Hundreds of plants set to save the Waiomou stream

About 70 volunteers from Kuranui School and the wider Okoroire Community planted 600 trees along the Waiomou riverbank as part of their Enviro school project last month.

It is hoped the 12 species of natives planted will help reduce erosion and keep the water ways cleaner and clear of pollution. The Waikato Regional Council gifted $2000 of plants.

Although the conditions were horrible the day went well and the children were thrilled with the part they played, Room Five’s teacher, Jenny Clements said.

“The day was fantastic! All morning it rained. It was will we or won’t. Then we looked at the kids, they were totally wrapped up in all the old farm gear they could find, they were eager to get out there, so we went for it.”

Darryl Goodwin, owner of Okoroire Excavators, spent three days clearing the area before the school could get under way with the re-planting.

Mrs Clements said the replanting was an issue that couldn’t be left any longer.

“The area was covered in blackberry; everything was over grown and boggy. We took the kids down to the stream before the clearing because we didn’t want the kids thinking they were just replanting, we wanted them to see why.”

The WRC will donate a further 200 plants every year until the riverbank is full.

“It’s just a small step to keeping our water ways as clear as we can,” Mrs Clements said.