Three volunteers clearing vegetation along the track

Motuora 5-day volunteer programme

Introduction

Applications are invited for Monday–Friday volunteering to support the Motuora ranger.

Dates

When applying you will be asked to state your preferred date.

2025 dates

  • 24-28 March
  • 21-25 April
  • 16-22 June
  • 11-17 August
  • 22-26 September
  • 3-7 November

2026 dates

  • 26 January-1 February
  • 23-27 February

We will only contact you when we can offer you a place.

What to expect

Fitness required: High, with agility to disembark from boat to beach as this motu does not have a wharf. 

We will place 2-4 volunteers on each 5-day placement. A volunteer workday is six hours long.

You will assist the rangers with whatever activities they need help with. Cleaning, weeding, painting, infrastructure and/or track maintenance, biosecurity or biodiversity monitoring are some examples.

Outside of your working hours you are free to explore the island.

Transport: Transport to and from the island is by water taxi from Sandspit, Warkworth. You will be asked to contribute $60 towards travel costs.

Food: Bring your own. No supplies are available on the island. Please pack all food in rat, mouse and insect proof (sealed) containers.

Accommodation

Your accommodation will either be in the campground bach or the Ranger House. This will be booked for you free of charge. The facilities are shared, and you will be expected to help with daily clean up duties.  

Predator-free motu

Motuora is mammalian-pest free:

  • All foodstuffs must be placed into rodent and insect proof containers.
  • Use containers such as fishbins, chilly bins or barrels, with lids.
  • Plastic or cloth supermarket bags, or similar are not secure enough to ensure that insects or rodents are not able to climb in.
  • All bags taken to the island must be able to be completely closed.
  • Your boots, clothing and packs must not be carrying any dirt or seeds through which new species of weeds or disease could be introduced to the island.
  • Use DOC's biosecurity checklist to assist you when you are cleaning and packing your gear.  
  • Contact us if you are uncertain or have any questions about biosecurity.

How to apply

Register your interest by filling out our online application form.