This all-day event, which ends with the Dam Release is perfect for the whole family.

Head up the Kauaeranga Valley to the Kauaeranga Visitor Centre (DoC) for all kinds of fun events.

All Day Activities

• Virtual Reality Kauri Experience (suitable for 8 years old and above)
• Prizes!
• Pukorokoro Shorebird Centre – who are our shoreline birds?
• Sausage Sizzle and ice blocks for sale
• Lawn maze quiz, colouring competition and more.

10:15 am Our Bats / Pekapeka

Discover fascinating facts about these local treasures with Landcare Trust NZ

11:00 am Live Gecko Encounter

Meet beautiful, secretive native geckos

12:00 pm Live Lunchtime Music

Relax on the lawn with Sean Kelly and his Celtic-flavoured music and craic.

1:45 pm The Kauri Dam Release

Bring a gold coin donation and join Thames Rotary for this exciting event. Yes, the dam gets released and all the water gushes through. The restoration of this damn was completed in partnership between Thames Rotary and DoC in 2020. Read more about that in this Valley Profile article.