Volunteering activities

Volunteer activities include protecting our incredible kauri forests, removing invasive plants, planting native species and more. There’s lots of variety which means one day you could be doing work to protect one of Auckland’s awesome beaches, and the next replanting native trees to restore an urban stream.

Sharing with others

If you’re interested we’d love to inspire your creativity as well, as we develop resources to encourage people everywhere to get planting our future native forests, and share the Wild Heart Project vision. Video, Instagram feeds, and simple conservation how-to-guides are just the beginning of what’s possible.

Evenings

In the evening there’s time to relax with your fellow volunteers. Accommodation and food is provided, with everyone joining in at mealtimes. There’s also a small organic veggies garden you can work in, and harvest from for part of your evening meal.

Your guide

Our guides are people who love to share their passion for nature and conservation. As well as being your guide for the various conservation activities, they’ll take time to tell you more about this special place, its unique nature, and ways we can look after it. During the week your guide will introduce you to the project, work with you on your volunteering projects, and share with you their knowledge about conservation and the region.

Accommodation

Your accommodation is in a home in Titirangi, in Auckland. You’ll stay in a bunkroom with mattress and pillows provided. There’s full shower, bathroom and laundry facilities. Titirangi is bordered to the south by Manukau Harbour, while to the West and North West are the native forest clad hills of the Waitakere Ranges.

Other activities

Volunteer activities take place 8.30am - 4.00pm Monday to Friday. You can spend your free time exploring Auckland and its many beaches and parks. A day trip to Rangitoto Island is otherworldly. Rangitoto is a dormant volcano that emerged from the ocean only 500 years ago, with unique biodiversity and many beautiful huts ion the waters edge. Auckland is known as the city of volcanoes with both Maungawhau (Mount Eden) and One Tree Hill in Cornwall Park are great places to explore.

Getting there

Pick up at our Auckland City Office on Monday morning is included. The address is 10 New North Road, Auckland 1021. We’ll also drop you off the following Friday at 3pm. We’ll send you full details of where to meet when you book, and also details for those with a vehicle wanting to meet at our accommodation base in Titirangi.

Don’t stop!

Volunteers can book multiple weeks in either one project, or get involved in a number of projects around the country.

Who can volunteer?

Everyone aged 18 and over! We have people from all walks of life, and both kiwis and people from all around the world volunteering. It’s a great opportunity to make a real difference, and get to know others who are also into nature and conservation. People aged 17 and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

How long is each day’s volunteering?

Your guide will pick you up from your accommodation around 8.30am, and take you to the project site in our minivans. We always stop for a morning tea break as well as lunch around 1pm. We finish up for the day around 4pm, and bring you back to your accommodation. If we’re passing a great spot, we’ll often stop and explore.

How physical are the activities?

This varies, however every activity has a range of tasks, so everyone can find something that suits their level of fitness. We also make sure there’s time every day to connect with nature and listen to the birds!

How many people will be in our group?

The maximum size of our volunteering projects is 10 volunteers. Past volunteers say one of the best parts of the experience was getting to really know each other and their guide, and we’ve found limiting the group size really helps this.

Can I extend how long I volunteer for once I’ve started?