It’s Conservation Week from 15-23 September. Conservation Week is run by DOC to encourage people to get involved in nature and inspire them to help take care of it. There are heaps of ways to get involved in Conservation Week, including attending a local Conservation Week event, organising your own activity or donating to an existing conservation programme.

At QEII we decided to get stuck in to an old favourite of ours – Taupō Swamp. This was our second visit to the swamp this year, last time we visited in March for World Wetlands Day.

On our visit for Conservation Week, we spent our time weeding and planting new native plants around the Taupō Swamp sign.

We plan on returning at least once a year to deal to those weeds. Next time you’re travelling on State Highway 1 North of Plimmerton, look out for Taupō Swamp.

Back at the office we also got stuck into a feast – with a Conservation Week twist! We had several treats but most notably these two creations; a kiwi shaped chocolate cake, complete with orange peel feet and huhu grub bites. Not to be confused with real huhu grubs – these were made from haloumi, puff pastry and olives. Delicious!

Find out more about Conservation Week and the events near you on the DOC website here.