Mucking in to help green Taupo

26 September 2014

Hundreds of native trees were planted at Spa Thermal Park yesterday in an effort to regenerate the park's natural environment.

About 50 Greening Taupo, Taupo District Council and community volunteers planted 1400 trees over about a hectare. The trees planted included totara, manuka, North Island kowhai and rewarewa among others.

Council's district manager of parks and public spaces John Ridd said Spa Thermal Park was one of Taupo's most popular parks and it was great so many people came to help enhance its natural beauty. We had a great mix of people down there including students from Tauhara College, he said.

The area being regenerated is a section near the river which previously was planted in pine trees. These were cut down after being deemed unsafe following storms in 2012.

Mr Ridd said the trees would take about three years to establish and encouraged people using the park to stick to the path that runs through the area. This would enable the trees to flourish, he said.

Several hundred more trees will be planted in the area next winter.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lisa Nairne Communications Manager 07 376 0762 027 839 8410

Vicki Waterhouse Communications Advisor 07 376 0718 027 484 2549

Taupo District Council