Date:  07 July 2017

The first Central Otago Toyota Kiwi Guardian adventure site is being launched at Flat Top Hill today.

Toyota Kiwi Guardians is an activity-based programme helping kids connect with nature by encouraging them to go on epic guided adventures and earn rewards.

Kids complete actions, adventures or explorations – you can choose from a wide range online – and then when they have completed a task, they can claim a medal online, which will be posted at no cost.

The new Central Otago site is at Flat Top Hill, next to Butchers Dam in Alexandra. This is the first of several new sites planned for the lower South Island this year.

DOC Community Ranger Trudy Anderson says it is exciting to bring the adventure programme to Central Otago.

“We’re excited to make it easier for kids from Central to get outside, enjoy the fresh air, have fun and create memories. We hope they’ll learn good conservation habits at the same time.”

Toyota Kiwi Guardians has been running throughout the country since November 2015.  It is an activity programme helping kids aged 6-10 years old connect with nature.  

Today there are eight Kiwi Guardian adventure sites launching throughout the country, with more planned for later this year.

Trudy says kids love following the guided adventure maps, and collecting medals from different sites around the country.

“It’s great to be able to bring this programme to Central Otago and showcase our special local places. We want kids to actively engage with nature and establish lifelong connections.”

Information for the new sites will be available for download online from today. 

Alternatively, Flat Top Hill adventure maps will be available at the Department of Conservation office in Dunstan Road Alexandra or from the Alexandra Public Library.

Background information

• In November 2015 Toyota and DOC announced a 5-year partnership to work together on a national conservation programme that helps families and Kiwi kids explore New Zealand’s outdoors and take action for the benefit of conservation.  
• DOC has a team of credible conservation education professionals who understand the importance of engaging children in nature early on and the positive impact this has on learning, confidence and on physical and mental health.
• Toyota recognises the value of protecting the natural environment and is supporting DOC with commercial know-how and influence across NZ communities.

How the programme works

• There are three options:

1. Adventures: go on epic guided adventures at local parks or reserves and track down a Guardians Post to locate a secret code word. Each site has its own adventure map to guide your journey.
2. Actions: complete tasks in your own backyard, eg: build a Wētā Motel or track your cat
3. Exploring certain events, like Seaweek or Conservation Week

• You can find a list of Actions To Do and a map of Adventure sites online
• When kids have completed a task, they can visit and claim a medal online
• Show us your snaps on social media using #kiwiguardians or by visiting the Kiwi Guardians Facebook page

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