Conservation and camaraderie combine at tree planting day

On 18 July, 16 intrepid Business School staff seized an opportunity to escape the Sir Owen G Glenn Building for a day of fresh air, physical activity and feel-good vibes.

As part of an annual initiative organised by Conservation Volunteers New Zealand (CVNZ) and supported by the Business School’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee (HSW), the enthusiastic group of conservation- and community-minded volunteers travelled to Ātiu Creek Regional Park, on the shores of the stunning Kaipara Harbour, to participate in a tree planting day.

As well as the obvious benefits of a day spent communing with nature and connecting with colleagues, the event offered participants the chance to contribute to an exciting environmental restoration project: Restoring Ātiu Creek Ecology (RACE). Undertaken by CVNZ in partnership with Auckland Council, RACE is helping to restore the environmental health of the 843-hectare regional park, which features impressive stands of rare and ancient native forest, wetlands and estuarine mangroves.

While the weather on the day was surprisingly warm and sunny, event organiser and Career Development and Employment Liaison Manager Anastasia Timoshkina notes the heavy rain in the days leading up to the event made for difficult planting conditions.

“The ground was very muddy and slippery, so maintaining stability while standing on a muddy slope was challenging,” she recalls. “However, we still managed to plant 378 trees.”

The breathtaking views, enjoyable interactions with co-workers, and of course the satisfaction of supporting a valuable local environmental initiative made all the effort worthwhile. There were even learning opportunities: “Getting to know more about the trees we were planting was a great way to educate ourselves about the environment in that area,” observed one participant.

The day’s mahi concluded with a well-earned barbecue lunch – and the consensus that connecting with co-workers outside the office was a clear highlight.

“It’s good for team-building and relaxation,” reflected one volunteer. “It’s reciprocal for the environment and our mental health.”

The event marked a hat-trick of success for the HSW Committee, which has organised these excursions for three years in a row. And with many participants planning to return, the future of the event – and the RACE project – looks promising.