Planting for the Future in Auckland

A Rocha in Auckland recently planted 2000 native trees with over two hundred volunteers involved over two days in Unsworth Reserve, on the North Shore. Great news for local bird-life and water quality!

Key to the success of the day was the collaboration with other organisations – local environment centre Kaipatiki Project, iwi-based business Okahu Rakau and Auckland Council’s Wai Care.  Participants came from an incredible range of backgrounds – a real estate agency, local residents, youth organisations, international tertiary students, members of local churches, and a number of community restoration groups, including A Rocha.  The diversity of cultures and spread of ages was a highlight of the planting days.

Each planting day began with a prayer for safety and fun and a request for God’s blessing on the plants.  The planting itself was guided on-site by students of Kaipatiki Project’s planting coordinator course.  The plants were grown in the backyard of A Rocha team member Nicholas Mayne and the Kaipatiki Project.  As the young trees were planted A Rocha Auckland co-leader John Staniland and Okahu Rakau leader Char Waipo shared with volunteers the importance of the plants they were planting – which would provide fruit for birds in the future and nectar for nectar-feeding birds.  “We’re hopeful for the future of the trees, the birds that will find homes in them and the water quality of Alexandra Stream which runs through the reserve”, John Staniland said. “We’re also thankful for the large-turn out of young people and the opportunity to be involved in the developing of young environmental leaders who will continue to care for this place into the future.”