What happens on a FOMI work party trip to Mana Island?

FOMI uses the Charmaine Karol boat to transport work parties. This means that groups of 16 can travel to Mana Island for a weekend and carry out monitoring, track and bird site maintenance, and many other tasks.

Members of these teams have developed lizard ID skills, bird monitoring skills, seabird handling and ID skills for invertebrates. There are also opportunities for other people to be involved and develop skills.

Each year we run about 6 work trips. A work opportunities schedule is sent out at the end of the year with an outline of the likely tasks that will be required for each trip.

Around 3 weeks before each trip a notice is sent out to all FOMI members offering the chance to express interest in the upcoming trip. Volunteers need to be quick responding as these trips are popular. A list of potential people is matched with the list of tasks.

There is comfortable accommodation in a Lockwood house which sleeps 16 persons in two bunk rooms. The house has electricity, a living/dining area, fully equipped kitchen, and a bathroom with showers and hot water.

Often night work is included. This may involve flax weevil spotting and capture and seabird monitoring. Another option is to do a walk close to the Lockwood house and attempt to spot kiwi and Cook Strait giant weta.

Evening meals are generally shared which makes it easier and gives variety. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed as we wind down after a day in the fresh air. Those who prefer to prepare their own food can of course do so.

The boat leaves from Mana Marina on Friday at 4pm and pick up from the island is usually 4pm Sunday.

Biosecurity: Care needs to be taken to clear any soil and seeds from boot soles and any seeds on Velcro surfaces. No open bags – only zipped up containers please.

DOC has a useful video showing what to do for Biosecurity.

FOMI has a Volunteer Safety Plan for working party trips to Mana Island. All tasks are assessed for health and safety before work begins each day.

Trip reports

Read reports of work trips from 2022 to present here… 

Resources about volunteering

Watch this video to get a taste of a weekend work trip.

Listen to this interview with two FOMI volunteers on RNZ National as part of a series on volunteers in January 2019.