Toi Ohomai Ākonga and Graduates Lead the Way in Planting Project
Monday, 30 Sep 2024
More than 60 tertiary and intermediate students teamed up during the week of a national sports tournament to plant 1000 trees and contribute to the biodiversity of the largest urban wetland restoration project in the southern hemisphere.
Aims Games takes place every year in Tauranga and attracts more than 12,000 competitors from around Aotearoa. During their stay, ākonga, parents, and teachers were excited to be involved in a project that gave back to the environment.
A tree planting day at Kopurererua Valley in Tauranga was organised by a team from Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology, What’s on Tauranga, Tauranga City Council, and Aims Games.
Toi Ohomai conservation operations academic staff member Ron Lidgard helped plan the event and organised for his ākonga to take part.
“It was great to have our Conservation Trainee Ranger ākonga back helping the community after spending ten days on Aotea, Great Barrier Island. The field trips are amazing, they help them grow and learn who they are, what they are actually capable of and it shows their commitment to be back only after two days break from supporting conservation work in the Kauri Forest of Aotea. It wasn’t just a chance for them to tick off the mentoring part of their study module but a real reflection on what they have learnt throughout the year.”
Several members of the Tauranga City Council Environmental Team involved in the restoration previously studied with Toi Ohomai and shared their passion for the project.
Tauranga City Council Restoration Operator Harry Lochhead studied the New Zealand Certificate in Conservation (Operations) (Level 4).
“This used to be all farmland so it’s exciting to see it evolve. I made lifelong friends during my study and am now working with a lot of them. There’s definitely work out there – some of my friends are now working in Nelson and Tongariro so you can live and work in some great places. I enjoy getting outdoors, using the chainsaw, and being able to work locally.”
Natural Environment and Walkways Team Leader Karne Robertson previously worked as a primary school teacher before studying the New Zealand Diploma in Environmental Management (level 6), Terrestrial Strand and planted trees in the same area more than 20 years ago.
“I can still point out which ones I planted. That’s something these kids will be able to do too which is pretty special.”
Natural Environmental Advisor Amy Lea studied a diploma in Environmental Management before completing her degree in terrestrial with Waikato University.
“It was great that I could complete my first two years with Toi Ohomai, I really enjoyed it especially for the smaller classes and supportive tutors.”
Revegetation Gardener Lani Payne studied the New Zealand Certificate in Organic Primary Production (Level 4), Strand in Crop Production as she didn’t want to work in an office all day.
“I’m fairly new to my current role and I’m really enjoying it. I love being outdoors.”
If you’re interested in studying a course in conservation, horticulture, pest control, or the diploma in environmental management learn more on the Toi Ohomai website or get in touch by emailing [email protected].