75th airline anniversary programmeThe 75th Airline Anniversary Haast - 18th & 19th December 2009

Captain J.C. ‘Bert’ Mercer landing his de Havilland biplanes on the isolated
beaches of South Westland in the 1930s.Mercer’s Air Travel (NZ) Ltd airline not
only pioneered scheduled services and New Zealand’s fi rst regular airmail, but
introduced a versatile range of tourist alpine flying, freight and air-ambulance
work that all proved the relevance of aviation for ordinary Kiwis.
National celebrations at Hokitika on 17/18 December and Haast on 18/19
December will mark this important transport and social milestone. Vintage
de Havillands and many other aircraft will congregate from around New
Zealand for an event of international significance. For the first time in NZ skies
since the 1940s three historic Fox Moth aircraft are expected. “Joy-rides” will be
an apt description of flights available to the public in these beautiful aircraft.

For a printable programme of the weekend's events click here



Haast Summer Programme - The Department of Conservation in Association with the Haast Community

 

 Monday 

 Tuesday 

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

January 2010 - Click on an event to view details


 
Day Activity

 

11
Haast Tokoeka Kiwi Sanctuary

12
Jackson Bay Dolphins, Seals and Marine Conservation

14
Paringa Cattle Track

15

 

Evening Activity

 Day Activity

18

19
Paringa Cattle Track

20

21
Waiatoto
Jet Boat Safari

22
Kiwi Working Dogs

Evening Activity
DVD at Visitor Centre
Hapuka Estuary Track
DVD at Visitor Centre

 Day Activity

 

25
Haast Tokoeka Kiwi Sanctuary

28
Paringa Cattle Track

29
Waiatoto Jet Boat Safari

Evening Activity

 February 2010- Click on an event to view details

 Day Activity

1

2
Paringa Cattle Track

3

4
Waiatoto Jet Boat Safari

5
Kiwi Working Dogs

Evening Activity DVD at Visitor Centre  

Hapuka Estuary Track

DVD at Visitor Centre  

 Day Activity

8
Haast Tokoeka Kiwi Sanctuary

10

11

Jackson Bay Dolphins, Seals and Marine Conservation

12

 

Evening Activity DVD at Visitor Centre   Alpine Fault and the Geology of the Southern Alps Edge of the Ditch  

Daytime Activities: For further details about these trips please contact the Haast Visitor Centre on 03 7500809.

  HAAST TOKOEKA KIWI SANCTUARY

Monday 11th January - 10.00 am     Monday, 25th January - 10.00 am     Monday, 8th February - 10.00 am

Accompany DOC Rangers into the Haast Tokoeka Kiwi Sanctuary. Fly to the top of the sanctuary to experience the amazing aerial view of the sanctuary and surrounding area before walking down (approx 5-6 hours). During the day the DOC Ranger will give you an insight into the work involved in saving our Kiwi.
The walk down from the top of the sanctuary is steep at places and a good level of fitness and sturdy footwear (boots) are required. In addition, you should be prepared for wet and cold weather and have appropriate clothing as well as water and a packed lunch.

Departure will be from the Kiwi Sanctuary, Jackson Bay Road, Arawhata River Bridge (north side), and you should report to the helicopter pilot or DOC staff member on site at 9.30 am.

This event is weather dependent and may need to be cancelled on the day. Please contact the Haast Visitor Centre by 6.00 pm the day before to determine whether this excursion will go ahead as planned.

Flight bookings essential on - www.scenic-flights.co.nz or call 0800 800793
Flight cost $85.00 to $110.00 per person depending on numbers.

Contact the Haast Visitor Centre for more details on 037500809.
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  KIWI WORKING DOGS

Friday, 22nd January - 5.00 pm     Friday, 5th February - 5.00 pm

Blair and his dog Tussock will take you into the Haast Kiwi Sanctuary and show you how working dogs in DOC help find kiwi. Blair will also inform you about the work that DOC does in the sanctuary to save the rare kiwi tokoeka species. It is unlikely that you will see any Kiwi, however you will learn about this elusive predominantly night time feeder.
This trip will take 3 plus hours and is on relatively flat terrain. Sturdy footwear (boots) is required and appropriate clothing for cold and/or wet weather may be necessary.
Numbers for this trip will be limited and interested people will be required to meet at the Kiwi Sanctuary, Jackson Bay Road, Arawhata River Bridge (north side) and you should report to the DOC staff member on site at 4.30 pm.
Directions are also available at the Haast DOC Visitor Centre.

This event is weather dependent and may need to be cancelled on the day. Please contact the Haast Visitor Centre by 12.00 pm on the day, to determine whether this excursion will go ahead as planned.

Bookings Essential - for more information or to confirm your place on this excursion contact the Haast Visitor Centre on 037500809.
Cost - A $10.00 per person or $30.00 per family donation to the Haast Kiwi Programme would be very welcome.
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  JACKSON BAY DOLPHINS, SEALS AND MARINE CONSERVATION


Tuesday, 12th January - 10.00 am     Thursday, 11th February - 10.00 am

Join Bob & Mauryne Cannell with DOC expert on marine life, Don Neale on this 3 hour boat cruise for the Jackson Bay marine experience. See seals, penguins (seasonal) and dolphins in their natural environment of Jackson Bay. This excursion will amaze and inform you and your whole family of the history, culture and biodiversity of the Jackson Bay area.

This excursion is weather dependent and may need to be cancelled on the day. Please contact the Haast Visitor Centre by 8.30 am on the day, to determine whether this excursion will go ahead as planned.

