Many hands make light work…
Never has the old saying rung more true than on Arbor Day, when around 150 enthusiastic volunteers and staff from the local community, Paparore School, the Department of Conservation, Bushland Trust, FNR Forestry, and Summit Forests gathered for a planting day at Lake Little Gem, Waipapakauri. This event marked the 15th annual Arbor Day planting at the site — celebrated with a record-breaking effort: 1,400 eco-sourced seedlings planted in just 45 minutes.
Nestled between Lake Ngatu, Te Hiku Forest, and Te Oneroa-a-Tōhe/Ninety Mile Beach, the Lake Little Gem site is part of a broader effort to restore both the ecological and recreational values of the whenua. Led by Summit Forests, and supported by the local community, the project is a shining example of kaitiakitanga in action.
“This is a positive and fun learning experience for our children,” said Karen Lucich, Environmental Planner for Summit Forests. “The community can feel a sense of pride and connection to this mahi. Summit appreciates the support, which makes this such a special day. We want the community to utilise the walking tracks and enjoy this space.”
Summit Forests contributes $10,000 annually to restoration efforts at Lake Little Gem. This includes site preparation, weed control, track maintenance and seedlings. The eco-sourced seedlings – including Kānuka, Houpara, Mānuka, Harakeke, Tī kōuka, Wharangi, and Pigeonwood – are grown by the Bushland Trust at Kaitaia Intermediate School. It is fantastic to partner with local schools and the community for the planting. Paparore School has been the main contributor to this mahi over the years. Site preparation begins in March, with weed control, releasing earlier plantings and mowing the walking track.
Tāwhirimātea (the weather god) was kind to us — after heavy rain, we were gifted a stunning sunny winter morning for the planters, aged from pre-schoolers to grandparents. FNR Forestry lent us the right tools for the job, and to top it all off, the Department of Conservation provided a delicious BBQ – a well-earned reward for everyone’s mahi.
While Lake Little Gem might be Summit Forests’ most enjoyable restoration effort, it’s not the only one. Later this season, 2,300 seedlings will be planted at Te Raite Wetland in Te Hiku Forest, and another 1,400 at Adamson Forest in Taipa. These projects provide essential habitat for native species, including the Nationally Critical Australasian bittern (Matuku-hūrepo) and other taonga species.
Together, with many hands and a shared purpose, our community is nurturing and restoring these precious ecosystems – one seedling at a time.