A highlight on our calendar, the annual Wairakei propagation project took place in the first week of November 2021. It offered a chance for connection amidst nationwide lockdowns, bringing together groups that may not cross paths in everyday life for a community day outdoors. 

In its sixth year, the initiative sees school kids work alongside local retirees to plant root trainers into pots. The seedlings are planted across Wairakei Estate the following year and maintained by our team to ensure they thrive.  

We were delighted to welcome children from Tauhara Primary and Reporoa Primary schools over two days, along with residents from Summerset Retirement Village. Their collective efforts saw 5,000 seedlings planted — an incredible result that will see harakeke, ti kouka, and tarata go on to prevent soil erosion and encourage native wildlife numbers in years to come.  

‍

As well as being important for our planting programme across Wairakei Estate, the propagation project also serves as a fundraiser with local schools receiving $1 for each seedling. 

‍

Want to get involved? We’d love to hear from you

‍

‍