From the 14th - 23rd April 2021 I went down to Stewart Island to complete my 5 day residential project for my gold Duke of Edinburgh award. I had an awesome experience on the island, doing a range of activities. My main objective was 5 days volunteering with the Stewart Island/Rakiura Community & Environment Trust (SIRCET). My volunteering with SIRCET consisted of rat trapping and fixing the traps. While I was on the island 28 rats were extracted from the island with 14 from the community/buffer zone and the other 14 from the core zone.

I also did a days service with the Department of Conservation (D.O.C) collecting gear from the track that a tramper had dumped every 200-300m along the track.

When I wasn’t volunteering I was exploring the island. I went to Ulva Island, on a bush stalk hunting white tail, paua diving and some day walks.

I can’t wait to go back again and volunteer with SIRCET and D.O.C.

Written by Liam Knowles