On 14 March Te Araroa walkers joined forces with Mackenzie locals to cut down wilding pines and protect the indigenous tussock grasslands and ancient glacial outwash plains of the Pukaki Flats Conservation Area, near Twizel. 

Huge thanks go to Wilding Free Mackenzie for organising the day and everyone who came to help protect this precious landscape.

“It was fantastic to team up with the Te Araroa Trail Trust and get so many TA walkers together with the Twizel community to help protect our precious local landscape from wilding pines, and maintain a section of the stunning TA Trail for everyone to enjoy. We had through walkers, section walkers, kiwis from other regions, and walkers from other countries too! I look forward to doing it all again next season and giving walkers the opportunity to give back as they enjoy the Mackenzie section of the trail.”   

Haeleigh Turner, Wilding Free Mackenzie

“I finished hiking the South Island portion of Te Araroa and happened to be in the area on the day of the volunteering event. For me, it felt great to close my Te Araroa journey by giving something back to the trail and the local environment. It was amazing to see how much we could accomplish in just one morning, although there are still many more pines to cut!”

– Annemarie, Te Araroa walker

Learn more about the wilding pine problem and the work of Wilding Free Mackenzie.