Banks Peninsula Walking Festival 2020 now launched!
September 11th, 2020
The 2020 Banks Peninsula Walking Festival has now been launched and will be running every Saturday and Sunday from 7th-29th November. Come and […]
News
Pest Free Banks Peninsula Funding Boost Announced
August 12th, 2020
A large crowd enjoyed a ferry trip to Ōtamahua/Quail Island on the on Sunday 9th August to hear the official announcement of a […]
Whaka-Ora Healthy Harbour Open Day
July 30th, 2020
Congratulations to the Whaka-Ora group for running an excellent showcase day at Living Springs. This provided a wonderful location to appreciate the beauty […]
Trust celebrates 10th Birthday and re-appointment of Trustees
July 30th, 2020
Rod Donald Trustees and staff celebrated the Trust’s 10th birthday at their most recent Board meeting. The Board was delighted to hear that four of […]
Happy 10th Birthday Rod Donald Trust!
July 12th, 2020
This month marks the 10th anniversary of the Rod Donald Trust when the organisation was formally constituted as a Charitable Trust on July […]
Booking the Rod Donald Hut
June 22nd, 2020
DOC are in the process of setting up a new Hut booking system on their website and registration for this system opens tomorrow […]
Peter Ramsden named on Queen’s Birthday Honours List
June 11th, 2020
We wish to congratulate Peter Te Rangi Hiroa Ramsden who has been named on the Queen’s Birthday honours list receiving a New Zealand […]
Photo Competition Winners!
May 22nd, 2020
Congratulations to the winners of our Rod Donald Trust Photo Competition! The high standard of entries and the large variation of subjects were […]
New Look Banks Peninsula Walks Website now Launched!
May 15th, 2020
Check out the latest features on the Banks Peninsula Walks website. A ‘Track Search’ capability has been added, enabling you to quickly find […]
Rod Donald Hut Re-Opens!
May 15th, 2020
We are delighted that under Alert Level 2 the Rod Donald Hut has now been able to re-open. At this stage there will […]
Enter our Photo Competition!
May 1st, 2020
Something for fun – we have a ‘lock-down’ challenge for you! See what images you have in your photo collection or have taken […]
Covid 19 Alert Level 4 – where can I walk
March 26th, 2020
Under Covid 19 Alert Level 4 restrictions you are permitted to leave your house to go for a walk, or exercise and enjoy […]
Rod Donald Hut closed
March 22nd, 2020
With great sadness and heavy hearts, we let you know that Rod Donald Hut is closed from Monday 23 March 2020 due to […]
Rod Donald Hut currently open
March 17th, 2020
Rod Donald Hut remains open during the current Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. You are responsible for your own safety and precautions. We encourages all […]
Tribute to Jeanette Fitzsimons
March 6th, 2020
The Trust is saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected death of Jeanette Fitzsimons. Jeanette shared the co-leadership of the Green Party […]
Banks Peninsula Walks 2020 Directory launched at Hinewai celebration
February 24th, 2020
Choose your next adventure using the handy Banks Peninsula Walks Directory. It lists all the walks available and gives you an idea of […]
Happy Birthday Hugh Wilson!
February 24th, 2020
Happy Birthday to Hugh Wilson and his twin sister Hilary on their 75th milestone. Excellent organisation by Tricia Hewlett and the whole Hinewai […]
Native Forest Climate Change Group oral submission to the Select Committee
February 11th, 2020
Suky Thompson, on behalf of the Banks Peninsula Native Forest Climate Change group, presented an oral submission, via video conference, to the Environment […]
NZ Post acknowledges the Native Daphne Moth
February 3rd, 2020
Brian Patrick, a former Trustee of the Rod Donald Trust, has been busy working alongside NZ Post to create a beautiful six stamp […]
Submission to the Emissions Trading Scheme Amendments Bill
January 21st, 2020
The Trust has convened the Banks Peninsula Native Forest/Climate Change group – a collaboration of organisations and agencies with knowledge of, an interest […]
New Governors Bay Walking Brochure launched!
December 16th, 2019
The Rod Donald Trust was delighted to launch its new Governors Bay walking brochure in November, in conjunction with the Banks Peninsula Walking […]
Adventure Race!
December 2nd, 2019
Congratulations to Scott Smith and his team for organising the highly successful Banks Peninsula Adventure Race on Sunday December 1st. 170 incredibly fit […]
Fabulous Photos! Some Highlights from the 2019 Banks Peninsula Walking Festival
November 25th, 2019
This years Walking Festival was a huge success, with over 500 participants out and about enjoying all sorts of walks in various locations […]
Now Underway – Banks Peninsula Walking Festival 2019!
