On June 3rd, coinciding with Arbor Day working bees, the Year 8s of Hillary Pod contributed their muscle and enthusiasm for environmental sustainability to replanting trees in the Port Hills. Through connections of Hākui Marie to the Summit Road Society, H2 and H3 proceeded to our rendezvous worksite at Victoria Park. Some of us brought spades, shovels and trowels to dig up the earth; others used the tools provided by the rangers who met us there.
Following a karakia and safety briefing, the students were guided to a large site on the hillside. Areas of pre-churned soil were signposted with garden cages, bamboo stakes, a decomposable weed mat, and a nursery plant ready to pop into the ground. We were shown how to plant a range of native flora and keep it protected from nuisance weeds, with mulch and the weedmat. Also, prevalent pests could be deterred with garden cages.
2 hours of work culminated in 215 plants being put into the ground. The valley opposite showed us what this kind of effort can achieve for rebalancing nature and some reflected on how our plants might look as they took root and flourish in the years to come.
