Waikanae Estuary Care Group and Paraparaumu College

In September 2020 Paraparaumu College Horticultural Department Head, Anita Taylor, made enquiries regarding collaboration with her students and our volunteers at the Waikanae Estuary.

Because of covid restrictions that year we were behind with our planned work programme and welcomed help from these students. Sandy Collings and Pene Burtonbell, our experienced nursery volunteers, visited the College to instruct students in planting our Flax and wiwi eco -sourced seeds. These have been nurtured, pricked out and transferred into bags by the students and are now hardening up in the WECG nursery .When mature these plants will planted by the students in the Estuary.

In the meantime 2 classes have completed one successful May planting at the Estuary during school time in Zone 12 , a newly cleared section along the main track. It is hoped the students will take ownership of their plantings and come back regularly to weed them. A sign has been erected to acknowledge the student planting. look for it when you walk along the track.

Last week a small group of students planted with the estuary volunteers and their teacher, some Kahikatea in a wet estuary area. Rosalie Willis, a reporter from the Kapiti Observer was on hand to report and discuss with the students their joint involvement with our volunteer group.

It truly is a win/ win for both of our groups. The WECG gain extra help with their Restoration plan and the students get real practical horticulture experience to enhance their studies.

This story was part of our Volunteer Story Competition as part of National Volunteer Week.