On the 28th of January 2006 75 people began occupying Happy Valley in an effort to halt development of the mine. More than a year later, over 500 people have visited and the valley is still occupied.
Ongoing support
We need your ongoing support to maintain this occupation - whether it be by coming and camping with us, helping us with costs or donating food. Also check out our supporters of the occupation!
Considering Joining the Occupation? Fantastic! The Basics...
Essentially the occupation consists of a campsite in Happy Valley. Those occupying tramp into the Valley with their own supplies, camp out for as long as they wish and leave, taking out everything they brought in. You MUST contact the occupation coordinator before you go in (details below).
You can stay for as long or as short as you like. Many can only join us on weekends, or for a week, while others make extended stays - these arrangements are all OK.
The occupation is legal. The area of land being occupied is still public land and there are no legal ramifications for camping on this land. The Save Happy Valley Coalition has been occupying for over a year.
You will need to be a self-contained tramper. You must have adequate tramping gear to deal with wet, windy and cold storms, high rivers and no flash way of drying things at camp. You must also carry in a very waterproof tent and any food you expect you'll need for however long your stay will be. There is fresh water available at the final site in the Valley. Refer to our suggested list of gear to bring.
You will need a moderately rugged car. The route into the Valley is quite rough and requires sturdy transport. Alternatively, we may be able to coordinate your travel with others, and collect you in Westport. Please detail your transport situation when you contact us.
The tramp takes about 4 hours and it is necessary that you go in with a guide, at least for the first trip. This is because there is no track, and although the route is marked, it is easy to get lost unless you know where you are going.
There is a total fire ban in the valley, and all precautions must be taken when cooking. At the campsite the only cooking is in the kitchen tent with both extinguishers and water on hand. It is important to keep in mind the extreme fire risk present in Happy Valley. During summer, the Valley becomes exceptionally dry and fire poses a significant risk - all the more if you are trying to save the Valley!
Don't bring any animals with you. Save Happy Valley Coalition requires that NO dogs / cats / other pets are brought into the Valley or even onto the plateau. Do not bring any animal further than the residential area at Denniston.
Drug Policy: There are to be no illegal drugs brought into the valley-or at base camp. Small amounts of alcohol are acceptable, consumed at appropriate times.
You must let us know if you plan to join us. It is important we know who is coming so that we can prepare facilities, and arrange guides etc, as well as for safety reasons. We will also send you an email with the specific information you will need about the tramp and the campsite. Contact the occupation coordinator on 021 161 0929 or occupation@savehappyvalley.org.nz
Happy Valley Survival Gear list and Info sheet
During this autumn season, expect weather ranging from wet and very cold to hot and very sunny! FULL WET WEATHER and GOOD COLD WEATHER EQUIPMENT ARE STILL ESSENTIAL. Similarly, in fine weather you will find that there is not a lot of shade on the walk into, or around the camp. You may have to spend AT LEAST 3 hours out in the sun walking into or out of the occupation.
* WATERPROOF Rain coat
* Warm hat, gloves
* Tramping pack – with packliner/rubbish bag or everything in plastic bags
* Sleeping bag – we recommend a synthetic bag which is rated to about
0 degrees (or bring an extra blanket). Wrap it in its own plastic bag to keep it dry on the walk in
* Waterproof tent – unless you arrange to stay in the gher/yurt [sleeps 10 –
though is not consistently up] (if you hope to stay in the yurt, you need
to ask the occupation when you phone them later)
* 2 fleece, wool, poly-pro / polyester [NOT cotton] undershirts - ESSENTIAL
* 2 fleece, wool, poly-pro / polyester [NOT cotton] warm tops - ESSENTIAL
* Shirts for walking in. While cotton is fine for walking in on warm days, it has
no warming abilities at all. COTTON MEANS COLD.
* warm dry clothes for when you arrive at camp
* personal toilet gear (MUST be environmentally friendly)
* Water bottle (there is plenty of water on the way in which we think is safe to
drink)
* Sunblock
* A wide brimmed hat
* Sunglasses
* Anything else you need to make yourself comfortable and safe in hot and
sunny conditions.
Food
* energy/snack foods: e.g. chocolate, scroggin, muesli bars
* food for your stay: NOTE: You need to bring all meals that you require for your stay. [Food donations have been almost non-existant of late – let us know if you can help].
Recommended Gear:
* Sleeping mat/s
* Waterproof overtrousers, poly prop long johns/pants
* Torch and extra batteries
* Bring your own medication if required (there is a full first aid kit there).
* Gaiters
* Scarf
* 2 pairs of socks, and if you are staying longer than 1 night,
then an extra pair per day. Remember that cotton socks = COLD feet.
