The opportunities to participate in the kakapo recovery programme are in the following roles:
Supplementary feed-out
Opportunities to volunteer on the islands where kakapo live occur during the summer months (October to March). This is to assist the staff on the islands to provide supplementary food to kakapo. It involves preparing food for birds and walking around the island on steep terrain carrying a heavy pack (15 kg for up to 8 hours a day). The Supplementary feed out programme does not occur yearly - only in those years when it may encourage breeding.
Please note, there is no supplementary feed out during the 2009/2010 summer.
Nest-minders
Every few years a breeding season occurs in late summer. Nest-minder volunteers assist staff to monitor nests in situ, particularly at night. This work involves a lack of sleep and staying in tents in the bush as well as carrying a heavy pack (up to 10kg including a 6kg battery) up a hill for a couple of hours.
Cooks
During breeding seasons there are a lot of busy people on the island and having a cook allows everyone to focus on their tasks. Cooks may be cooking for up to 35 people over two meal sittings and will need to be able to cater for special diets (eg vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free etc).
Volunteering Requirements
All volunteers need to be good team-workers, comfortable living with other volunteers/staff in simple conditions, flexible and hard-working. The feed-out volunteers and nest-minders also need to be extremely fit, able to do hard work in the outdoors and in rough terrain and be happy being out in the field alone (day and night). Volunteers are also expected to lend a hand with other activities and chores around the hut and island. The risk of disease infection to the birds means all people going to the island are subject to stringent quarantine measures.
People must volunteer for two weeks at a time and must be aged over 18. It is important to note that volunteer places, particularly during breeding seasons, are entirely dependent on the birds’ activity. Therefore, trips may have to be cancelled at short notice. This is important to bear in mind if you are based outside of New Zealand. Please also be aware that there is no guarantee that you will actually get to see a kakapo in the flesh whilst volunteering.
You will need to cover your own transport costs to Invercargill or Te Anau. We organise the transfer to the island, food and accommodation during your stay, and charge $250 to go towards the cost of flights and food.
What to do to register your interest
If you have read and understood the above, and if you are prepared to follow the Terms and Conditions; please consult the table below to see what opportunities are available. If volunteers are required, follow the link to register, complete the form, and submit it. One person per registration please.
If you have registered previously for other opportunities, and you would like to express interest for a new opportunity; click on the register link again and then on the link at the very top of the form to use your existing log-in. Check your details are correct, and submit.
You will be contacted if there is a place in the roster for you. Please be aware that we do not have places for all those interested.
The following opportunities are currently being advertised:
| Title | Datefrom | Dateto | Status | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The 'just in case' list You're REALLY interested, but there are no current opportunities to volunteer? Register here and we'll keep your details for 2010 - if any opportunities pop up during the year we'll let you know - just in case! | 15 Feb 2010 | 31 Dec 2010 | Closed | |
| Cooks CODFISH Island 2011 The team need good fuel (and treats) to keep them going and going.... | 5 Jan 2011 | 27 Apr 2011 | Closed | |
| Supplementary feed-out CODFISH Island - 2010/2011 Big daily walks, big packs | 24 Nov 2010 | 11 May 2011 | Closed | |
| Supplementary feed-out ANCHOR Island - 2010/2011 Bigger than big daily walks, big packs. | 24 Nov 2010 | 11 May 2011 | Closed | |
| Nest minders CODFISH Island 2011 Who needs sleep when there's a bird on a nest to watch? | 4 Feb 2011 | 6 May 2011 | Closed |