Engines rumbling for green machine
A community planting day at Whakaipo Bay last year. Photo: Supplied
Greening Taupō’s 2026 planting season is in the starting blocks and ready for the green light this weekend.
The first of nine events across the district begins with a community planting day on Tauhara Maunga on Saturday, from 11am.
Volunteers will plant 2000 trees and shrubs alongside the track, adding to the 8000 plants already planted over the past two years, says a Greening Taupō Coordinator Robyn Ellis.
A week later, volunteers can join a planting at Karetoto Road, supported by the Taupō Trail Festival, and in May along Wairakei Drive in partnership with Upflow and Shawn Vennell.
In early June, the community is invited to the annual Greening Taupō Day celebration, featuring an Arbor Day planting and later in the month, long-time supporters Contact return with a major gully restoration project at Owen Delany Park.
“This is more than just planting trees,” Robyn says.
“Each event is an opportunity for the community to connect, enjoy the outdoors, and make a lasting contribution to our local environment.”
Kids Greening Taupō also play a key role, with student leaders helping events run smoothly by assisting with registration, serving refreshments, demonstrating correct planting techniques, and supporting setup and pack-up.
Community support extends beyond volunteers. Local businesses and organisations help
feed the planting crews: the whānau from Taupō Credit Union run the BBQ at Hipapatua, the Girl Guides support Whakaipō Bay, and MBC Century recently joined to take charge of the barbecue at a number of plantings.
After a July break for school holidays, planting resumes in August with Unison at Centennial Drive and a riverside planting along the Waikato River in partnership with Huka Jet and Bike Taupō.
The season wraps up with community favourites at Hipapatua and Whakaipō Bay, supported by the Department of Conservation, the John Nankervis Estate, and other long-standing partners.
Greening Taupō is made possible by our parent organisation - Project Tongariro and the
support of the Taupō District Council. The plantings are supported through a combination of long-standing partnerships, some dating back 13 years, and newer collaborators who share the organisation’s vision for restoring and enriching Taupō’s environment.
Robyn says all are welcome to join us, “so come along rain or shine with the whole family and help us get the trees in the ground”.
Gloves are provided for children and the holes are pre-dug.
“Our wonderful KGT student leaders will be on hand to lend a hand if needed. Roll up your sleeves, enjoy the outdoors, and watch the native plants and environment thrive as a result of your efforts.”