Hīmatangi Beach Volunteers Help Transform Kaikokopu Reserve

The planting event follows the Hīmatangi Beach community vision in MDC’s Long-Term Plan, enhancing Kaikokopu Reserve and providing better access and environmental outcomes for the stream. After Council’s extensive consultation with the Hīmatangi Beach community, the project began in summer 2024. Council contractors cleared debris from the Kaikokopu stream and landscape designers created a plan for the reserve, including planting 900 trees and shrubs by project completion.

The community planting event kicked off in the morning, giving effect to the landscape design plan and the efforts of Green by Nature who prepared the site by laying out the plants and pre-digging the holes. James Adamson, MDC’s Community Assets Liaison, briefed the team on the game plan – plant some trees then replenish with a sausage sizzle! The turnout was great, and the team of (around) 15 volunteers had 370 trees and shrubs planted and mulched in an hour! “The mulch is like the icing on the cake”, one of the volunteers laughed, as a tractor and the team’s muscles spread massive piles of mulch. 70% of the trees and shrubs planted were sourced from MDC’s Kawakawa Nursery who ecosource seeds from across the District for habitat restoration.

Luckily, the forecasted rain didn’t make it to Hīmatangi Beach that morning. Blue skies and the sun made an unexpected appearance, bringing a smile to everyone’s faces and increasing motivation!

The weather was metaphoric, as the planting day marked a significant milestone for MDC, Hīmatangi Beach’s community and their Community Committee. With the first major steps completed, the shared vision for Kaikokopu Reserve is becoming a reality - to be appreciated by the community for years to come.

The team of volunteers.

A section of the planting landscape at Kaikokopu Reserve.

A close up of some freshly planted shrubs getting mulched.