Week 6, Southland

My last week of work. We spent last week at Sinclair wetlands and the weekend in the Catlins. Our last week was in Southland; on our way form Owaka to Southland, we made various stops on the way, many of which were waterfalls. One of the waterfalls was New Zealands very own Niagara falls. Not quite as good as the real thing.
We also visited nuget point in Okowa. Apparently you can see whales and penguins of the coast but sods law meant that we saw nothing but sea and seals.

This week we have been working in Waituna wetlands which in Maori, means WaterEel wetlands. We've spent most of the week planting trees, but have also been wading to catch some native fish in one of the rivers. We caught some trought, eel and fresh water cray fish. We've also been weeding and maintaining the footpaths around the wetlands. Our most inportant job this week was building a toilet in the wetlands for the 'Tourists'.

This week i have a week off and i'm spending the majority of my week in Queenstown. I've got alot of activities booked including one bungie jump. It's going to be a good week!

Week 5 (Otago/ Owaka)

This week we have been back in Sinclair wetlands. It was different from the last time we were down here, firstly because it had been hot an sunny all week as opose to heavy downpours and secondly, we did some very different work. We did all the usual stuff like planting and weeding, but this time, Johnny (the manager, who helped up out) took us to help with tailing some of his lambs, which was fun and also to slaughter some of his sheep. Only half of us went to do this because the other half of the group chickened out. I personall helped skin one of the sheep and we brought back the heart and liver for the rest of the volunteers, it didn't go down very well. Personally i didn't enjoy it either but i didn't let on.

We are travelling to Southland for next week and decided to stay for the weekend in the Catlins at Owaka. There is a beach right next to our accomodation but its a bit cold for swimming. We also went to Nugget Point today where you can supposidly see penguins and whales of the coast, we wern't so lucky, only managed to see some seals and got caught on the ridge in a hail storm. All in all, a good week. I think the warm weather is on its way.

Last day in Punakaiki

Last night was our official last night at the pub so we went a bit over the top on the drinks. We had a few games of pool and kept the pub open for a few more hours than normal.
As expected, we were unable to get out of bed for half of today, but when we did manage to get up we decided once again to go to the Truman track. When we were in the pub, Chippy (one of the locals) told us about a cave a few coves along the beach, with some maori aftifacts in them. It was a struggle to get there as we had to do some rock climbing, walk through some bush and sqeeze ourselfs in a few tight spots.To make it even more difficult we had to time it right so we wouldn't get stranded by the tide.

I was hoping to get an early night tonight because we have to get up at 6am tomorrow to go to Otago. That plan went out the window because there was a rugby league final on so naturally we had to go to the pub to watch it, anyway its a 12 hour drive tomorrow so there'll be chance to sleep in the minibus!

Last weekend in Punakaiki

Every week we usuall retreat back to Punakaiki for the weekend. This is our last weekend here however because next week we are working in Otago and then at Southland the following week so we will be staying down there for the weekend.

We thought we'd make the most of it and decided to have a go at hitch hiking, it worked a treat and we managed to get a lift 1.7km up the road to the Truman track, its been a hot day and the last time we went there it rained so we thought we'd take a dip under the waterfall. It was freezing.

Unfortunately we wern't able to get a ride back but we came home via the beach and spent a few hours making and lighting a fire. This time we remember our bugspray so the sandflies didn't bite.

In our time off in Punakaiki we've visited the Blow holes,  Pancake rocks and the Punakaiki cavern.

On Monday we'll be getting up at 6am to go down to Otago which means that tonight will be our last night at the tavern. Everyones coming down and we're going to make the most of it, the only problem is that VAT went up yesterday and the beer has become more expensive. You win some, you loose some.

Week 4 (Karamea)

Last week we were further north of the West coast in a town called Karamea. It was another remote town with a population of 650, the locals call it the end of the road because there isn't a road going through it. On our first day of work we were welcomed by a guy called George who gave us a welcome speech in Maori, something about being at one with the wind and the mountains. Another of the locals called Hamish translated the speech (it definitely sounded better in Maori). When it wasn't raining were working in an area along the estuary and on the beach. We helped to maintain one of the paths along the estuary and made a new track through about 200 metres of gorse. As usual we planted more trees, about 600 this week. All along this West Coast has had very heavy rainfall this September and on our last day of work we had the heaviest rain yet and there was alot of flooding. We were unable to work outside so went to two of the local volunteers house (Hamish and Margaret). We spent the day collecting seedlings from there land and potting them up in the Nursery to enable that they could grow to a good size before being replanted at the reserve. Hamish and Margaret owned 7 acres of land where they grew organic veg, reared sheep and had a tea tree plantation which they made tea tree oil. We were give a bottle each when we left which was useful as I've been bitten about 22 times by sandflys.

In our spare time we also visited some natural limestone arches that were in the middle of some forest, they were the biggest natural arches in the southern hemisphere. We also went caving and saw some glow-worms and some interesting landforms.

We are back in Punakaiki for the weekend and will be heading furter south next week to Otago and will be doing some work at Sinclair wetlands. Only two more weeks left of work in NZ until i get a week off and head to Australia.