Getting convicted offenders to undertake their community work sentences at the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park is a 'win win” says Department of Conservation ranger Steve Tempero.
Over the past two months about 50 offenders have contributed more than 3800 hours of conservation work in the Kaimai Mamaku Forest; principally restoring the walking tracks there.

The Kaimai Ranges.

Each day the workers walked about 10 kilometres completing a range of labour intensive jobs such as lifting building materials, manually removing weeds, planting native trees and clearing hazardous debris off the walking tracks.
Steve describes the work as a 'win win” for the community and the offenders.
'The offenders have done an excellent job helping us to renovate the walking tracks. It wasn't an easy job, but they arrived each day with a great attitude and just got stuck into it,” says Steve.

'I've also been really blown away with the changes I've seen in these guys throughout the project. They became more and more motivated to learn and took pride in their work, knowing it would be enjoyed by everyone using the tracks this summer.”

Community Probation and Psychological Services Waiariki Area Manager Pauline Moran says that more conservation work could be on the horizon due to the successful partnership between Corrections and the Department of Conservation.
Pauline says Community Work is a great way for offenders to make amends for their behaviour.
'The Tauranga project has been such a great success for both the offenders and the community. We look forward to continuing our work with the Department of Conservation to provide meaningful work for offenders that benefit the community.”