High Achievers: Thames Hospital staff scrub in

Thames Hospital staff scrub in with Hauraki rangers

By Maree Limpus, Community Ranger

Department of Conservation

In a break from their busy routines of looking after patients, 13 medical staff from Thames Hospital recently spent some time caring for nature.

They visited the Kauaeranga Visitor Centre on 21 May for a day of team building, planting over 100 trees and providing the impetus for a new section of the Kahikatea track to be constructed.

Our Hauraki staff were excited when the hospital team enquired about the team building day, as it provided a great opportunity to engage the Healthy Nature Health People initiative.

“This initiative embraces the fact connecting with nature has been shown to improve concentration, emotional functioning as well as buffering against stress, lowering cortisol levels (flight or fight response) and improve the immune system,” Maree says.

“It significantly improves mood, enhances wellbeing and provides greater life satisfaction. With the tough year health sector employees have had this was the perfect opportunity to work together for the benefit of all.”

The day for the hospital team started in the Kauaeranga Visitor Centre where they did some strategic planning in the peaceful surroundings. They then headed out into nature with one of our rangers to consider the diversity and the parallels which can be drawn between well-functioning teams and forests. While enjoying . the short Kahikatea track, there was time for the hospital staff to reflect on the diversity and their personal values – later shared as part of developing camaraderie, an important aspect of effective teamwork and a thriving community. The group also had the opportunity to stop and soak up the sights and song of the tūī swooping through the kahikatea trees and hear about some of the other wildlife interactions occurring in Coromandel’s forests.

The tree planting work made a small but important contribution to the management of the track and the wider valley, and the hospital team’s collective effort means children and other walkers are now diverted onto a new section of track complete with historic artefacts along its edge – avoiding having to use a stretch of road.

Heritage and visitors ranger Yvette Yule, who led the hospital staff in their planting and mulching activity, says she was impressed by how fast and effectively they worked.

“I was blown away by how much work they got through in such a short period of time and it was great working with such interested and

enthusiastic people,” Yvette says.

The feedback from the hospital staff at the end of the day was very positive with people appreciating their time in the peaceful and rejuvenating environment and Te Papa Atawhai staff were buzzing with what can be achieved for all when people work together in partnership.

“Everyone loved the day spent in the valley,” says Thames Hospital’s Janine Lee.

“The surroundings were conducive to our agenda, and the beauty and privacy provided the perfect backdrop to our day. We are still buzzing about the planting we accomplished and we look forward to returning to see the results. We’re very grateful to DOC for the use of their facilities and to Maree for her input, and for our department we now have a clear picture of how to improve our service.”

Opposie page above: In Kauaeranga

Valley, Coromandel Forest Park. Photo

by Kathrin Marks Above left: The Kauaeranga River in Coromandel Forest Park. Photo by

Russell Street Below left: The group who worked in the Hauraki ranges.

STAY SAFE IN THE OUTDOORS

TakeT a locator beacon with you y when you are hunting, hiking h or working anywhere remotere and make sure you will w be rescued quickly

SPECIAL ACR ResQLink PLB - 400 Only $485

Including P&P Comes with heavy duty pouch

Available for sale or hire

$15 - 1 day $30 - 3 days $40 - 7 days

$30 for every week after your first week of hire

Locator Beacons New Zealand 03 226 6341 or 027 412 2925 www.locatorbeacons.co.nz

WE-9025668AA

You can now view back issues of

Walking New Zealand magazine, two issues back from the latest, FREE at : http://issuu.com/walkingnewzealand.

FOOTSTEPS

TASMANIA DAY-WALKS TOUR

17 March – 10 April 2022

Ouch! Sore feet while walking?

Hikers Wool is 100% New Zealand wool. Cushion your feet to prevent pain, rubbing and blisters.

Buy online or at selected stockists

For more info visit www.hikerswool.co.nz

We welcome your enquiry: footstepsanz@gmail.com or phone 021 172 3244