Join Us for Tūpuna Maunga Authority’s Winter Planting Season!

We are calling for volunteers to join Tūpuna Maunga Authority as we gear up for our winter planting season, running from May to August. Everyone is invited to participate, whether you are from a school, community group or an individual. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get involved with the Authority and learn more about our restoration programme and biodiversity strategy.

The conservation team, Jenny Gollin and Tiago Mahalingam have set an ambitious target of planting around 35,000 natives this season and volunteers play a crucial role in achieving this goal. Jenny and Tiago strategically aligned their plantings days with Maramataka (Māori lunar) calendar. Traditionally, plantings were tailored to Maramataka calendar to ensure optimal times for planting to promote plant growth and harmony with Te Taiao.

Native plants, eco-sourced from Mana Whenua suppliers and local nurseries, are carefully selected by the team. The aim is to help restore the critically endangered WF7 Pūriri ecosystem on Maunga, once widespread in Tāmaki Makaurau's volcanic soils. The return of this ecosystem will provide natural habitat for native fauna to return to the Maunga and to connect the islands of Hauraki gulf with the wider Tāmaki to the Waitakere ranges. Representative plant species include Pūriri, Tōtara, Kahikatea, Kohekohe, Māhoe, Hangehange, Kānuka, Mānuka, Harakeke, Rengarenga, Toetoe, and Kāramuramu.

One of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering is witnessing the growth of the plants over time, fostering a deeper connection with the Maunga.

To join the Tūpuna Maunga team or enquire about planting day opportunties at one of the upcoming public planting days, please email [email protected].

Save these dates in your calendar and look out for these events on ‘Love your Maunga’ Facebook and Instagram

  • Sunday 19 May August, Ōtāhuhu / Mt Richmond, 10am–1pm
  • Saturday 1 June, Ōhinerau / Mt Hobson, 10am–1pm
  • Sunday 16 June, Ōhuiarangi / Pigeon Mountain, 10am–1pm
  • Saturday 20 July, Te Tātua-a-Riukuita / Big King, 10am-1pm
  • Sunday 21 July, Pukewīwī / Puketāpapa / Mt Roskill, 10am-1pm

To find out more about the Tupuna Maunga visit https://www.maunga.nz

Photo credit: Tūpuna Maunga Authority