Growing conservation habits

HAUL: Some of the medals Kiwi Guardians receive. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Local kids are getting a dose of conservation in the form of falcons, bellbirds, nikau palms and tawa trees all thanks to Toyota and the Department of Conservation.

Toyota Kiwi Guardians is a range of free, family friendly treasure hunt style activities targeted at young ones, to encourage them to engage with the outdoors and turn them into guardians of the land and sea.

Manawatu boasts three of the 52 sites nationwide - Te Apiti in the Manawatu Gorge, Bruce Park and Gordon Park near Whanganui.

A map and list of activities for each location is available on the website.

Each DoC site requires participants to find a Guardian post that displays a special code word. The code is then applied on the website to receive a Kiwi Guardian participation medal.

Toyota New Zealand CEO Alistair Davis says his company is passionate about giving the next generation experiences that allow them to grow up with good conservation habits.

"Like DoC, Toyota is passionate about making it easy for families to have great experiences in our national parks and reserves.

"Toyota Kiwi Guardians is about inspiring tomorrow's leaders to protect our flora and fauna."

Kiwi Guardians was launched in March last year and saw nearly 1500 children take part nationwide during the last school holidays.

The Manawatu Gorge was listed as one of the top five hotspots in the country.

There are plans for 10 additional sites across the nation by the time April school holidays arrive, with the aim to increase Kiwi children's connection with the natural world.

Children are also able to participate in conservation at home, with seven activities that can be completed in your own backyard.

"We are excited to be working with DoC on a project that encourages Kiwi kids to conserve our natural environment and have fun doing it," Mr Davis says.

Visit kiwiguardians.co.nz for more information, maps and to claim medals.