On Saturday 5 September, a team from the A Rocha Wellington Local Group supported the Plimmerton Rotary Planting Day on the shores of Pāuatahanui Inlet. They joined a large contingent from the nearby Eco Church, Pāuatahanui Anglican Parish along with other people from the neighbourhood and volunteers from the local New Zealand Police College. Together with the Rotarians, they planted 900 native trees and plants that will help improve the health of the inlet and support coastal biodiversity in the years ahead.

The planting included Juncus and oioi on the seaward side of the well-used Camborne Walkway, and taupata and coastal ribbonwood on the landward side. Volunteers also laid mulch mats and placed cardboard protectors around the plants on the landward side.

Having most of the holes dug with augers was a great help!

This five-year project is a partnership between Plimmerton Rotary, Ngāti Toa Rangatira, Porirua City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council and the Guardians of Pāuatahanui Inlet. It will help reduce shoreline erosion, filter sediment and improve native biodiversity and wildlife habitat.

Bill McAulay from Plimmerton Rotary passed on his appreciation for the group’s contribution, saying that they were “a joy to work with and a credit to our organisation”.

More photos can be found on the Rotary Club of Plimmerton facebook page.