By Sarah Cox, Senior Brand/Campaign Advisor
The 2015 Conservation Week National Geocaching Challenge has been getting fantastic results as keen participants race to find the special caches hidden all over New Zealand.
The Clearwater family geocaching near Dunedin
DOC staff from Kaitaia in the north to Rakiura/Stewart Island in the south have been out hiding caches (containers) for members of the public to find. The challenge runs throughout Conservation Week and links perfectly to this year’s Healthy Nature, Healthy People theme.
The Hawke’s Bay staff get creative with their caches—DOC Hut replicas, all named after huts in the Kaweka Forest Park
The best thing about geocaching is its ability to encourage large numbers of people to get outside amongst nature.
The challenge has attracted nationwide attention from those completely new to geocaching, as well as those with lots of experience, and we’ve even been contacted out of the blue by people wanting to donate prizes!
A big thanks to our three main partners during the organisation phase. The Collective agreed to donate containers and Macpac and Air New Zealand have lined up some jaw-droppingly amazing prizes.
Check out the photos posted on Wildside New Zealand and see some of the feedback we’ve received so far:
“What a day, All Blacks win, and a cracking afternoon mopping up Arthur’s Pass DOC caches.” – Tony Sharpe
“Geocaching at Monckton Reserve Central Hawke’s Bay. Beautiful spot. Thanks for placing these caches. We can’t wait to find the rest!” – Amy Blakesly
Although the competition closes on Tuesday 10th November, the caches will remain in the wild so that the public can continue to hunt for them indefinitely.
A big thanks to all DOC staff around the country involved in creating, placing and logging caches for the competition, and to our three partners for helping make the challenge happen.
You can sign up for the National Geocaching Challenge and find out about other events and activities happening for Conservation Week on the DOC website.
Fantastic initiative to get people out and about and exploring our wonderland of nature 🙂