Our work with communities and volunteers

Greater Wellington is proud to work with and support local communities to improve the health of our region’s special places and important ecosystems, for future generations.

We are committed to building and maintaining a joined-up approach to restoration across the region.

Our work is guided by Mauri Tūhono, a framework that helps unite people who are working towards a flourishing natural environment in our region. It offers a set of values and ideas that can help people see how they contribute to a bigger picture for our rohe.

Community interest and involvement in restoring te taiao has been growing steadily over the years. Rōpū Taiao (our Environment Group) now works with over 90 different organisations around the region. These include community volunteers such as Upper Hutt Forest and Bird, which is restoring Trentham Memorial Park; kaitiaki such as Pae tu Mokai o Tauira, who run a community nursery growing native plants in Featherston; and schools such as Maraeroa School which is restoring a tiny but important wetland on their school grounds in Porirua East.   

Greater Wellington supports these organisations and fosters connections with others in the community who can help. For example, the Friends of Taupō Swamp and Catchment Inc receives funding from the Community Environment Fund that we manage in partnership with mana whenua, and we a provide expert advice from our Environmental Restoration team on weed control and planting plans. The Enviroschools team has connected Friends of Taupō Swamp and Catchment Inc with local schools, and their partners Pest Free Plimmerton also receive materials from our Pest Animals team to trap pest animals in Taupō Swamp.  

We also support many more groups indirectly through networking events such as Restoration Day and by offering opportunities to monitor the health of our environment in a variety of ways such as the annual Wairarapa Moana Kākahi Count event.   

Not everyone can commit to being part of a group so Greater Wellington provides family friendly planting events in our regional parks. During 2023, these events attracted over 200 people. We want to ensure everyone gets the opportunity to be involved. If you are interested in learning more about these events, follow our social media feeds or visit our website during planting season which is May to September each year.  

Greater Wellington wants to recognise and celebrate the fantastic work of those we’ve mentioned here and all the many dedicated people who are creating a legacy of healthy restored ecosystems. 

Toitū te marae a Tāne-Mahuta, Toitū te marae a Tangaroa, Toitū te tangata

If the land is well and the sea is well, the people will thrive