Visitors to Rotokare Scenic Reserve can now enjoy even more unique views of the lakes and wetland environment thanks to a new boardwalk and viewing platform.
The new boardwalk will serve not only as a walkway and viewing area for visitors to Rotokare but also act as a lasting memorial to one of the Trust's biggest fans.
Sandra Hodges, with her husband Bill, was passionate about all that Rotokare set out to do, and the couple were closely associated with the trust through the years.
"We really believed in this trust," says Bill.
"We could see the passion for conservation and an equal passion for people and the community, and that is why we got involved. Rotokare is a special place and we wanted to play our part in helping the Trust achieve their goals and to support their education programme."
When Sandra became unwell, the couple continued their commitment to the trust, often visiting on the weekends and meeting up with volunteers after working bees.
"Sandra just loved how much effort and love the volunteers would give every project, they are inspirational," says Bill.
Sandra and Bill committed to financially backing the boardwalk and viewing platform project, before Sandra passed away.
Every weekend for the past two months, volunteers have been working on developing the boardwalk and viewing platform. In total, around 570 volunteer hours have been put into the project, with an average of eight volunteers turning up for each full-day working bee, regardless of the weather. Bill has been involved in all stages and aspects of the project, and says seeing the project finished is fantastic, and had exceeded his expectation.
"To give something back to the community, and to have the pleasure of it is a dream come true."
Joe Menzies, Rotokare trustee and the project manager for the boardwalk project says Rotokare is a unique feature in Taranaki, which is now further enhanced with the new development.
"This new boardwalk and viewing platform offers a new perspective of this pest-free sanctuary, and the awesome wetlands area."
Joe says Rotokare is teaming with wildlife, thanks to the pest proof fencing surrounding the entire reserve.
With 12 mammalian pest and predator species having been eradicated in 2008 several rare and vulnerable native species have been reintroduced to the reserve, including the hihi (stitch bird) one of New Zealand's rarest forest birds which had been regionally extinct for 130 years before.
"One of the exciting things everyone can now experience is to stand on the viewing platform, enjoying the views of the surrounding forest and listening to the birdsong. If you are keen enough to be there at dusk, you may even be lucky enough to hear kiwi calling all around you."
Bill says the finished project is everything they had imagined, and he hopes visitors will enjoy exploring both the boardwalk and the viewing platform.