Halter is a New Zealand company providing innovative solutions to farmers, helping them improve productivity of pastures, protect waterways and improve the welfare of stock.  The company provides solar powered collars for cows that enable farmers to virtually fence their pastures, monitor the movements and health of stock and move stock using an app.  Satellite imagery also enables farmers to optimize grazing areas to ensure pasture health.

Today we were very happy to once again welcome a team from Halter’s production department for a volunteer day at CUE Haven. The team included Alyx, Albert, Cullum, Dugun, Drew, Eleanor, Jack, John, Josh, Julia, Kate, Nic and Randy.

The Halter production team has grown, and half the team were new to CUE Haven, so over morning tea Mahrukh gave a quick history of the restoration project, current activities and future plans.

Thomas then gave a safety briefing and description of the work planned for the day.

The plan for the day was to continue to work on a new track we have decided to build to avoid an area that has been getting repeated damage from heavy rain.  Since the storms of 2023, we have been having issues with the stream near the junction of the Taraire and the Riroriro tracks.  We have done some substantial remedial work on the area but each time there is a heavy rain there is more damage.  The best solution seemed to be to move the track up along a ridge over the stream that should be well out of the way of any future floods.  A previous team mapped out and blazed the new track and today we requested the Halter team to carry on to improve the track.

We carried the gear down to the work site and broke onto two smaller teams, each team working on either end of the new track section, with each section presenting different challenges.

The first team worked on the upstream section of the track which joins the existing track at the same level.  Their task was to clear and level the track and install side boards.

The first step was to trim away some overhanging vegetation to improve access to the work area.

They then went to work with spades, rakes and grubbers to widen and clear the new track section.

The track gradually started to take shape.

That meant that the team could start to install side boards.  We took measurements to determine how much timber would be needed and went down to the shed to collect it.

We brought down the planks and pegs, as well as step risers that the other team would need.

Once the materials were on site, the planks were set in place to get accurate measurements.

For some sections, the planks needed to be cut to size.

Once the team were satisfied with the positioning of the planks, they secured them in place with pegs.

The team carried on until their section of track was joined up with the work of the other team.

Once the planks were in place, the track surface was levelled out.

The second team worked on the other end of the new track.  This section presented different challenges because in order to get to higher ground, it was necessary to build a set of steps at the start of the track section. 

But before they started, they decided to try to salvage some of the timber that had been dislodged during the last flooding.  In addition to some of the original retaining planks, a totem pole installed by Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award students had also fallen down.  It had been at the end of the original bridge.

They carefully went down to the stream level and worked together to clear the area.

We really appreciate the team’s efforts.  Part of the flooding problems were caused by blockages from fallen material and clearing this area will really help with easing the water flows.  Also, in keeping with our ethos of being sustainable they decided to reuse some of the old planking for their step work.  A future team will re-install the totem pole later this year.

The team took some time to study the area to determine how many steps would be needed and how to space them properly.

Once they agreed on a plan, they went to work digging out the steps.

As the steps took shape, they installed side boards to prevent erosion.

After a test measure, the boards were cut to the proper size.  The first task was to take out the old pegs.

The risers for the steps were checked and test fitted for the side boards.

The board was cut to size.

And nailed in place.

The remaining risers were put in position.

And the remaining side boards were cut to size and the steps took shape.

The team also made friends with some of the locals, but this one can have a nasty bite so they kept it as spades-length!

There wasn’t enough time to finish nailing all the steps in place, but a future team will pick up where this team left off. 

Today was amazingly productive with both teams accomplishing a lot more than we expected.  As a result of a very wet winter, the teams had to contend with muddy conditions which made the work additionally challenging but they still managed to keep smiling and cheerful and effectively complete the track other than for some final touches. 

The team gathered up the gear and we headed back to the shed to clean up and relax over lunch.

Our many thanks to Drew for organising the team’s visit today and continued support. Drew we really value and appreciate your friendship, and look forward to your ongoing involvement with CUE Haven.

And a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone for all your hard work and efforts.  It was great chatting with you all and spending time with you and we also very much enjoyed working with you.  Thanks for your much valued contribution to CUE Haven.

We look forward to having you all out to CUE Haven soon to explore more of your community reserve with your family and friends. And back again with more of your colleagues for another productive and fun volunteer day!

THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!