Trip intentions

Lewis and I want to visit a southern alps ice plateau. Likely to be the Olivine plateau in Aspiring but other possibilities are the Gardens of Eden and Allah from the west coast, or Ngapunatoro in Fiordland.

Exact dates TBC within this range, depends on keenness and weather. Could be up to 10 days for an Olivines trip.

Open to any fit trampers who have done a snowcraft. Will bring ropes, harness ect for glacier travel but we can run you through that, we won't go anywhere with insane crevasses.

VUWTC partners with Sustainable Coastlines to clear rubbish from Opau Bay near Mākara. We then count it all up to help scientists and pressure decision-makers. Along the way there'll be plenty of yarns and laughs. You'll get gloves and funky pink fluoro at the beach (to stay safe and stylish)!

1. We'll meet at the Hunter carpark at Kelburn campus at 10am

We'll sort out car groups and split up survey gear.

2. Drive to Mākara Beach carpark (arrive there about 10:30am)

DRIVERS!!! We need people to get us there, with no Mākara bus. Drivers will be reimbursed for fuel costs.

3. Walking time!

Trek over Mākara hill down to Opau Bay (1-1.5hrs). This is an easy-medium walk, with a STEEP bit at the beginning, a flat bit in the middle, and then a meander downhill to the beach. We'll pass old military bunkers, windmills, sheep, cows, and great views. If we get a clear day, the South Island will be visible!

4. We pick up rubbish!! (about 1:30pm)

We will set up a 100m x 20m area and collect all the rubbish inside. Equipment provided: gloves, funky pink fluoro, sacks, mallet! There'll be a health and safety briefing, then we'll search for 1-1.5 hours.

5. We walk back to the cars via the coast!

We'll return to Mākara by walking across the rocky beach. There's a nice cafe and playground by the carpark ;)

6. Return to uni for sorting! (about 3-3:30pm)

The thing that sets this collection apart from regular beach cleanups is its scientific purpose.

We'll sort, weigh, and log all the rubbish. This goes into an online database to help map Aotearoa's plastic pollution. This might sound boring, but it's actually super fun. We should be done by 5-6pm.

What to bring:

• Lunch and snacks for yourself

• A big drink bottle (full please!!!)

• Warm and windproof layers, PLEASE have sleeves and long pants to reduce the chance of injury

• IMPORTANT: Sturdy closed toe footwear, as we'll walk over pebbles and driftwood to collect the rubbish (PLEASE NO crocs/sandals/jandals etc.)

• Sun smart gear, like sunscreen/hat/sunglasses

• Hand sanitiser

More info on Sustainable Coastlines

Mākara walk info: https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/wellington-kapiti/places/makara-beach-area/things-to-do/makara-walkway/

This week (Tuesday 14th Jan): The Soundshell, Botanic Gardens (101 Glenmore Street, Kelburn, Wellington 6012)

The Welly Botanic Gardens host a special series of outdoor concerts during January. So we're having a special musical picnic meeting!

Meet at the Soundshell from 6pm onwards. We'll grab a spot on the lawn in advance, with a warm-up act at 7pm and the main performance at 8pm. while we enjoy some tunes at the Garden Magic concert. After the music ends at 9:15pm there's a free light show in the Botans you can explore if you like.

7pm – Tom Knowles | Reggae, Roots, All ages,

singalong classics

8pm – The Side Characters | Pop, Jazz,

Funk, Indie

Bring picnic snacks/dinner, drinks, blankets, and warm clothing.

MORE INFO: https://wellington.govt.nz/news-and-events/events-and-festivals/gardens-magic

Come along to this working bee in Kelburn and help out Kelburn Conservation Network at Pukehinau Reserve.

The meeting spot is at the top of the steps leading into Pukehinau Reserve (117 Kelburn Parade). Everybody is welcome to come, you do not need any previous experience. Tools are not provided by Kelburn Conservation Network, so bring a digging tool and some gloves if you can. It will only be 2 hours and will end with some nice afternoon tea. Bring clothes you don't mind getting dirty and some sturdy footwear. Tom Goodman will be hosting the event, this is simply an advertisement to anyone interested in doing conservation work this Sunday. 

Cancellation due to unideal weather will be advised by email during the morning on cleanup day. 

Meeting spot on google maps