Credit - Jenny Enderby
Reconnecting for Nature - Kōtuituia Anō mō te Taiao
This theme celebrates the opportunity to get together after nearly three years and reconnect over our shared passion – Nature!
The Programme
The Gathering will start on the evening of Friday 25 November with registration and a chance to catch up over drinks and nibbles and hear updates from Forest & Bird CE Nicola Toki, and President Mark Hanger.
On Saturday 26 November, we will hear from a range of expert speakers including Rod Oram, Matt Maitland, Margaret Stanley, and National Office staff, followed by soapbox sessions where branches will have an opportunity to update us on what’s going on in their area, and a Te Tiriti o Waitangi workshop run by Aroha Gilling. A short film on Tāwharanui will finish the day and prepare you for Sunday’s field trip.
On Saturday evening, dinner and entertainment will be at your own pleasure but there’s lots to choose from - we recommend you try one of our fantastic local venues (see our recommendations in the Food and Drink section below).
On Sunday morning we will hold a field trip to Tāwharanui to see the first sanctuary to combine revegetation, farming & recreation, followed by a BBQ lunch in the woolshed.
Registration Fee
Registration will be $110pp, which includes all sessions; drinks & nibbles on Friday; morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea on Saturday; the Sunday morning field trip, and a BBQ lunch on Sunday.
Registration will be confirmed on receipt of payment. Registrations will close on Friday 18 November 2022.
Food & Drink
Friday night dinks and nibbles, morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea on Saturday, and a BBQ lunch on Sunday are included in the registration fee.
Below are some of the local venues we recommend you might like to consider for Saturday evening:
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The Matakana Village Pub
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8 Wired Brewing – Barrelworks & Taproom
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Leigh Sawmill Café
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One (or more) of the many local vineyards
Local recommendations
Some other local sites you may like to visit while you are in the area are:
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Snells Beach
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Omaha Beach to spot dotterels and godwits
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Goat Island - NZ’s first marine reserve
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Get up early for the Matakana Saturday morning farmers’ market
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Kauri Park, Warkworth
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Kowhai Park and Sesquicentennial Walkway (Warkworth branch projects)
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Omaio - a garden of national significance
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Matakana Village Cinema complex
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Morris & James - vibrant pottery
Accommodation and travel
There is a good selection of accommodation providers in and around Matakana, including campgrounds, B&B, Airbnb, and hotels. We must emphasise early booking for accommodation as Matakana is often a popular destination.
For those intending to fly home/connect with other transport from Auckland on Sunday, we recommend allowing several hours’ travel time (or booking a flexi ticket) due to the potential for heavy traffic back into Auckland on Sunday afternoons.
For those intending to fly into Auckland, we will investigate shared transport options between Auckland airport and Matakana (Friday afternoon and Sunday early evening). Please indicate on the registration form if you would utilise this option if available.
Cancellation Policy
Full refunds will be given if the event is cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions. If you need to cancel your registration for any other reason, refunds can be requested up until 18 November – after that by negotiation only.
Covid Policy
Following the Government’s lifting of the “Traffic Light” guidelines, Forest & Bird have adjusted our Covid management plan. Face masks will not be required inside the venue, although we recommend that masks are worn except when eating and drinking, and we ask that you maintain social distancing where possible. Please note however that N95 masks will be required on the bus during the field trip – if you do not have your own N95, masks will be provided on the day. By registering for the Gathering, you agree to comply with this requirement.
There is no longer any vaccination requirement for people wishing to take part in Forest & Bird activities or events. This means that some attendees may be unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated. Please factor this into your decision to attend if you are at particular risk from catching Covid-19.
Please follow all public health guidance around travel and keeping yourself safe from Covid-19 on your way to and from the Gathering. Please do not attend the Gathering if you are unwell.