Pupils help out at wetland

• Published date: 02 November 2021
• Publication title: Ensign, The

The project encouraged pupils to help with the maintenance of the wetland area which had more than 700 trees planted in memory of the late kaumata Rewi Anglem last year.

The initiative, which began last year, was part of the Te Uru Rakau, Forestry New Zealand’s One Billion Trees Programme.

Activities pupils were involved with last week included weeding around existing trees and replacing dead trees with new native ones.

About 45 pupils took part in the day.

The initiative was supported by the school, the Hokonui Runanga and Graeme Dingle Foundation Southland Kiwi Can organisation.

Kiwi Can co-ordinator Jennifer Jaques said the day was a success.

‘‘The children responded really well to the task, had fun, and showed excellent teamwork.’’

It was important to provide this hands-on experience for the children as it demonstrated values of care for the long-term sustainability of the local environment, she said.

Hokonui Runanga environmental liaison Riki Parata helped to show the...