Planting day one of a number of Matariki activities in Porirua

‍ The community is warmly invited to a planting day at Bothamley Park next month, along with a number of activities in the city, to celebrate Matariki.‍ ‍

The planting event, from 10am-12.30pm on Saturday 18 July, will put 1800 plants in the ground as part of the ongoing programme to protect Te Awarua o Porirua Harbour.‍ ‍

Matariki is about remembering those who have passed, celebrating the present, and planning for the future. Harvesting, restoration and environmental stewardship are important tenets of Matariki and Council’s riparian streamside management programme, which began in 2022, has the goal of putting more than 6 million plants on the 588km of streams that run into the harbour until 2041.

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Planting around the city’s waterways improves freshwater quality and the mauri of streams and the harbour, and events like on the one on 18 July are great to engage our community, Mayor Anita Baker says.

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"A planting day builds connections between neighbours, groups and the wider Porirua community," she says.‍ ‍

Mountains to Sea Wellington, Predator Free Porirua, and Ngahere Korowai will have stalls to let the community know about the mahi they are doing in the region. A free sausage sizzle will keep our planters going.‍ ‍

Te Awa Taiao Cadets will tend to the newly planted trees, plant new ones if required, and clear away pest species. Running for two years, the cadet programme has seen them become guardians of Bothamley Park, learning vital skills that will serve them in future career pursuits.‍ ‍

Anyone can come down to participate at Bothamley Park, but we ask that you register at streamside.planting@poriruacity.govt.nz. On the day, meet at Bothamley Park’s Champion St entrance, and please wear gumboots and appropriate clothing.

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Postponement day if the weather is bad is Sunday 19 July.

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Other Matariki events in Porirua (all free) are:

• Matariki craft session at the City Centre Library, Thursday 9 July, 4-5.15pm

• Ka kaa te rama (light walk) around the Wi Neera Drive-Porirua harbourside from 5pm on Thursday 9 July

• Light display on Porirua harbourside (Pirate’s Cove to Pak’n Save), 9-12 July, 5.30-9.30pm

• Honouring the remembrance star Pōhutukawa at Pātaka Art + Museum, Friday 10 July

• Weaving wall at Kai Tahi (20 Parumoana St), 4-19 July.

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All information on thes e events can be found by going to our website and searching ‘Matariki in Porirua’.

ENDS

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