More than 500 people gathered on a softly lit path through the ngahere (forest) to kai and laughter under the stars during a Matariki Night Walk to the Kauaeranga Visitor Centre on July 4.
Hauraki Department of Conservation (DOC) community ranger Riley Elliot-Hogg was the creative mind behind the event.
“We couldn’t be more grateful for the support we received,” she said.
“It made the efforts of our Hauraki DOC Community and Visitor team in pulling this together really worthwhile. We want to thank our community for joining us and embracing the kaupapa behind it.”
The free, family-friendly event invited people of all ages to come together and celebrate Matariki, the Māori new year, while enjoying the beauty of the natural environment after dark.
Riley said the 900-metre Kahikatea bush walk was illuminated with soft LED lighting, which created a unique opportunity for visitors to safely experience the forest at night.
“Activities throughout the evening included learning about Kauri and Kauri dieback, with visitors shown how to use a Kauri dieback boot-cleaning station before entering the bush.
“Attendees also enjoyed a virtual reality experience focused on kauri, a short educational film about Matariki, and a variety of crafts and colouring activities for children,” she said.
Kai (food) was shared, and visitors had the opportunity to browse products from a range of local vendors.
“Special thanks go to Mitre 10 for donating lighting for the walk and the Rotary Club for their years of maintenance on the model dam,” she said.
“We look forward to bringing more events like this to the region and continuing to connect people with conservation and te taiao, the natural world.”
