A new partnership between Auckland Council and Te Whangai Trust has seen 54 new trees planted in urban Tāmaki Makaurau in 2025 – a win for both residents and the environment.
The trees – a mix of natives and exotics - were planted across five parks in the Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board area, part of the council’s efforts to expand the city’s urban forest canopy cover in south Auckland.
David Stejskal, Urban Forest, Arboriculture and Ecology Manager at Auckland Council, says he’s thrilled the council’s partnership with the trust is seeing trees planted in the community.
“This year, Auckland Council’s partnership with Te Whangai Trust has added an extra dimension to Auckland Council’s efforts to expand the city’s urban forest – supporting community outcomes alongside environmental ones. I’m really pleased with all 54 trees planted this year by the Trust, and I hope to see them doing more planting next year.”
Through its native plant nursery, Te Whangai provides at-risk people with hands-on training in plant propagation and planting techniques. Mentors work alongside the participants who can work towards NZQA qualifications. Some participants who’ve completed the course in the past have moved into full-time employment with increased confidence, skills, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Since 2007, the Te Whangai Trust has raised more than 3.6 million plants for environmental restoration projects and supported nearly 3000 youth and whānau into training, employment and community service.
Te Whangai Trust is a registered charity and social enterprise. Established in 2007 by Gary and Adrienne Dalton in memory of their daughter Leigh, the trust’s mission is twofold – to address social challenges facing those on welfare and to tackle environmental restoration needs across New Zealand.
The planting is part of a wider programme funded through a targeted rate, developed in partnership with Vector. The rate is primarily designed to help the council manage public trees near power lines, in line with legal obligations under the Electricity Act. Around half a million dollars each year is allocated to planting new trees across Auckland, supporting the growth of the city’s urban forest.
Mr Stejskal says the targeted rate is making a real difference.
“Through the targeted rate, Auckland Council has been able to deliver hundreds of additional new trees each year, planted in appropriate locations and improve how we manage trees near the electricity network. Vector has provided valuable support in developing the rate, helping us achieve these outcomes.”
Adrienne Dalton from Te Whangai Trust says she looks forward to continuing to work with Auckland Council and Vector to plant more trees in Auckland communities.
“Te Whangai Trust is delighted to work with Auckland Council, with support from Vector, to grow trees for planting in south Auckland, for the enjoyment of local residents.
“We aim to assist youth, people at risk and the long-term unemployed through on-going mentoring in a structured and safe workplace and providing them with life and work skills as well as educational opportunities. Participants worked in our nursery propagating the trees to be planted in parks and streets. They gained knowledge and confidence doing this mahi. We look forward to continuing to work on this initiative.”
Urban Ngahere strategy
Tree planting in Auckland’s urban area is part of the council’s effort to mitigate and lessen the impact of climate change in light of the climate emergency declared by The New Zealand Parliament and Auckland Council.
Trees are critical in achieving our climate change goals. They also provide multiple significant benefits essential for the wellbeing of Aucklanders, such as amenity, better stormwater management, enhanced biodiversity and community health.
Through Auckland’s Urban Ngahere (Forest) Strategy, Auckland Council has also committed to increasing the average tree canopy cover to 30% across Auckland’s urban area by 2050.
Many of Auckland’s 21 local boards have adopted local urban ngahere action plans, climate action plans as well as local board plans and agreements that support the goal of increasing tree canopy cover and support the prioritisation of locations for future planting.
Auckland Council facilitates tree planting events as part of ecological volunteer programmes to help boost tree numbers in the city. Mana whenua, schools, volunteers and community groups plant around 200,000 smaller trees and plants each year in local parks and around 300,000 in regional parks, contributing to the annual total number of trees planted.
