Volunteers form Predator Free Cambridge walking down a path in Karapiro

Together, we care for Cambridge, New Zealand, with Aroha

Aroha Cambridge is committed to restoring nature and community wellbeing through five interconnecting goals

People - Unite and empower our community with shared purpose

Predators - Remove invasive predators from the Cambridge area

Plants - Restore our land by replacing weeds with native plantings

Water - Keep our waterways clean and healthy

Birds - Protect and encourage the return of native birdlife

Aroha Cambridge exists for the people of the broader Cambridge area. Our mission is to protect and restore the natural environment of our region for generations to come.

Volunteer Hours Logged

2,507

Keep in touch

Want to keep up to date with the latest from us?
Sign up for our newsletter.

Instagram @arohacambridge

Curious about what Aroha Cambridge is all about? Need some support from our shed and public trapline coordinators? Come down to the Aroha Cambridge Base this Sunday 19th July, 9:30am – 11:00am for an open morning with the team. All welcome. David, Keith and the shed team will be on hand, so it's the perfect chance to get your burning questions answered - whether you need help with a trap, want to know how to get involved, or are just keen to find out more about what we do. Pop in for a cuppa, have a go at the rat toss game, and connect with other locals helping to protect our native wildlife. Everyone's welcome - no need to book, just come on down!
View More
Volunteer Spotlight - Karapiro Gully The Karapiro Gully Trapline is driven by two volunteers with different stories but a shared purpose: protecting New Zealand’s unique environment. David Griffith (our shed manager) and Berty Salmi (trustee) reflect both the long history and the future of community conservation. David began trapping in the 1960s as a teenager south of Nelson, when pest control was both practical and a source of income through possum skins. After years overseas, he returned with a deep appreciation for New Zealand’s environment and rejoined trapping in 2013, later becoming involved with Predator Free Cambridge in 2017. Over time, he has seen methods shift from gin traps and hunting to today’s more humane, conservation-focused approach. Berty, who started trapping in 2020, was motivated by a desire to spend time outdoors with his children and give back to the community. He’s already noticing the difference, spotting more tūī and quail on his walks. For him, the highlight is simple: seeing a kingfisher, his favourite bird. Both volunteers value the special character of Karapiro Gully - a secluded, beautiful space with winding channels and oxbow lakes, set surprisingly close to urban and industrial areas. Nearby, Lake Te Koo Utu offers more community interaction, where David often meets locals and visitors along his trapline. From decades of experience to fresh enthusiasm, David and Berty show how small, consistent efforts can make a real difference. Together, they’re helping restore Karapiro Gully into a thriving space for both wildlife and people.
View More
🎉 Over 10,000 PESTS GONE – WHAT A MILESTONE, CAMBRIDGE! 🎉 We are absolutely thrilled to share that earlier this year Aroha Cambridge volunteers hit the milestone mark of over 10,000 pests removed from Cambridge! 🪤🌿 That's 10,000 fewer rats, possums, stoats and other predators threatening our precious native birds and wildlife. Every single trap checked, every line walked, every early morning – it all adds up to safer nests, more chicks fledging, and more birdsong ringing out across our town. 🐦💚 This milestone belongs to our incredible volunteers. Rain or shine, week in and week out, you've turned up for our taiao – and it's working. We marked the occasion in true style at our volunteer celebration – with cake (pictured), of course! 🍰 10,000 pests definitely earns a slice or two! #ArohaCambridge #PredatorFree #10000Pests #Cambridge #Waikato #Volunteers #BringingBackTheBirdsong
View More
Our first month of winter has delivered another big result, taking us to just over 2,400 catches for the year so far. This month's standout was one of our newly installed AT220s in our Karapiro Gully Line, which made 27 catches — 26 rats and 1 possum.
View More
💛 Celebrating Our Amazing Volunteers! 💛 Last Sunday, we had the absolute pleasure of hosting a special celebration at our local Community Marae to honour the incredible volunteers who give their time, energy, and effort to our community. Our volunteers are the backbone of everything we do — and this was our chance to say a huge THANK YOU. There was kai, laughter, tricks and tip sharing, spot prizes and an update from our board, all which resulted in a real sense of connection in the room. To every one of our volunteers: your generosity makes a real difference, and we're so grateful for each of you. Ngā mihi nui! 🙏 Interested in joining our volunteer team? Register via our website — we'd love to hear from you! Link in our Bio
View More
Our May stats are live! Look at all those predators removed thanks to our volunteers in May. Bringing our total for the year so far to 2016!
View More
Join us for our first Community Planting Day! Come along for a great day of planting in the extension area of our wonderful Te Puna Marama Moonspring. We are aiming to plant 1200 plants, and hope you can come along to join in the fun. Bring the whanau as this is a family friendly event. Saturday 6th June 9am - 11am, meeting 8:45am onsite. Location - onsite at the Moonspring Extension area, on the public path going from Resthaven Village Centre down to the river. Off Vogel Street. Details and RSVP via our website to confirm your place, link in our bio. If you have any queries please feel free to reach out via email - connect@arohacambridge.nz
View More
Join us for our first Community Planting Day! Come along for a great day of planting in the extension area of our wonderful Te Puna Marama Moonspring. We are aiming to plant 1200 plants, and hope that you can come along to join in the fun. Bring the whanau as this is a family friendly event. Location - onsite at the Moonspring Extension area, on the public path going from Resthaven Village Centre down to the river. Off Vogel Street. Details and RSVP via our website to confirm your place, link in our bio. If you have any queries please feel free to reach out via email - connect@arohacambridge.nz
View More