NIQ is the world’s leading consumer intelligence company.  They work with businesses in gathering and analysing data to improve understanding of consumer behaviour.

NIQ Auckland office staff have been coming the past four years for volunteering and team building at CUE Haven and they timed this year’s volunteer day to coincide with the company’s international recognition of Earth Day.

The team arrived first thing in the morning and included Andrew, Ethan, Karen, Lance, Mark, Milena, Phil, Piria, Riel, Ruta, Shawn and Travis.

Most of the team members had been to CUE Haven before so we spent some time catching up over morning tea and Mahrukh gave an overview of our current activities and plans.  Thomas then gave a safety briefing and a description of the work planned for the day.

The plan for the day was to continue work on improving an old section of walking track and to extend a small boardwalk into an area of the wetlands to gain better access for planting and maintenance. 

We broke into three teams and went to work.  Two teams worked on the track while the third tackled the boardwalk project.

The track teams worked on installing side boards on a set of steps which connect the Tirairaka and Tui tracks. 

The team carried the gear out to the work site.

The issue with the steps is that over the years, the ground has settled and the steps have moved out of alignment.  The task was to realign the steps and install side boards to improve the stability of the structure.  Previous teams had gotten a start on the project and the mission today was to continue lining the steps.

The team first needed to study the area to identify the alignment issues and come up with solutions. 

They trimmed back any vegetation in the way.

They identified a number of steps that were out of line or uneven and felt that the best solution would be to move the risers.  They dug out each one as necessary.

They installed a string line as a guide to determine the correct alignment of the steps.

Once they had a plan for relocating the steps, a lot of digging was required to enable the steps to be moved.

The steps were then repositioned. 

Timber was brought up for the side boards and cut to size.

The side boards were installed by nailing them to the risers.

They double checked measurements to ensure the side boards would be parallel.

The section the team managed to complete is a significant improvement and sets a high standard for future groups who will finish off the steps.

Great job, team!

The second team tackled the messy challenge of extending the boardwalk in the wetlands.

Because of recent rainfall events, the area is even wetter than normal and it had become very wet where the existing boardwalk section ended.  The team first had to determine the route for the extension and then clear the vegetation.

The plan was to first build a framework which would be secured into the ground and then to nail on the top boards.  The team brought up the timber they would need and then measured and cut the first side board.

Because they had decided to angle the new section off the existing boardwalk, the side boards would be different lengths.  They built part of the frame and positioned it so they could accurately measure the other side board.

They then cut the second side board.

Once the frame was prepared, it was carried to the site and positioned.

Once the frame was level and in position, it was secured with long pegs to prevent the boardwalk from moving.

Once the frame was secure, the team calculated how many top boards would be needed.  They cut the boards and nailed them in place. 

The angled section where the new boardwalk connects to the old was a challenge as each board had to be carefully measured and cut.

The boardwalk extension is a great enhancement to the wetlands and it will enable us to further develop and maintain this area.

 This shows the conditions the team were working in and the final result.

Great job team!

Both teams finished up about the same time and brought down all of the gear and cleaned up and put everything away and before relaxing over lunch.

Today was a fun and very productive day and we really enjoyed working with everyone and also enjoyed many interesting conversations.

Thank you to Phil for organising and many thanks to both Phil and Lance for championing CUE Haven at NIQ and their continued support.

And many many thanks to everyone for working so hard. We really appreciate your help. You all accomplished a lot and have made a major contribution to CUE Haven.

We very much look forward to your continued support and to seeing all of you again next year for another productive volunteer day. And hoping you will be back in spring /summer with your family to explore more of your community native reserve and show them your contribution to CUE Haven.

Thank You!! Thank You!!