NZ Airforce Cadets Community Workday on the Trail

A huge thank you to the 50 NZ Airforce cadets who volunteered to help us out on the trail for their Community working bee - what a fantastic group of young people.

The Whale Trail Planting Coordinator, Rob Dunn comments: "Their energy, banter and mahi has made a real difference to the trail, and we’re incredibly grateful for their help."

Thanks to SGT Kim Morgan and Rob for organising the day and supervising to ensure that it all went smoothly. And a shout out to Tom and Jodi at Hortus for the loan of the equipment.

At Top of the Elevation, SH1, the team worked steadily along the fenceline, removing old barbed wire and deer fencing. They cleared weeds from around recently planted natives to give the young plants room to thrive, and tackled stands of broom leaving the site much tidier.

At the Lindens Rd / SH1 corner, cadets repeated the same thorough approach — taking down redundant fencing, cutting back invasive growth around plantings, and removing broom to reduce competition and fire risk.

Along the trail at Tuamarino, the crew focused on cutting back overhanging vegetation, trimming back encroaching growth, and stump‑swabbing to prevent regrowth. They spread mulch where needed to protect exposed soil and help new plantings establish, and finished by collecting litter to ensure the trail path is clean and tidy.