On Sunday 27 May, volunteers from the Kathmandu Summit Club, the South Wairarapa Biodiversity Group and the Greater Wellington Regional Council, met at Okorewa Lagoon to plant almost 2,000 native wetland plants.

Kathmandu Summit Club volunteers boarded their bus in Wellington on a chilly Sunday morning and set off on a scenic 1.5 hour bus journey over the Remutaka Mountain range. After a short hike along this rugged piece of coastline they arrived at the planting site on the southern shore of the Okorewa Lagoon.

Local experts from the South Wairarapa Biodiversity Group briefed volunteers on the significance of the area from both an ecological and cultural perspective. Important health and safety considerations and planting techniques were also covered in the briefing before gloves and spades were issued and everybody set off to do some planting.

It didn’t take long for the team to find their rhythm and with over 60 volunteers transformed the site into the beginnings of a new riparian ecosystem. These plants will provide shelter for native birds and insects and help to improve the water quality of the Okorewa Lagoon.

After a busy morning of planting, everybody took a break for a shared lunch of delicious, fresh, hot burritos compliments of Lucia’s Trading Post. This was followed by hot drinks and Phoenix Organics juice. The final few plants were dug in before it was time for a quick pint at the pub and back on board the bus to Wellington. With new friends and fond memories everyone had a great day outdoors, restoring a slice of the beautiful South Wairarapa coast.

Huge thanks to the Wairarapa Moana Wetlands group made up of the South Wairarapa Biodiversity Group, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Department of Conservation, the South Wairarapa Regional Council, Kahungunu ki Wairarapa and Rangitane o Wairarapa Inc.

As part of our amazing collaboration with Kathmandu Summit Club, we invite you to join us on Sunday 27 May for a tree planting at Okorewa Lagoon.

The South Wairarapa Biodiversity Group do amazing work in this area, and are lovingly overlooking its restoration, so we want to help them give some love to this special area. This project is also supported by Greater Wellington Regional Council and Department of Conservation and it’s always an honour to be working with these teams.

We’ll meet from 10.30am; look out for the Kathmandu Flags about 200 metres past the Lake Ferry Hotel. We’ll be starting from 10.30am and finishing up around 2.00pm. You can stay for as little or as long as you like, but around noon we’ll all come together for a some tasty food and some Phoenix Organics Drinks.

To participate, please take a few seconds to sign up via registration at Kathmandu’s Summit Club. 

If you’re coming from the Wellington there’s a FREE bus courtesy of Kathmandu!  It leaves at 9am sharp from Willis Street – Grand Arcade Bus Stop.  Just remember to register below.

If you’re driving yourself it takes about an hour and a half – after the Rimutaka’s, head toward Martinborough and take Kahutara Road toward Lake Ferry.

This is a beautiful but remote and rugged area, please dress and prepare accordingly for changing weather. The planting is within walking distance from the car park past the Lake Ferry Hotel – just look for the Kathmandu flags and you’ll find us!