Westpac—18 December 2015

Our summer project is to construct a new walking track at the top of the property where we will be planting next winter.  Since November, with the assistance of several teams of volunteers, we have managed to get over a third of the track cleared and benched.

So how much more do we have to do? Are we there yet?

In November 2014, the Department of Conservation had arranged for a team from Westpac, one of New Zealand’s largest banks, to come out to CUE Haven to assist with the construction of a track during Conservation Week.  A couple of months ago we contacted the Westpac team and requested them to help out again with the new track construction.

And we were delighted to have Rene and his fantastic team of Business Analysts from Westpac’s Auckland office return to CUE Haven to help us once more.

The team arrived shortly after nine and included Devan, Indra, Leon, Nooshka, Rene and Rory. We spent some time getting reacquainted over morning tea and then headed up to the top of the property to start work.

The team initially worked in two groups with Devan, Indra and Nooshka forging ahead clearing and benching the track and cutting steps.

Leon, Rene and Rory followed behind, shaping the steps and boxing them up with timber.

The weather was perfect and the team made great progress.

Once the teams joined up they took a short break and then continued working together to move the track ahead.

Thanks to the work of the Westpac BA team, the end of the track is now in sight and we are in a good position to finish it off in the new year when other volunteer teams return to CUE Haven.

After several hours of work, we took a leisurely walk down to the cottage for a well earned lunch.  On the way down the team had a chance to check out the track sections they had built last year.

We’d like to thank Nestle NZ for providing the variety of Nescafe beverages that were much enjoyed by everyone.

A big thank you to Rene for organising the visit and bringing his team out again to assist.

And many thanks the enthusiastic and hardworking team.  It was a fun and productive day and we really appreciate your efforts.  You have definitely made a mark on CUE Haven with two big sections of walking track—one at top of the property and one in the gully.  The tracks will be enjoyed by visitors to CUE Haven for years to come.  We wish you all a great holiday season and we hope you will come back with your families for a more leisurely visit and to help out again in 2016.

Thanks again!!