REPORT
Our community planting day was a wonderful success. Over sixty people turned up to plant 1200 plants out on one of the Okura Walkway cheniers. This included family groups, a group of students from a Rangitoto College, and contingent from the Te Araroa Auckland Tamaki Makaurau Trust.
Overheard was one participant say to a father planting with his young pre-school daughter:
‘You are lucky to have such a wonderful helper’
Dad: ‘Yes, I couldn’t do it without her’.
Young daughter: ‘I couldn’t do it without my dad’.’
What a way to introduce our young tamariki to appreciating our beautiful natural our environment.
At the completion of the planting, participants returned to the Stillwater Hall to enjoy a most delicious lunch – many thanks to the Te Araroa Trust for providing stunning filled rolls and yummy muffins to supplement our soup and chocolate brownie.
We wish to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the day. This includes Dan Marrow of Auckland Council who arranged the plants for us; Martin Jack of Glenfield Plumbing who gave up a work afternoon to transport the plants out to the site; photographer, Charles West; all the ‘planters’; Te Araroa Auckland Trust for their generosity; the lunch preparers; John Marais who prepared the site; the ‘weeders’ who cleared the chenier track; the Stillwater Residents Assn for use of their fabulous hall, and others who make sure the day goes well.
And I’m very sure the shorebirds such as dotterel, godwit, oystercatchers and spoonbills which use the chenier as part of their habitat would have appreciated this gift of an even better home in the future as those plants grow and flourish.
Promotion
Two areas on West Chenier marked 2026
All welcome to join our annual community planting day , this time on one of the cheniers on the Okura Walkway about 1 km walking distance from the opening gate to the Walkway. Meet at 10 am at entrance to the Okura Walkway, 1 Duck Creek Road, Stillwater.
A fantastic opportunity to participate and learn more about the value of environmental restoration.
Here are the photos of last year’s planting day:
okurabush.org.nz/2025/08/planting-day-sunday-3rd-august/
What to bring:
Gumboots or old sturdy shoes (it can be muddy), weather-appropriate clothing, drinking water, lots of enthusiasm. Some spades and gloves will be provided but bring your own if you can. Refreshments will be provided on completion of planting (about noon).
To find out more, please contact Chris Bettany on 021 020 40 435.
Toitu te marae o Tane Mahuta: Toitu te marae o Tangaroa: Toitu te tangata.
If the land is well, if the sea is well, the people will be well.
August 2026 Photos:
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- Two areas on West Chenier marked 2026
