Pirongia’s Sainsbury Reserve community planting day

Pirongia residents – get ready to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty for a great cause. Put Saturday, June 7 in your calendar – we are kicking off the ecological restoration of Sainsbury Road and we need your help to make it happen!

With the help of the community, Waipā District Council is aiming to plant more than 5000 natives over half a hectare of wetland and surrounding slopes on the reserve.

It’s the first on-the-ground action to bring the Sainsbury Road Reserve Management Plan to life. The plan set a clear long-term vision for the area with strong community input, ecological restoration and recreation opportunities for people at its heart.

Community services manager Brad Ward said the community planting day is the start of an important journey and is the first of many steps in restoring the 41-hectare reserve.

“This is a chance for the local community to connect with the vision: ‘Nature and people flourish at Sainsbury Road Reserve’. It’s also a way to foster a sense of ownership and pride in this shared space,” Ward said.

“The event is open to all ages and is family-friendly. Come along, bring your gumboots, gloves, and a spade, and enjoy a few hours immersed in nature while contributing to a meaningful local initiative.”

The team at Pūniu River Care, a local restoration and nursery supplier, are preparing the site, supplying the plants, and pre-digging holes to improve plant survival. New fencing has also been installed to keep grazing stock out and protect restoration efforts.

The community planting will also contribute to the Taiea te Taiao Project, which seeks to restore an ecological corridor between Maungatautari and Pirongia maunga along the Mangapiko and Ngāparierua Streams.

In the event of poor weather, the planting day will be postponed to Saturday, June 14.

To register your interest, visit waipadc.govt.nz/sainsburyreserve