Friends of Parks
Over 500 of our community parks have groups of supporters who care for individual sites. Many of these groups run regular working bees, environmental education events and social gatherings for all ages.
Friends of Parks groups look for a wide variety of skills to support their environmental work, for example; event management, social media, administration, accountancy and education.
Visit the
Nature Space website to find a group near you or email your local community park ranger for more information.
Corporate and community groups
We welcome corporate and community groups to our volunteer programmes. Volunteering in parks is great for team building.
To find a local group or site that needs help with park and beach clean-ups, planting and plant releasing, email your community park ranger.
For volunteering opportunities in regional parks, contact us on 09 301 0101 and ask for the appropriate regional park office.
Planting days
Planting days are a great opportunity to meet other people in your community and make a difference.
We plant to protect the things that belong in the parks:
- native plants
- birds
- fish and insects and their support systems and food supplies - forest, streams, wetlands, sea.
Planting days are usually held in the late autumn and winter months.
To find a local group or site that needs help with planting and plant releasing, email your community park ranger or see our Facebook site for upcoming events.
For volunteer planting days in regional parks, contact us on 09 301 0101 and ask for the appropriate regional park office.
Plant a tree for your child
Celebrate the birth of your child by planting a tree in the Papakura Children's Forest.
Every June, you can plant a tree in honour of your child. Registration is mandatory and you must live in the Papakura Local Board area. Registration closes a week before planting.
Contact the local community ranger to register or for more information.
Tāwharanui Open Sanctuary Society Inc (TOSSI)
Tāwharanui Open Sanctuary at the Tāwharanui Regional Park integrates the conservation of native species, farming, and public recreation. This allows visitors to get in touch with nature.
TOSSI works on developing the open sanctuary through fundraising and volunteer work.
TOSSI has a monthly work day on Sundays. Check the TOSSI website for the date.
To join TOSSI or make a donation, see the TOSSI website or email Open Sanctuary at secretary@tossi.org.nz.
Shakespear Open Sanctuary Society Inc (SOSSI)
SOSSI aims to make Shakespear Open Sanctuary at the Shakespear Regional Park an open and accessible wildlife sanctuary that:
- integrates public recreation, conservation and farming
- provides an environment for native bird species to repopulate the Whangaparaoa peninsula.
SOSSI has a monthly work day on Sundays. Check the SOSSI website for the date.
To join SOSSI or make a donation, see the SOSSI website or email SOSSI at info@sossi.org.nz. For updates, check the SOSSI Facebook page.
