Admirals Bay is a name most Northlanders instantly recognise but a conservation trust is ensuring the site on Whangaruru Harbour's north head earns a special place on the map.
It is where Camp Kiwi, an innovative, ambitious $1 million-$2 million environmental education and conference complex is planned on land leased from Department of Conservation. Admirals is the next bay along from DoC's Puriri Bay campground, at the end of the road past Bland Bay.
A native tree replanting programme is under way on the one-time farmed land on the large DoC reserve straddling the headland and inside a predator controlled kiwi zone. The area also contains walking tracks that go through native forest and ridgelines before dropping down into secluded bays.
Next Sunday, a planting session that the organisers hope will be well supported by the public should see about 2000 native tree seedlings added to the 2,400 planted at Camp Kiwi at Queens Birthday Weekend last year. Trustee Clea Gardiner is asking people to bring a spade, gumboots, gloves and sunscreen, and, for catering purposes, register their interest beforehand.
While the project is in its early planting days, the spirit of Camp Kiwi will be to embody the birds, the people and the place in one unforgettable experience, Ms Gardiner said.
