Our branch is lucky to be situated beside the wonderful Waitākere Ranges in West Auckland.
Walks and Talks
We have evening talks on the third Thursday of each month from February until November.
We welcome volunteers with a range of skills or hobbies.
Whether you're interested in walking, lobbying, enjoying our forest and birds, or writing emails to members, we have an opportunity for everyone to get involved.
The more members and volunteers we have the more we can accomplish.
KCC in Waitākere
Our Kiwi Conservation Club (KCC) is a great way to get kids outside to enjoy local nature-based trips, at least six a year on average, organised by our enthousiastic voluntary KCC coordinators. KCC new members receive a welcome pack on joining and receive the fun and educational Wild Things Magazine four times a year, as well as monthly email newsletters packed with activity ideas. Membership is a great present for your (grand) children at just $24 per year. School membership options available as well.
Tai Haruru Lodge, Piha
Photo by J. Geux of Tai Haruru Lodge
Tai Haruru, meaning ‘the sound of the waves’, is a fitting name for our lodge at Piha, which sits only a few minutes’ walk from North Piha beach.
The main lodge is has a fully equipped kitchen and dining area, a lounge and two bedrooms (one with a double bed, one with three single beds), sleeping up to five people. Hire it with the adjacent self-contained flat to add another four beds. Cosy up by the wood fire in the lounge at the end of a day’s walking in the winds of a wild west winter, or go for instant heat with the heat pump. The lodge is wheelchair accessible.
Bookings can be made up to six months in advance. The booking must be made in the name of a Forest & Bird member, so please advise us of your membership number when you book.
To read more about the Tai Haruru on this website click here.
Join our projects
Forest & Bird Waitākere is a very active branch with passionate volunteers looking after the taiao (nature) in our area. You don't need to be an expert to volunteer and help our birds and our forests - trapping, baiting, weeding, planting, building, baking, writing submissions - there is something for everyone. Contact our chairperson Annalily for more information - waitakere.branch@forestandbird.org.nz or call her on 0212207136.
Our volunteers in Te Atatu Peninsula are looking after the traps to protect the birds in the Orangihina/Harbourview project, working with other local conservation groups to be the voice for nature in their patch.
Ark in the Park was started by volunteers from our Waitākere branch. 25 years later, it is a flagship national project with 2200 hectares of pest control done by volunteers in the Waitākere Ranges.
Our branch also looks after the Colin Kerr-Taylor Memorial Reserve in Kumeu, and Matuku Reservein Waitākere. Both are currently closed for visitors due to the spread of kauri dieback, however our volunteers continue pest control to protect the birds.
Committee members
| Annalily van den Broeke | Chairperson |
| Chris Bindon | Tai Haruru and outreach |
| Raewyn Michael | Harbourview/Orangihina Project |
| John Staniland | Matuku Reserve |
| John Sumich | Ark in the Park and Habitat Te Henga |
| Liz Anstey | Communications |
| Janette Fawcett | Harbourview/Orangihina and outreach |
| Dave Allen | Health & Safety and Kaipara branch connection |
Our Forest & Bird 2025 Calendars and Diaries now for sale!
A great gift to send overseas or leave under the Christmas tree. Beautiful images on each page to enjoy year round. Your purchase supports our local conservation projects like Ark in the Park, Habitat te Henga and Matuku Reserve. The calendars are $18 each, diaries $24 each. Postage is depending on numbers ordered. Contact the Waitakere Branch chair to order yours now!
