Wellington Environmentalist of the Year 2017, Kelvin Hastie, and Waikato University's Dr Carolyn King are the keynote drawcards at this year's Regional Environment Network Hui.

The hui, this Saturday at The Orchard in Te Puke, is jointly coordinated by Envirohub and New Zealand Landcare Trust with the aim of sharing knowledge and innovative ideas with people volunteering and working on conservation projects.

Engaging communities of backyard rat trappers into predator control projects in reserve areas will be the focus of Kelvin's presentation, while Dr King will be sharing her research on what history can teach us when it comes to working towards Predator Free 2050.

As well as the focus on predator control the hui will feature workshops on Social Enterprise, Environmental Education Programmes, Weed control, Health and Safety and more.

Staff from Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Department of Conservation, Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Bay Conservation Alliance will be contributing their expertise alongside businesses involved with supporting conservation groups.

New Zealand Landcare Trust BOP Regional Coordinator Janie Stevenson says the Bay of Plenty already has over 60 environmental care groups, and that number is climbing fast.

'This Hui will be a great opportunity for these groups to gain new ideas and share their tried and true techniques with others.”

Demonstrations of exciting new technology will be an additional highlight of the hui, she says.

'The newly imported Hot Grass electric weed control machine and the Mink Police Wi-Fi connected trapping devices will be of particular interest to those looking at new innovations that are currently being used internationally.”

The Regional Environment Network Hui is this Saturday at The Orchard in Te Puke, 9.30am – 3pm. Tickets are $10, including morning tea and lunch. To register for the event, email admin@envirohub.org.nz.