Wetlands planting day
Published on 24 June 2025
A recent wetland planting day saw great collaboration between NZ Landcare, Bupa Retirement, Totara Grove Primary School and Council.
The organisations and groups worked together to plant 450 native trees on a wetland area in Tikipunga, near the Bupa retirement village. Mitre10 hardware store supplied a bundle of kids' sized spades and gardening gloves, and the children got stuck in.
Council's Parks Department representative Melinda Butt says "We were blown away by the children's attitudes. They were really into it, digging with fervour and determination. The residents at Bupa were great at guiding and supporting the students, and put in a lot of physical labour digging holes too.
"Everyone had a job to do whether it was to teach others, dig holes, prepare the plants or serve up the refreshments. It made for a very satisfying day for all involved.
"And together, they’ve made a lovely contribution that will benefit nature and the community for decades. Just as important, they've given young people a sense of kaitiaki (guardianship) for this place."