November 6th, 2019
The weather was beautiful for the first weekend of this year’s Banks Peninsula Walking Festival. Walkers were spread far and wide over eight […]
Welcome Dinner for new Ranger and Park Staff
October 13th, 2019
The Rod Donald Trust was delighted to host a community function welcoming new Ranger and Park Staff to the Peninsula area. With around […]
Volunteers improve Rod Donald hut
October 2nd, 2019
Many thanks to our incredible volunteers from the Christchurch office of Jacobs – the international engineering firm – who cheerfully slaved away at […]
2019 Newsletter – Storehouse Stories
September 26th, 2019
Our annual newsletter is hot off the press and you can view it HERE to get an update on the Rod Donald Trusts […]
Head to Head Walkway – Planning the next section
September 20th, 2019
The Head to Head Walkway is an aspirational project to create a continuous walkway around the coastline of Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour, from Awaroa/Godley Head […]
Banks Peninsula – a carbon sink for Christchurch?
September 18th, 2019
The Trust has been building knowledge on the Emissions Trading Scheme this year, and made submissions stressing the opportunity the Peninsula offers for […]
Working Party formed
September 13th, 2019
The Trust is delighted that the Council has set up a joint working party with us to discuss our future. The Trust was […]
Banks Peninsula Walking Festival 2019 Launched
September 6th, 2019
The Banks Peninsula Walking Festival will be running once again in November and ticket sales are now underway and selling fast! This event […]
Refuge Ecology
August 20th, 2019
Maintaining the Te Ara Pātaka walkway and its large network of tracks is a big job and this year the Trust has engaged […]
Submission to the Emissions Targets Consultation
August 17th, 2019
With Christchurch City Council recently declaring a Climate and Ecological Emergency, the Trust strongly supports this decision and recognises how serious the problem […]
A Tribute to George Waitai Tikao
August 12th, 2019
The Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust would like to pay tribute to George Waitai Tikao (28 January 1933-27 July 2019) whose memorial service […]
A Tribute to Maurice White
July 31st, 2019
It is with sadness that we hear of the passing of Maurice White, well known as the founder of the Maurice White Native […]
Luncheon honouring Simon Mortlock as he retires as Trust Chair
July 25th, 2019
With more than 40 guests enjoying a luncheon at the Governors Bay Community Centre, it was a lovely way to honour Simon Mortlock […]
Carbon Report Released
June 27th, 2019
We are delighted to be able to release our carbon research report to the public – “Facilitating Biodiversity Enhancement using Income from Carbon […]
Simon Mortlock’s Final Board Meeting
June 27th, 2019
After serving faithfully on the Rod Donald Trust board for nine years it was with great sadness that we shared a final board […]
Our Strategic Vision and Plan
June 27th, 2019
The last few months have been a busy time for the Trust as we have worked through the process of compiling our Strategic […]
Woodills Subdivision Completed
June 14th, 2019
The Trust is so delighted that our Woodills subdivision is complete at last, after working through this project since we first purchased the […]
Montgomery Reserve Track Maintenance
May 16th, 2019
Yes, we have done the maths and 19 bags weighing 850kgs each means that over 16 tonnes of shingle was delivered by helicopter […]
Remembering Rod Donald
March 26th, 2019
Our March Rod Donald Trust Board meeting began in a different way than usual, with a stop at the Little River cemetery to […]
New Governors Bay Brochure Underway!
