Over 1000 native trees were planted by pupils from Te Ra, Raumati South and Paekākāariki schools recently, in celebration of Arbor Day and the 60th Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth Park.
Several dignitaries were in attendance to mark the occasion and keynote speakers were the Governor General Sir Jerry Mataparae, Regional Council Chair Fran Wilde, Ben Ngaia of Te Atiawa ki Whakarongotai, Kāpiti mayor Jenny Rowan, and QE Park Trust chair John Lancashire.
The day was a great success and continues on the huge volunteer planting efforts that go on at the park throughout the year.
The Govenor General explained to the school pupils a brief history of the park and how their role in planting was essential to the future wellbeing of this rare environment.
Trust chair John Lancashire also stated how QE Park was a vital environmental resource for the entire region and it was important to protect it as a park and not let it become a dumping ground for unwanted industrial waste – a reference to trolly buses. He also made mention of a proposed Printing Museum and how the trust did not see it as having any relevance to QE Park. Mr Lancashire asked the kids to “get out there and plant and save the park from the greedies.”