Anna Regtien has been passionate about nature from a very early age and her role as Manawatū Forest and Bird’s Kiwi Conservation Club (KCC) Coordinator is a logical extension of this.

KCC is a national initiative that works to connect Kiwi kids to New Zealand’s amazing wildlife and wild places. KCC has over 5,000 members throughout Aotearoa New Zealand and offers an engaging quarterly magazine and locally based opportunities for kids and families to get outside and engage with nature.

Anna’s father was a KCC coordinator when she was young, and as a teenager she herself helped out with the local Kapiti coast KCC.  Anna notes, ‘ my main motivator for taking on the Manawatū based role is wanting my kids to go on the adventures I did... I love showing kids about nature and  seeing the excitment that they show, and I learn a huge amount as well’.  Anna has been in the role for about a year after 6 years of the position being vacant and feels that its ‘so great to have it back’. Over the last 12 months she has run various popular excursions including a  stream study, a night walk to look for glow worms, a project building rat traps, an excursion to Foxton to look  for godwits at the Manwatū Estuary,  plus visits to Wildbase, Ngā Manu and Bushy Park. Events planned for this year include a walk through Te Apiti, camping at Totara Reserve, and a local beach clean up

Anna encourages famlies to join KCC which entitles them to go on these trips.’ For families who want to get their kids outdoors and into nature and learning stuff- please join’ she notes, ‘ Excursions can be for any age- they are geared for ages  5-10, but we  take preschoolers or older children too – there is something for everyone’ .

To find out more about and join KCC go to kcc.org.nz or email Anna on manawatu@kcc.org.nz

KCC is a member group of Environment Network Manawatū. Find out more on www.enm.org.nz.