On 22 June, The Trusts were proud to roll up our sleeves and join the Rivercare Group for a heartwarming and hands-in-the-dirt Matariki Planting Day down at Tawa Esplanade. It was a beautiful reminder of what’s possible when our West Auckland community comes together with a shared purpose and many native trees to plant!
Rivercare Group is a passionate community-led initiative working to restore the health of our local awa, the Paremuka Stream, and the surrounding environment in Ranui. Their vision is to bring people together through education, restoration, and long-term care for the whenua and waterways, ensuring a thriving ecosystem for future generations.
With the energy and aroha of over 70 volunteers, an incredible 250 trees were planted throughout the day. It was inspiring to see so many people, families, young ones, and long-time locals turn up to honour Matariki through meaningful mahi that gives back to Papatūānuku.
A special thank you to Rivercare Trustees Dion, Chris and Trina, whose kōrero grounded the event with wisdom and heart. Their passion and knowledge connected us all to the significance of Matariki and reminded us why restoration and kaitiakitanga matter.
As sponsors of Rivercare Group, we are thrilled to support the day in our own small way by helping kit out volunteers with sun hats to keep everyone cool and comfortable while they worked. It was a privilege to be part of such a purposeful event, and we look forward to more chances to work together for our whenua and our people. Ngā mihi to everyone who joined the mahi and made this Matariki 2025 memorable.