Departure is from the Jackson Bay wharf at 10.00am. Please report no later than 9.45am.
Bookings essential through - www.roundabouthaast.co.nz or call 03750 0890
Cost $110.00 per adult and $60.00 for school going children.
Contact the Haast Visitor Centre for more details on 037500809.
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  HAPUKA ESTUARY TRACK


Every Wednesday from 13th January - 3rd February starting at 5.00 pm -7.00 pm

A number of DOC staff will be on hand to make this one hour walk interesting and informative for young and old. You will more than likely learn something about biodiversity of the area. The main aspects to this walk include; tidal, fresh water, birds, plants and forests.

This event is weather dependent and may need to be cancelled on the day. Please contact the Haast Visitor Centre on the day, to determine whether this excursion will go ahead as planned.


No booking required.
Cost: Donations welcome.
Contact the Haast Visitor Centre for details on 03 7500809
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  PARINGA CATTLE TRACK

Thursday, 14th January - 10.30 am   Tuesday, 19th January - 10.30 am   Thursday, 28th January - 10.30 am
Tuesday, 2nd February - 10.30 am

Go back in time to experience the life of the cattle farmers before there were roads. Join a DOC Ranger and learn about this historic cattle track which was first used in 1875. Bring a packed lunch and enjoy the beauty and solitude at the Blue Hut before the leisurely walk out while experiencing the unique flora and fauna of this valley.
The walk in is about an hour one way and including a 45-60 minute lunch break the trip will last approximately 3 hours.
Please ensure that you wear sturdy footwear and bring warm clothing and a rain jacket for this trip.

Meet at 10.15 am at the northern end of the start of the Paringa Cattle Track (about 40km north of the Haast) between Lake Moeraki and Lake Paringa on State Highway 6. The start of the track is marked by a DOC sign which reads "Cattle Track" and a car parking area exists on the side of the road.

This event is weather dependent and may need to be cancelled on the day. Please contact the Haast Visitor Centre by 8.30 am on the day, to determine whether this excursion will go ahead as planned. Booking required through the Haast Visitor Centre on 03 7500809
Cost: Donation
Contact the Haast Visitor Centre for more details on 03 75 00809
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  WAIATOTO JET BOAT SAFARI

Thursday, 21st January - 10.00 am     Friday, 29th January - 10.00 am     Thursday, 4th February - 10.00 am

Experience jet boating up the Waiatoto River - a remote valley of the Mt Aspiring National Park. Waiatoto River Safaris provide a unique sea to mountains experience with a professional river guide and a DOC Ranger who will share their knowledge of the area from both a historical and conservation point of view.
A packed lunch will be provided by the Waiatoto River Safaris, which will be eaten at a suitable spot along the river followed by a short walk.
Ensure that you have warm clothing, waterproof jacket, sturdy footwear for walking and your camera.
This trip will take about 3.5 hours inclusive of lunch and will leave at 10.00am from the Waiatoto River Bridge (southern side) on the Jackson Bay Road. Report your arrival at the red, yellow and blue office (at the Waiatoto River Bridge) no later than 9.30am for a safety briefing and lifejackets before boarding the custom built safari craft at 10.00am.

Booking is essential on: www.riversafaris.co.nz or call 0800 538 723
Cost: Adult $159.00
Children $139.00
Contact the Haast Visitor Centre on 03 7500809 for details
Department of Conservation - Haast Visitor Centre
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Evening Activities: For further details about these activities please contact the Haast Visitor Centre 03 7500809

  60 MINUTES WEST OF YESTERDAY - A SUBANTARCTIC PLUNGE TO THE ANTIPODES AND BOUNTY ISLANDS

Monday evening 11th January - 7.00 pm

Join DOC's own West Coast marine expert, Don Neale, as he gives an amazing presentation - "60 Minutes West of yesterday - a sub Antarctic plunge to the Antipodes & Bounty Islands" which is about an underwater expedition to two of New Zealand's least-visited wild places.

Contact the Haast Visitor Centre for details on 03 7500809
Cost: Donations welcome
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  THE EDGE OF THE DITCH - BENEATH THE WEST COAST WAVES


Tuesday evening 12th January - 7.00 pm     Thursday evening 11th February - 7.00 pm

Join DOC's own West Coast marine expert, Don Neale, as he gives an amazing presentation - "The Edge of the Ditch - beneath the West Coast Waves" which is a slideshow exploring the fascinating underwater world of South Westland's spectacular coastline.

Contact the Haast Visitor Centre for details on 03 7500809
Cost: Donations welcome
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  HISTORY AND FAUNA AND FLORA DVD NIGHTS


Monday evening - 18th& 25th January, and 1st & 8th February - 7.00 pm
Thursday evening - 21st January and 4th February - 7.00 pm

A range of interesting nature related (fauna and flora) DVD's relevant to the area will be shown. Details of the DVDs will be available at the Haast Visitor Centre.

Contact the Haast Visitor Centre for details on 03 7500809
Cost: Donations welcome
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  The Alpine Fault and Geology of the Southern Alps


Wednesday evening, 10th February - 7.00 pm

This presentation by Dr Simon Cox, Geologist at GNS Science in Dunedin, will explain the fault line along the West Coast, how it forms our Southern Alps, and why we should expect and plan for a big earthquake in the area.

Visitors are welcome to bring any interesting rocks or stones from the area for Dr Simon Cox to look at and comment on.

Contact the Haast Visitor Centre for details on 03 7500809
Cost: Donations welcome
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Department of Conservation - Haast Visitor Centre 2010 Summer Programme
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