Growing Future Kaitiaki: Connecting Tamariki, Community and Nature Restoration in Puhoi
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
At Restore Rodney East, we believe that restoring our natural environment is about more than planting trees — it is about creating connections between people, place, and nature.
One of the most rewarding parts of our mahi is supporting opportunities where communities can come together, where tamariki can learn through hands-on experiences, and where partnerships can create lasting environmental change.
Recently, we were proud to work alongside Trees for Survival, Auckland Council Local Parks, and Nukumea School on a restoration planting day at Puhoi Early Settlers Memorial Reserve.
Under beautiful blue skies beside the Puhoi River, Year 3 and 4 students from Nukumea School rolled up their sleeves and planted native trees they had carefully grown as part of the Trees for Survival programme. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and care for the environment were inspiring.
This planting project is a great example of the kind of collaborative restoration we value at Restore Rodney East. The work at Puhoi Memorial Park is helping to strengthen the native buffer planting along the river, support biodiversity, improve flood resilience, and reduce sediment entering the waterway.
But the benefits go far beyond the trees themselves.
Days like this provide tamariki with the opportunity to connect with nature, understand the importance of healthy ecosystems, and see that they can make a real difference in the places they live. These young environmental stewards were not just planting trees — they were helping create a legacy for their community.
The students carefully planted each tree, learning about correct planting techniques and the importance of giving each plant the best possible start. Their very important “pūkeko tests” ensured their trees were securely planted and ready for their new home!
For Restore Rodney East, this is what community restoration is all about — bringing together the knowledge, skills, and passion of different groups to achieve more together.
We are proud to help connect:🌱 Schools and tamariki, who bring energy, curiosity, and a willingness to care for the environment🌱 Environmental organisations like Trees for Survival, who provide opportunities for practical learning and restoration🌱 Auckland Council Local Parks, who support planning, site preparation, and long-term care of our public spaces🌱 Local communities, who become guardians of the places they live
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this planting day such a success — Dan from Auckland Council Local Parks for preparing the site, Trees for Survival for supporting this fantastic school programme, Nukumea School students and teachers for their enthusiasm, and everyone involved in making the day run smoothly.
At Restore Rodney East, we are passionate about creating opportunities where people can connect with nature, learn together, and take meaningful action. By supporting partnerships like this, we are helping grow not only native forests, but also a future generation of kaitiaki who understand the importance of protecting and restoring our environment.
Together, we are restoring Rodney East — one connection, one community, and one tree at a time.
Read the full report here:
