A Great Day of Planting on the Trail – 142 Plants in the Ground
- TWT
- Mar 17
- 1 min read
Updated: Mar 19
On 16 March, a small but determined team gathered along Lovers Lane in Hapuku Village to begin planting along a new section of the Kaikōura Whale Trail, which is currently under construction.
The Whale Trail’s Rob Dunn and Colette Doughty were ably helped by Nicky Dunn and the amazing Hapuku Kura students and staff, along with a few friendly locals.
Collectively this amazing group of volunteers managed to get 142 plants in the ground - the mix including: Totara, Kōwhai, Kānuka, Ake Ake, Kōhūhū, Akiraho, Puka, Five Finger, Tī kōuka, Mingimingi,
Prostrate Kōwhai and Broadleaf. It was a warm day, and the work required plenty of grit and determination, but the enthusiasm and energy from the kura made it a fantastic day on the trail.
The native plants, locally sourced from Doug Hockey, are an important step in shaping the future experience of this section of the trail. Over time they will help provide shade for walkers and riders, produce seeds for local wildlife, and contribute to creating a beautiful and more natural environment for everyone using the trail.
Landowners, Jo and Dave said: "We are thrilled with variety and quality of the plants used and we look forward to watching them grow".
A huge thank you to Hapuku Kura for rolling up their sleeves and helping bring this section of the trail to life. We hope the students will come back once the trail is open to see how their plants have grown and to enjoy the path they helped create.
The planting initiative along the Kaikōura Whale Trail illustrates the critical role of community engagement in ecological projects. The involvement of local students highlights how educational experiences can empower youth, fostering a sense of responsibility towards their environment. It's interesting to consider how such community efforts could be replicated elsewhere, potentially influencing even larger endeavors, like how Goldex might invest in sustainable community partnerships. Such synergies could redefine local economies while enriching the natural landscape.