Northcote’s Jessie Tonar Reserve is an amazing example of what can be achieved when the community works together as one. Led by Kaipātiki Project with funding from Kāinga Ora and Eke Panuku, volunteers have been doing great things. From planting native trees to water monitoring to checking local fish traps – great news, the results showed native kōkopu are still living in the stream.

In another part of Te Ara Awataha, Sam Tu’itahi, formerly part of Kaipātiki Project, and Zane Cooper, a member of Northcote Intermediate’s leadership team, joined forces on new initiatives at Northcote Intermediate School. Skilled volunteers from The Kaipātiki Project have helped the students revitalise the school’s edible gardens, while sharing knowledge on the valuable practices of beekeeping, composting and water monitoring. 

Also, workers from the City Mission Street Guardians assisted Jaime Calvert of Kaipātiki Project to plant around 150 natives, grasses and ferns.

It’s projects like this that connect local gardening champions and local schools to enrich their learning. By giving them the skills they need to forge a more sustainable future, it’s going to make the school a hub of community knowledge, wellbeing and connection.