* camp shoes/gumboots/sandals
* Matches/lighter (there is a camp gas stove, so you wont need a cooker)
* Personal first aid kit (a good idea for whilst tramping in and out)
* If you have them, please bring cameras / video cameras
* Sun umbrellas (which may also double as rain umbrellas)
* Insect repellant
Things to adhere to when visiting Happy Valley
a) Please make sure you ONLY bring:
Unbleached toilet paper (SAFE is the best one available in Aotearoa)
Environmentally friendly toothpaste etc, only natural soap and other products (please no yucky soaps in waterways, no toxic detergents in the valley, etc)
b) Happy Valley is a pristine area - please think carefully about what you bring in (eg: try to avoid bringing glass in because it just needs to go out again). Carry all your rubbish out. There are careful procedures in place to ensure seeds do grow in the valley. Abide by the Department of Conservation Environmental Care Code. http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/summary.aspx?id=38531
c) It’s great to bring supplies in to contribute to the communal pool. Just think of others and don't leave rubbish or junk in there. Perhaps ask what the occupation requires when you phone them. All food donations are gratefully accepted by the occupation. Vegan chocolate is a good treat for the long term occupiers.
e) Be aware that river levels, due to high rain, may DELAY exit. Always make sure you, your group or guide have checked the weather/metservice forecast e.g. http://metvuw.com/forecast/ . If it’s been wet before you go in, check if rivers are up/ passable when you talk to the occupation. IF THERE IS HEAVY RAIN, IT IS MORE LIKELY THAT YOUR EXIT WILL BE DELAYED THAN MADE
EARLY - THIS DECISION WILL BE MADE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CAMP GUIDES who have to walk you out and then walk back in!
f) Electronics, cell phones etc need to be in a waterproof bag.
g) We do have some bits and pieces of spare gear, so if you need to borrow something, ask when you phone the occupation. Make this enquiry sooner rather than later.
Transport
Transport to valley: If you are driving in yourself you will need a moderately rugged car. Save Happy Valley Coalition currently has a 4WD station wagon that we are using. We can meet you in Westport or up on the plateau at Burnetts Face (organise this with co-ordinator or camp).
We will be making occasional trips to Westport during the week and we can work in pickups with these trips. When you contact the occupation coordinator on 021 161 0929 or occupation@savehappyvalley.org.nz to confirm a guide and all other details, you can outline your transport details and we will seek to accommodate them. A donation of $10 would be appreciated for fuel costs.
The more advance notice you can give the better. Please allow at least 5 days to give time for the coordinator to organise logistics and liase with yourself and the valley.
It is very important that people intending to camp at Happy Valley stick to their itinary. This is for a number of reasons:
1. Time, effort, and energy of people in Westport and the Valley
2. Rides from Westport: it takes an hour to drive from here to the start of the track
3. Someone has to walk all the way out to guide you in; this is a 3 hour walk, then 4 back in.
So, please stick to your plans. And if there is a really good reason to change them, please contact the occupation coordinator on 021 161 0929 or occupation@savehappyvalley.org.nz, giving as much notice as possible.
Directions
The road directions to the beginning of the track into Happy Valley are as follows:
Drive 15 minutes North from Westport on highway 67 to the township of Waimangaroa. From the turnoff continue straight ahead. The road curves to the right and after about 1km you begin the long and tortuous climb to the ghost town of Denniston on the coal plateau. Turn right when you get to the T junction at Denniston (you'll see a couple of old chimneys in front of you). Continue up the hill for about 1 km and take the narrow sealed road to Burnetts Face. If you arrive at the museum you've gone 100m too far.
You'll know you're at Burnetts Face 3 km later when you strike a large turnaround area of loose gravel. Continue along the very narrow shingle road, over the bridge, up through the cutting, past the old yellow gate, be alert for a bridge with a washout on the far side (its one of many small bridges), and navigate a couple of mud holes. You are now about 4 km past Burnetts Face.
Do not take the steep side road on the right. Proceed carefully over a muddy, rough section and 1 km later you'll arrive at the foot of a steep rise which stops most cars (there's an old corrie iron mine building on your left). Proceed up the rise for a few hundred meters and take the side road over little ditch on the left. If you've got your car this far, this is where you'll leave it unless you have full-on 4WD.
Donations
There are ongoing costs with the occupation and the campaign on the West Coast - in particular, keeping our long term occupiers well-fed and the camp equipment well maintained. If you can help by making an automatic payment, this would be greatly appreciated. Download the Automatic Payment form (PDF) or email us and we'll send one out to you. A regular donation of just $5 helps us out a lot!
Alternatively you can make a one-off donation. Cheques can be made out to “Occupation" and sent to
Save Happy Valley Campaign
PO Box 9263
Te Aro
Wellington
Direct transfers are also welcome. Our account details are:
Account name: Occupation
Account number: 38-9005-0017988-00
Food Donations
If you are considering making a much-needed food donation, please drop off at the Green Room, 16 Bedford Row, Christchurch. Office hours are 10am-2pm weekdays. The Green Room can be contacted on (03) 372 1375 or chchgreens@greens.org.nz. Non-perishables only please. Food donations are much appreciated!
Media
Save Happy Valley Coalition spokesperson
Frances Mountier
Phone: 021 175 7484
Supporters
Disclaimer
Please be aware that the track is only for experienced trampers, and you need to take full responsibility for your personal safety. Winter has arrived in Happy Valley so it is essential that you are thoroughly prepared. Finally, you must contact us before going on 021 161 0929 or occupation@savehappyvalley.org.nz..