February 20th, 2019
Work has begun to produce a new walking brochure for the Governors Bay area and Suky and Sue recently spent a day scouting […]
Securing public access on Te Ara Pātaka
January 20th, 2019
The Rod Donald Trust has been working to secure public access on the whole Te Ara Pataka track network. Most of the track […]
New Hut Manager
January 4th, 2019
We are delighted to have David Brailsford on board as the new Manager for the Rod Donald Hut. Having been the builder who […]
Trust Chair honoured
December 31st, 2018
Congratulations to our chair, Simon Mortlock, who has been awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Years Honours list. Simon […]
Panama Stream Family Camp Opens
December 7th, 2018
Congratulations to the Josef Langer Trust on the opening of the new Panama Stream Family Camp at their reserve in Le Bons Bay. […]
Ōtamahua Hut Opens
November 5th, 2018
Hon Eugenie Sage, Minister for Conservation, opened the new Ōtamahua Hut on Quail Island as the first event in the Banks Peninsula Walking […]
Banks Peninsula Walking Festival off to a great start
November 4th, 2018
Banks Peninsula Walking Festival opened with wonderful weather. On the Lyttelton side of the Peninsula, over 100 people took the ferry to Quail […]
Storehouse Stories newsletter
October 2nd, 2018
The Trust has released its 2018 newsletter. Find out more about our projects and progress over the year. To download a PDF copy […]
Volunteer planting at Hut
October 2nd, 2018
Thanks to Banks Peninsula Conservation Trust and Student Volunteer Army we had a great working bee to improve the Rod Donald Hut access […]
Rod Donald Hut Maintenance
September 28th, 2018
Rod Donald Hut is now re-opened after annual maintenance. Repeat visitors may spot that the VIP toilet has shifted to the other pit […]
Conservation Awards
September 18th, 2018
The Trust was delighted to receive an award from Department of Conservation at the Conservation Week function held in the Air NZ Aviation […]
Frank Worsley’s childhood home interp panel
September 11th, 2018
Did you know that famous Antarctic hero Frank Worsley lived in Akaroa as a boy? Enjoy a walk to the site of his […]
Banks Peninsula Walking Festival 2018 launched
September 5th, 2018
The 2018 Banks Peninsula Walking Festival is now open for bookings on Eventfinda. There is something for everyone with 29 wonderful guided walks […]
Orton Bradley Field Trip
August 11th, 2018
The Trust enjoyed a field trip to Orton Bradley Park to see the progress made since entering into a partnership arrangement in 2013. […]
Trustee appointments
July 30th, 2018
Christchurch City Council has supported the Trust’s recommendations regarding Trustee appointments. At its meeting on July 10 it extended Cynthia Robert’s term for […]
Goat eradication underway
July 12th, 2018
The first attempt to eradicate a pest species from Banks Peninsula has been trialled at Little Akaloa with a big push to eliminate […]
Farewell Chrissie Williams
June 30th, 2018
We said a sad farewell to Trustee Chrissie Williams who retired from the Board on June 30 at the end of her term […]
MOU with Living Springs
June 17th, 2018
The Rod Donald Banks Peninsula Trust was delighted to visit Living Springs and witness first-hand the discipline, dedication and delight their 60 LSV […]
Ōtamahua/Quail Island tramping hut progresses
June 6th, 2018
A weekend visit to Ōtamahua/Quail Island revealed the conversion of the caretaker cottage into family style tramping accommodation is progressing well. “This builds […]
Kennedy’s Bush Track re-opens
April 1st, 2018
Walkers and mountain bikers were delighted that Kennedy’s Bush Track re-opened on Easter Sunday having been closed for over a year since the […]
Trust and DOC sign Memorandum Of Understanding
March 27th, 2018
The Trust and Department of Conservation formalised their working relationship with a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at a meeting at the DOC […]
Kennedys Bush Track
February 5th, 2018
The Trust is concerned that Kennedys Bush Track remains closed a year after the Port Hills fires. The track is approximately 3.7km long […]
Montgomery Reserve Extends
December 8th, 2017
The Trust is delighted to announce that Department of Conservation’s Montgomery Park Scenic Reserve along the Te Ara Pātaka track near Hilltop has […]
Diamond Harbour brochure released
November 29th, 2017
A new walking brochure featuring 5 Coastal and Village Loops around Diamond Harbour launched at the Walking Festival Guides dinner event, and is […]
More Walking Festival adventures
November 12th, 2017
The Waking Festival continues to delight participants exploring Banks Peninsula. Walkers on the Port Hills Phoenix were able to hear first hand from […]
Welcome new Minister for Conservation
November 5th, 2017
Walking Festival participants who headed to the wonderful Hinewai 30th Anniversary celebrations on November 5 were entertained by a surprise speaker, Eugenie Sage, […]
Walking Festival off to a great start
November 4th, 2017
Fabulous weather meant the first day of the Walking Festival has been a great success and a huge amount of fun was had […]
2017 Walking Festival open for bookings
October 3rd, 2017
Banks Peninsula Walking Festival 2017 is underway with 30 exciting walks. Explore new places, experience properties not usually open to the public, enjoy […]
Annual Report available
October 3rd, 2017
The Trust’s audited Annual Report for financial year 2016-17 is now. We recommend reading it in conjunction with our colourful newsletter.
