Waihī Beach community planting day an opportunity to ‘leaf’ your mark

The Te Mata Reserve at Waihī Beach is being brought back to life with thousands of native plants – and Western Bay of Plenty District Council is inviting people to get involved at a Community Planting Day on Saturday, 20 September.

More than 19,000 plants, including kahikatea, puriri, ti kōuka (cabbage trees), harakeke (flaxes) and carex species are being planted as part of a wider restoration effort to improve stream health and replace vegetation removed during earlier erosion protection works.

Weed control and site preparation was carried out in July, including reshaping streambanks, and planting began last month.

“This restoration work will help protect the steam, improve local biodiversity and create a more natural space for the community to enjoy,” says Council Water Services Project Engineer Divesh Sami, who is managing the project.

“The Community Planting Day is an opportunity for locals to come together, roll up their sleeves and contribute to the long-term care of Te Mata Reserve. It’s a chance to give back, enjoy the outdoors and make a positive difference to the place where you live.”

What: Te Mata Reserve Community Planting Day (with a bite to eat afterwards)

When: Saturday, 20 September, 10am-12pm

Where: Meet at Te Mata Reserve, in the car park accessed between 6 and 10 Hillview Road, Waihī Beach

Bring: A water bottle, a warm layer, decent shoes, a spade and some gloves