Symposium field trips

1. Western Bay of Plenty & Hobbiton

We will head to Maketu Estuary which is recognised for its high cultural and ecological values. The significant river rediversion and estuary enhancement project will be discussed, along with weeds such as spartina that are currently being controlled here.

We will learn about invasive woolly nightshade weed and the lacebug that was released to control it. Lunch will be at the Waihi Gold Mine discovery center. We will then head to the scenic Karangahake Gorge for a walk past beautiful scenery and old gold mining remnants including disused mining tunnels. We will also learn about pest plants (Japanese Honeysuckle and Tradescantia) and their associated biocontrol agents found here.

The last stop for the day is at Hobbiton where you will enjoy a tour of the movie set from the Lord of the Rings franchise followed by dinner on site.

Disclaimer- this trip will incur additional costs for the Lord of the Rings tour & dinner.

2. Waikato Weeds, Waitomo & Witch-kings

Enjoy a day of exploration through the Waikato province. There will be stops along the way to see biocontrol agents, invasive weeds and beautiful scenery.

We will visit Te Waihou blue springs to meet the local Kaitiaki for a korero about their relationship with the land and restoration principles.

We will stop for an extended lunch at the Waitomo Café. You will have time to either book a tour through the magical Waitomo Glowworm Cave or just relax at the café and socialise. The last stop for the day is at Hobbiton where you will enjoy a tour of the movie set from the Lord of the Rings franchise followed by dinner on site.

Disclaimer- this trip will incur additional costs for Waitomo Caves glowworm tour and Lord of the Rings tour & dinner. Witch-King may not actually be seen at Hobbiton. Visit to Te Waihou is still to be confirmed.

3. Tongariro National Park – UNESCO World Heritage Site

We will head to the stunning Tongariro National Park, which was the first site in the world to be inscribed on the World Heritage list describing cultural landscapes. The three mountains at the heart of this park have strong cultural significance to the Māori people and symbolize the spiritual links between this community and its environment.

We will learn about heather, which has been invading this National Park for over 100 years, and the heather beetle which was released to target this invasive weed. In recent years heather beetle outbreaks have caused spectacular damage to wide areas of heather in this area.

En route to and from Tongariro National Park we will travel past the picturesque Great Lake Taupō, which is the largest lake in New Zealand. Stopping to visit a community-led environmental restoration project that is controlling a range of pest plants by a range of methods and replanting native species. We will also visit a geothermal site to learn about the rare native plants that grow in this hostile environment, and pest plants which are negatively impacting these sites and how they are being managed.

4. Rotorua Lakes & Geothermal Hot Pools

We will head to picturesque Lake Tarawera to view one of the worst infestations of invasive Old Man’s Beard in the Bay of Plenty region. Biocontrol agents released to control this weed and their impact to date will be discussed. Other pest plants and related biocontrol agents found here including Japanese Honeysuckle and tradescantia will also be discussed. A community-led restoration project will be visited, which offers views across the lake to Mount Tarawera which erupted in 1886.

Next stop is Lake Rotoiti for a scenic boat cruise. Invasive catfish biocontrol attempts and options will be discussed, along with the suite of submerged aquatic weeds found in the Rotorua lakes. Control options for these invasive species will be discussed, including the innovative hand-woven uwhi mat trial, which is a joint venture with a local Māori organization. The aim of this trial is to smother invasive aquatic weeds in this lake.

Final stop will be the Lake Rotoiti geothermal hot pools which are only accessible by boat, for a relaxing soak. Those not wanting to visit the hot pools will have alternative options available.

Disclaimer- this trip will incur additional costs for the boat cruise and hot pools.

5. Forestry Weeds & Mount Tarawera

Experience the history and unique landscape that is Mount Tarawera. This mountain erupted on June 10th, 1886, and destroyed New Zealand’s “wonder of the world” at the time – the legendary Pink and White Terraces but left behind a stunning geothermal landscape.

We will meet local guides and split up into 4WD vehicles and enter commercial pine forests. The guides will share the challenging experience of keeping wilding Pinus contorta from reinvading the volcanic cone. P. contorta are no longer grown commercially in New Zealand but the unwelcome legacy from their early trials in New Zealand forests remains within the soil seed bank. You will experience a P. radiata (native to California, USA) forest and view Heather infestations. If the weather permits, we will journey up Mount Tarawera to the crater edge with its 360° panoramic views and unmatched scenic vistas and you will learn about the history of the area. It is ideal for all ages and includes an optional scree run down into the heart of the volcanic crater for those with tough footwear and a sense of adventure! This experience is weather dependent. In the rain some views maybe compromised, and we will not hike the crater in high winds.

In the afternoon we will drive through Kaingaroa Forest (largest plantation forest in the southern hemisphere) where we will see the competition that newly planted Pinus radiata trees face against weeds including Buddleia, Pampas, Himalayan Honeysuckle and Blackberry, and learn about the success of Cleopus japonicus against Buddleia weed and the Broom Gall Mite against the rampant Scotch Broom.

Wet weather/ high wind Option:

A tour of Scion – the NZ Forest Research Institute and Invertebrate Containment facility tour, Rotorua. Coffee or tea can be purchased in the café there before we leave for Kaingaroa Forest weeds drive where we will see the competition that newly planted P. radiata trees face against weeds including Buddleia, Pampas, Himalayan Honeysuckle and Blackberry, and learn about the success of the Buddleia biocontrol programme and the Broom Gall Mite infestation.

In the afternoon our vehicles will stop at a geothermal mud pool for a free photo opportunity and up-close view of Blackberry Infestations, particularly challenging in the geothermal environment.

Please note Numbers are limited for this trip.