This project is being led by the Kawerau District Council. In early 2022, the council will fell and remove overcrowded and dangerous exotic trees from two hectares of council-owned land, and re-planting will take place in winter 2022. These trees will be replaced by ecologically sourced native species that are suited to the dryland Kawerau environment. The site is within the public Monika Lanham Reserve in central Kawerau township and is within walking distance for a large proportion of local residents. This site borders nine hectares of existing natives planted as part of the community-led Trees for Babies programme.
Unfortunately, the Kawerau district has the highest rate of adult unemployment in Aotearoa. An important aim of this project is to train and employ young adults so they can move into full time jobs. Planting will be undertaken by rangatahi, trained and employed by Tāne Mahuta Forestry Aotearoa Ltd (TMAL). This company has an established track record with more than 200 young people trained, qualified, and employed in conservation and forestry. This native tree planting will enable TMAL to employ six new trainees.