The SFS Center for Rainforest Studies

During the New Zealand portion of the Rainforest Management Studies program, student accommodations will be at the Kiwanis Lodge for the majority of the two-week stay in country. The Lodge is a historic seaside campsite located within a Regional Park, adjacent to Huia Bay and the Waitakere Ranges, and a 45-minute drive from downtown Auckland. Kiwanis Lodge is situated close to several hiking trails through rainforests, meadows, and beaches. The camp includes cabins, which serve as student dorms, a kitchen and dining building, and the Hinge House, an 1890s mill manager’s house, along with plenty of outdoor space. Kiwanis is close to the Arataki Visitor’s Center, which is a hub for information on the history of the Ranges, its ecology, and recreational opportunities. Whatipu Beach, a spectacular, isolated beach and dune area where SFS students have assisted with several restoration plantings over the years is nearby. Sightings of unique birds, like the huge kereru and the vocal tui, are common and night walks from Camp bring sightings of glow worms, wetas, and other wildlife.