University of Canterbury Student Volunteers Make a Difference on the West Coast

From Friday, September 20, to Sunday, September 22, these dedicated volunteers stayed at the scenic Lake Brunner Motor Camp, which graciously provided excellent facilities with stunning views of the lake.

On Saturday, the students split into three enthusiastic teams, embarking on meaningful projects that aimed to support the local community and environment. One group partnered with the Paparoa Wildlife Trust at the Atarau Sanctuary Kiwi Crèche, where they engaged in planting and weed control efforts, as well as maintaining the predator-proof fence through cleaning and repairs. Another team collaborated with Conservation Volunteers NZ for a productive planting day, thanks to the invaluable support of the Punakaiki team. Their efforts contributed significantly to local biodiversity, helping to restore the natural habitat. Meanwhile, a third group focused on the Lake Brunner Scenic Trail, where they reshaped and repaired the track, planted trees, and enhanced the area’s accessibility for future visitors.

Sunday saw the students lending their hands to Lake Brunner School, where they undertook a variety of tasks that included moss removal on the school fence, cleaning school vans, sanding railings in need of a fresh coat of paint, creating a play car track for the children, moving mulch, and pruning trees. Their hard work helped to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for students to thrive.

The weekend was a tremendous success, filled with fun, hard work, and a deep sense of purpose. The volunteers expressed immense gratitude to the West Coast community for their warm welcome and the passionate individuals they met along the way. It was an unforgettable experience that highlighted the power of teamwork and community spirit.

A special thank you also goes to the University of Canterbury for their generous support and sponsorship, which made this camp possible. Their commitment to fostering volunteerism empowers the students at UC to make a real difference in the communities they serve. The SVA wouldn’t be able to function without the support from UC.

The UC SVA organises two camps per year around the South Island, some recently being in Marlborough, Twizel and Kaikoura among others. Additionally, they host small- and large-scale events every weekend during the university year, accept requests from individuals in the community that are in need of support, facilitate secondary school leadership development opportunities, and contribute to disaster response. For example, they recently fundraised over $2,200 for the Wairoa community in response to the Wairoa Hawkes Bay floods. All of these events are organised by an exec team of 25 students.

As the students returned to their studies, they carried with them not only memories of the breathtaking landscapes of Lake Brunner but also the profound impact of their collective efforts on the local community. The UC Student Volunteering Army looks forward to future opportunities to give back and continue building strong connections within New Zealand’s vibrant communities.

Specific people to thank

• Paparoa Wildlife Trust at the Atarau Sanctuary Kiwi Crèche
• Conservation Volunteers NZ Punakaiki team
• Lake Brunner Scenic Trail
• Lake Brunner Motor Camp
• Lake Brunner School
• University of Canterbury
• President of the UC SVA Rosemary Yorke “I’m super grateful for the community in Grey District for their hospitality, the student volunteers from the University of Canterbury had a fantastic time and were touched by the opportunity to give back”
• The Events team who organised the event – Connor Grant, Georgia Gwatkin, Johann Torres, Cameron Smith