It’s Conservation Week from the 1st to the 7th of September, and that means it’s time again for our much-loved annual colouring competition. This year’s theme celebrates some of the geckos and skinks that make their home at Bream Head Scenic Reserve — the Elegant gecko, Forest gecko, and Ornate skink.
These species are all classified as at risk – declining, and their survival depends on keeping the reserve safe from predators like stoats and rats. That’s why our rangers and volunteers work year-round to remove pests and restore native habitats.
Thanks to Seabren Struijcken for creating this year’s beautiful colouring page featuring these special reptiles — now it’s over to the kids to bring them to life with colour!
How to Enter:
There are prizes to be won and winners will be announced on Tuesday 16 September. We can’t wait to see the creativity of our local tamariki!
Long time Director of Communication and Trustee, Annelies Struijcken, has stepped back from her leadership role at BHCT. During her tenure, Annelies developed a fun and healthy volunteer environment for her team, and professionalised our outreach systems. This legacy will pay dividends towards the advancement of the Trust's mission.
On behalf of the rangers, the volunteers, the trustees, and the tens of thousands of endangered animals that call Bream Head Home, thank you for all your hard work Annelies!
Our education program is all about giving tamariki meaningful, hands-on experiences in conservation. In Term Two, we hosted our largest school visit yet, when 67 students from Parua Bay School joined us for a full day at the reserve.
With the help of our rangers, volunteers, and support from Enviroschools, students rotated through six activity stations. They explored seed sourcing and planting, learned about pest and weed control, followed a predator trap line, and even built bird feeders.
The day gave tamariki a window into what it takes to protect and restore ecosystems — and how they can help too.
We are deeply grateful to Rupert Newbold, who provides land for our nursery and has restored habitat on his own property. His generosity makes it possible to grow the plants we need for restoration work. As Rupert explains:
“We plant trees for the next generation and the nursery makes that possible — plus it gives kids a chance to come along, get their hands in the soil, and be part of the change.”
Ngā mihi nui to the teachers, parent helpers, and our enthusiastic students — you are helping to build a new generation of conservation leaders.
Bream Head Conservation Trust was named a finalist in the 2025 Northland Regional Council Environmental Awards in recognition of the extraordinary reforestation efforts at Bream Head Scenic Reserve.
Over the years, volunteers and supporters have made it possible to plant more than 50,000 native trees in the reserve, restoring habitats for a wide range of native species. The results can already be seen and heard: rangers have reported more sightings of toutouwai (NZ robin) and elegant geckos, while one local resident counted an incredible 61 kiwi calls in just two hours.
Ranger Kees McCahon shared how the transformation is felt every day:
“I was sitting on my roof one morning in complete awe of the birdsong. The numbers show progress, but until you experience it — the chorus of calls — you can’t imagine the change.”
We are proud to see the efforts of so many dedicated volunteers honoured during National Volunteer Week 2025.