Rod Donald Hut Annual spruce up
September 15th, 2017
Rod Donald Hut is sparkling and ready for the new season after its annual maintenance and spring cleaning this week. Builder David Brailsford […]
Conservation Minister Barry Predator Free awards
September 12th, 2017
Banks Peninsula was the star of the show at a Predator Free 2050 event hosted in Christchurch by Minister for Conservation Maggie Barry […]
Building Environmental Stewards of the Future talk
September 7th, 2017
Building Environmental Stewards of the Future with Sustainable Long Distance Trails was the topic discussed with U3A (University of the Third Age) members […]
Storehouse Stories Newsletter
August 31st, 2017
Read all about the Trust’s activities in 2016-17 in our Storehouse Stories newsletter just released. To read it on ISSUU click here. To […]
Regenerating Banks Peninsula forum
August 28th, 2017
Trust Manager Suky Thompson updated the Regenerating Banks Peninsula forum in Diamond Harbour on Trust activities. “I was impressed by the turnout from […]
Trustee farewell and welcome
August 6th, 2017
The Trust said a fond farewell to departing Trustees – Stuart Wright-Stow, Brian Patrick and Debbie Tikao, and formally welcomed new Trustees – […]
Walking Access – the Curly Questions Seminar report released
July 28th, 2017
Back in June the Trust held a seminar to thank you landowners who allow public walking access across their land, and to answer […]
BPCT AGM
July 27th, 2017
You know you must be doing something right when 70 people attend your AGM on a wet and windy night and everyone is […]
Diamond Harbour brochure underway
July 7th, 2017
Last year Lyttelton Information Centre invited the Trust to produce walking brochures describing the many walks in the Lyttelton harbour basin, and we […]
Banks Peninsula Walking Festival underway
July 1st, 2017
The Banks Peninsula Walking Festival will run on four weekends in November. The only pan-Peninsula event, the festival is co-produced by Project Lyttelton, […]
Input to Council plans!
June 30th, 2017
Sharpen your thoughts around biodiversity and access on Banks Peninsula. Christchurch City Council has begun its initial consultations on Reserve Management plans for […]
Updated signage
June 15th, 2017
The Trust and Christchurch City Council collaborated on a joint project to update the Akaroa Country Walks trail head boards and these were […]
Walking Access – the Curly Questions
June 9th, 2017
The Rod Donald Trust hosted a well-attended seminar and panel discussion at Kaituna Homestead on June 9 to help landowners better understand where […]
Youth trips
June 7th, 2017
Youth groups keep on coming up with creative ways to enjoy Rod Donald Hut. Enjoy this video made by Stephanie Barbier and the […]
Welcome new Trustees and Farewell to retiring Trustees
May 29th, 2017
Trust welcomes aboard four new Trustees: Richard Suggate, Bryan Storey, Maureen McCloy and Paul McNoe starting July 1. All have strong connections with […]
Recreation and Tourism in Protected Natural Areas
May 24th, 2017
Trust Manager Suky Thompson gave a guest lecture on Long Distance Walking Trails, exploring the issues around sustainability and using Te Ara Pātaka […]
Predator Free Banks Peninsula scoping analysis report
May 3rd, 2017
Lincoln University has now released the Predator Free Banks Peninsula Scoping analysis report as LEAP Research Paper number 44. The Trust commissioned the […]
Rod Donald Hut popular with families and youth groups
April 27th, 2017
Rod Donald Hut seems to be getting a reputation as a great place to take kids for their first tramp. Our latest statistics […]
Amazing old map
April 19th, 2017
The Trust was excited to receive this amazing old map and book entry from YHA Corporate Services Manager Maureen McCloy. YHA was started […]
Expressions of Interest period closed
April 18th, 2017
The period for Expression of Interest closed on March 31 and the Trust has been absolutely delighted with the response from so many highly […]
Community Board update presentation and Walking Festival launch
April 10th, 2017
Trust Manager Suky Thompson met with the new Banks Peninsula Community Board at a workshop on April 10 and gave a presentation to […]
Predator Free Banks Peninsula: Scoping Analysis seminar, 7 April, 2017
April 7th, 2017
With the New Zealand government setting an aspirational goal of a Predator Free New Zealand by 2050, the Trust funded a summer scholarship […]
Monument South Track marked
March 29th, 2017
Trust contractor David Brailsford accompanied by Trust Manager Suky Thompson spent a happy morning installing bright orange track markers on the Monument South […]
New Trustees sought
February 24th, 2017
Are you passionate about Banks Peninsula? Keen on walking and tramping and with skills in financial management or negotiation? The Trust is now […]
Massive fires in Port Hills
February 17th, 2017
Our hearts go out to everyone who loves the Port Hills and has worked for so many years to bring back native forest […]
New entrance to Montgomery Reserve
December 27th, 2016
The Trust was delighted that the Hilltop Tavern owner and lessee agreed with us that it would be much better if Te Ara […]
Farewell to Assistant Manager Sarah Pritchett
December 16th, 2016
Sadly Sarah Pritchett has decided it’s time to move on from her role with the Trust as its assistant manager. Sarah brought her […]
Te Ara Pātaka (Summit Walkway) formal opening and Harry Ell Centenary
November 26th, 2016
On Saturday 26 November over a hundred people, including Peninsula historian Gordon Ogilvie, braved strong nor’west winds ascending Mt Herbert, the highest point […]