The proposed Camp Kiwi conference and educational facilities at Admirals Bay on Whangaruru Harbour. Photo / Supplied
The proposed Camp Kiwi conference and educational facilities at Admirals Bay on Whangaruru Harbour. Photo / Supplied
Admirals Bay is a name most Northlanders instantly recognise but a conservation trust is ensuring the site on Whangaruru Harbour's north head earns a special place on the map.
It is where Camp Kiwi, an innovative, ambitious $1 million-$2 million environmental education and conference complex is planned on land leasedfrom Department of Conservation. Admirals is the next bay along from DoC's Puriri Bay campground, at the end of the road past Bland Bay.
A native tree replanting programme is under way on the one-time farmed land on the large DoC reserve straddling the headland and inside a predator controlled kiwi zone. The area also contains walking tracks that go through native forest and ridgelines before dropping down into secluded bays.
Next Sunday, a planting session that the organisers hope will be well supported by the public should see about 2000 native tree seedlings added to the 2,400 planted at Camp Kiwi at Queens Birthday Weekend last year. Trustee Clea Gardiner is asking people to bring a spade, gumboots, gloves and sunscreen, and, for catering purposes, register their interest beforehand.
While the project is in its early planting days, the spirit of Camp Kiwi will be to embody the birds, the people and the place in one unforgettable experience, Ms Gardiner said.
The planned buildings and programmes will be set up for school, corporate, community and family groups, as well as individuals. High-tech wizardry will work alongside traditional streams to tell the environmental and cultural story of the area's past, present and future.
The buildings will eventually include accommodation options from hostel style to chalets. It will not be a public camping ground, such as the adjacent DoC one at Puriri Bay.
The group behind Camp Kiwi, Blue Orb is dedicated to enabling a greater understanding of the environment and culture through the use of new technology.
