10,000 Trees Planted by 1,000 Tamariki in One Day
- Jun 8
- 2 min read
On Friday 5 June 2026, around 1,000 students from schools across Kirikiriroa Hamilton gathered at Tauhara Park, Rototuna, for Arbor Day 2026. Together with kaiako, parents, and a community of dedicated kaimahi and funders, they planted 10,000 native trees in a single day.
The Endangered Species Foundation was there with an Awhi Awa stall, giving tamariki the chance to learn about some of Aotearoa's most endangered freshwater fish species and what they can do to care for the urban streams running through their neighbourhoods.
The conversations were full of curiosity and questions, and multiple schools from across the city signed up to become part of the Awhi Awa | Embrace a Stream programme.
"Seeing so many tamariki out planting trees and learning about freshwater species and stream health was very inspiring," says Natalie Jessup, General Manager of the Endangered Species Foundation. "Events like this help build lifelong connections with nature and empower young people to care for the environments around them."
When councils, funders, schools and conservation groups all show up together, 1,000 tamariki can be reached in a single morning and 10,000 trees planted by afternoon. That is what collaboration makes possible for te taiao.
Ngā mihi nui to all the funders and organisations who made this possible, including Bupa, Trees That Count, Waikato Regional Council, Hamilton City Council, and all the dedicated kaimahi, tamariki, kaiako and parents who showed up on the day.
You can be part of our programme and find out more here:
