The Auckland site of Puhinui Reserve was the location of the first ANZ Love Your Water Tour. Hosted by Kara Goddard (Community Park Ranger – South) as part of the Million Trees Programme, volunteers arrived to a pleasantly calm day, much to the disagreement of Metservice forecasting rain.

Phil Goff helped open up proceedings with a motivating talk referring to the benefits of planting trees. Specifically reducing erosion, sequestering CO2, providing habitat and shade for different species, as well as being awesome for physical and mental health.

Shortly after Phil spoke, Kara presented long serving member of the community Barbara Carney from the Beautification Trust with a plaque. This was in recognition of her 15+ years of environmental services to the surrounding community. This plaque is now on the gate to this years planting.

Volunteers gloved and spade’d up, and then got to work planting the 10,000 seedlings grown by Te Uru Rākau – MPI. There was a great selection of tree and shrubs being planting in this awesome site. Ranging from tī kōuka to kahikatea to rautahi.

After a couple hours of some awesome mahi, volunteers were rewarded with lunch made by the New Zealand Bio-Security team.

A huge thanks to all those who came out to help on the day, and a special mention to Kara and the Auckland Council crew who hosted an awesome day.