Ngāti Hineure, Ngāti Hinerau, Ngāti Tutetawha, and Ngāti Tutemohuta. It is our mission “To protect and grow the assets of the trust to support the intergenerational aspirations, wellbeing and cultural tikanga of the hapū of Te Pae o Waimihia”
Contact: admin@heakina.co.nz
The purpose of Tidy Taupō is to encourage communities in the Taupō district to keep their environment free from litter and rubbish. It starts with individuals picking up rubbish instead of walking past it and expecting someone else to do it.
Tongariro National Trout Centre Society
The Society are a voluntary organisation made of passionate individuals that support our freshwater kaupapa by providing a place for our younger generation to understand, respect and enjoy our great outdoors by introducing them to the joy of fly fishing.
Contact: hello@troutcentre.com
Waipahihi Botanical Society Incorporated
Waipahihi Botanical Reserve is the jewel in the crown of Taupō. As you walk the many paths, you will find beautiful NZ native trees, over 2000 rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias, and other exotic trees and shrubs.
Contact: waipahihibotanical@gmail.com
The concept behind the Repair Café, is to help people who wanted to save their items from the landfill while bringing back a culture of fixing rather than throwing.
The repair Café is proudly mde possible by Project Tongariro, Volunteer Great Lake Taupō, Bike Taupō, Taupō Timebank, and Taupō Climate Action.