Building skills. Restoring nature. Strengthening communities
Te Ara Hīkoi is a community conservation trust that brings people together to restore nature, protect native biodiversity, and create pathways for local training, employment, and community-led environmental action across Franklin and north Waikato.
Whether you're trapping in your backyard, restoring a stream, managing a farm, or leading a local conservation group, Te Ara Hīkoi is here to help.
We connect people, resources, knowledge and funding to support practical conservation action across Franklin and north Waikato.
How would you like to get involved?
Find your place
Restoring nature is a journey best tackled together. Across Franklin and north Waikato, from the coast to the countryside, farms to backyards, people are taking action to protect native wildlife and restore the land. Whether you're just getting started or already involved, Te Ara Hīkoi is here to support you every step of the way.
East Franklin
Friends of Te Wairoa (Ararimu, Paparimu, Hunua, Ness Valley & Clevedon)
OK Pest Free (Orere, Orere Point, Kawakawa Bay)
Turanga Restoration Project (part of Predator Free Whitford)
West Franklin
The CREST (Clarks Beach, Waiau Pa, Seagrove & Taihiki)
Whakaupoko Landcare (Pukeoware, Mauku, Patumahoe, Puni)
North Waikato
Awaroa Ki Karioitahi Landcare (Karioitahi, Otaua, Maioro, Whiriwhiri)
Aka Aka (& the islands of the lower Waikato River)
What we do
Predator control
Helping Franklin communities work towards a predator-free future through traps, training, support, and data tools.
Pest plants
Supporting landowners and volunteers to identify, prioritise, and remove invasive plants threatening our native ecosystems.
Regeneration
Guiding communities through planting, restoration, biodiversity monitoring, and long-term landscape recovery.
Employment
Providing nature-based employment pathways for locals, especially rangitahi, while benefiting community conservation projects.
140,000
hectares
3,275
volunteers
25
community conservation groups
Kererū | Wood Pigeon
Our stories
Our stories showcase what's possible when communities are supported to take action. Through predator control, habitat restoration, and collaboration, local efforts are creating measurable gains for native biodiversity across Franklin.
Our partners
We're proud to work alongside organisations that share our commitment to thriving ecosystems, resilient communities, and a healthier future for our region.
Te Ara Hīkoi empowers communities across Franklin to protect and restore nature through predator control, habitat restoration, pest plant management, and conservation education.
