ELFNZ has organised a beautiful house set in rainforest just 5 minutes from the Valley. This will be used as “Valley HQ” and accommodation for volunteers, friends and supporters of our charity.

The house has large sunny decks, a charming wood interior and is set among some very large native trees. It is the perfect compliment to our recreation activities and work in Earthwise Valley.

There are sheltered areas for growing vegetables and a great sheltered spot for raising native trees, for later replanting in the Valley. In the near future the house will get hammocks, a games-room/library, BBQ tables and a cob-oven – perfect for pizzas!

See more house photos here!

In February 2009, ELFNZ built a dam and pond in Earthwise Valley. Early on in the project, we noted an area of low-lying land which is ‘boggy’ in Winter but dries out in Summer. We decided it was perfect wetland habitat and created a body of static freshwater would be a blessing to local wildlife. Environment Waikato approved of the work.

Volunteers created the formwork and laid concrete to secure a “hockey stick” outflow pipe under the dam and then an earth-mover deposited a large body of clay to build the drivable dam and contain the pond. Read story here. This created a shallow pond and over Winter this area fulled with water and native reeds grew like crazy. We’ve seen herons, kingfishers and more recently pukeko have bred producing several chicks. But last week was a great surprise – an endangered Pakete has been found, with 5 ducklings!! The Pakete, or Brown Teal Anas chlorotis is endemic to New Zealand and is one of the World’s rarest ducks – being less than 1000 individuals remaining. It is classed as “endangered – a class A species” on the IUCN Red List.

The presence of these birds in Earthwise Valley is a tribute to the extensive pest control that has suppressed predator numbers in the Northern Coromandel over past years. We’re proud to have created habitat suitable for Pateke and hope they flourish in our area!

Click the image below for an expanded photograph.

This photograph shows our property nestled beside the sea from a vantage point high up in the volcanoes that surround our land. The shot was taken from the swaying top of a large tanekaha tree on a brilliant sunny day and really shows the extent of the forest that surrounds our home-base.

Click on the image below and EXPAND to see the really BIG full-size version: