Work goes on in the wet

Miserable cold wet weather did nothing to dampen the spirits and enthusiasm of a group of international student volunteers who arrived in Kaikoura last week for some outdoor work.

The 10 students, plus one leader, are from America and Canada and have been working alongside Kevin Cole, from the Trees for Travellers programme, and Kaikoura District Council biodiversity officer Jodie Denton.

Days one and two were spent working for Trees for Travellers on site maintenance.

Last Monday the group tidied up the Jimmy Armers site where 600 trees had previously been planted.

They cleared the area and spent much of the day weeding.

The following day they worked on the Aranehu Track by the cemetery, replacing trees, weeding and generally clearing the area to allow the trees to grow properly.

By the time Wednesday came the group were well adjusted to the rain and cold, and were also well on board with the Trees for Travellers concept.

They spent the whole day planting 500 trees with Department of Conservation staff, plus tree grower Doug Hockey, who provided all the trees.

The trees were planted along the South Bay end of the peninsula walkway, with the idea of creating a woodland corridor along that section of the track.

Mr Cole spent the day with them and said they had put in an amazing effort considering the terrible weather.

"I take my hat off to them," he said.

"They absolutely worked their socks off and their work couldn't be faulted.

"They weren't cutting corners despite the terrible conditions."

The group have also been busy tidying up the beach and the creek with a morning's rubbish collection, followed by four days work on a new pathway between Jimmy Armer's Beach and the seal colony.

Ms Denton said the students had worked incredibly hard throughout their visit.

"They have done a primo job," she said.

"I haven't heard any whinging or complaining which is great considering the weather we've had they've just got on with it."

As well as all the hard work the students put in, they did manage to get out to experience a little of what Kaikoura has to offer besides wintry weather, joining Maurice Manawatu on a Maori Tour.

They have also attended two talks during the last week: a huttons shearwater talk by DOC's Mike Morrissey and a presentation on blue penguins by resident expert Lindsay Rowe.

- The Marlborough Express