Kura plants trees, alike the Waingongoro

More than 30 students of Te Kura o Nga Ruahine Rangi, The team from Parininihi Ki Waitotara (PKW) and Kānihi Māwhitiwhiti Pā Kaimahi finished planting a little over 100 trees on Wednesday 23rd November 2022.

PKW who is committed to protecting and nurturing the whenua, gave a koha(gift) of over 100 native trees to Kānihi Māwhitiwhiti Pā, and another 100 trees to Aōtearoa Pā as thanks for hosting them various times over the past year. The trees gifted were Manuka, Kanuka and Tarata. All three of these trees can be found along the Waingongoro river which gives a pleasing feeling to know the same plants from our awa are being planted right here at our Pā.

Te Kura o Nga Ruahine Rangi students got right into their mahi digging the holes for the trees, sprinkling compost before laying each tree and making sure it was secured in the ground.

“Tahi, rua, toru, whā, rima, ono, whitu, waru, iwa, tekau” said one of the students as they counted up how many trees they had planted.

The students working together with one digging, one laying compost, one planting and one covering the dirt. It seemed as though they we’re experts.

Around mid day everyone stopped for a well deserved kai put on by haukainga. After which was finished with a waiata by the kura and a light clean up. A great days mahi.

This planting of over 100 trees paves the way for the next phase of landscaping and bringing life to the whenua at Kānihi.

A great mihi goes out to PKW and Te Kura o Nga Ruahine Rangi for the mahi they have done.