Waikato kids explore outdoors with Guardians programme

Parents searching for a final school holiday activity for kids can give them an experience of the great outdoors with a programme that offers medals and certificates to participants.

The free Toyota Kiwi Guardian programme launched at three new Waikato sites in April, and DOC community ranger Aroha Hughes said they had been well received.

“No one thought as many people were going to do them as quickly as they did, but it turned out a lot of people had been waiting to do them,” Hughes said.

The programme is targeted at children, but people of all ages may take part in adventure walks, actions and exploring, which can lead to medals and certificates for successful participants.

The first three Waikato sites on the programme are Bridal Veil Falls or Wairēinga, Rotopiko Serpentine Lake, and Maungatautari Sanctuary.

Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari visitor centre coordinator Rickie-Lee Scanlon said the programme has  been appreciated by families.

“The programme is a great addition to our project, families appreciate the support and children relish the opportunity to explore and discover their environment in a fun and safe way,” Scanlon said.

“Plus the added incentive of having a cool medal sent to in the post is a huge bonus.”  

 Toyota Kiwi Guardians is a programme created by Toyota and DOC to try and get younger families out into nature.

Hughes likes the programme and thinks it’s a great way to educate children.

“It’s just so exciting. Who doesn’t want to see kids excited about doing something?” Hughes said.

“And that’s cool: you know what a tui is, you live in the city and you know what a tui is, yes!”

There are currently 70 sites for the programme that first started in 2015 and more sites have been launched this month.

“More sites equals more accessibility and that’s why they have given us more around the country,” Hughes said.

All of the sites in the Waikato are wheelchair accessible.