Since 2019 we have been working with the Women’s Native Tree Project Trust in Gisborne on restoring a salt marsh area of land on our Manutuke Vineyard.

This June, winter Solstice Day, we organised a working be of like minded people to plant 400 native trees around a salt marsh lagoon on our vineyard.

Prior to planted we weedeated and scrub barred the area down so the planting area was not overgrown with unwanted plants. We used our own compost for the plants from our grape marc which had been composting down from the previous vintage. We also sourced mulch from Eastland Port and newspaper from the Gisborne Herald to keep the new growth of weeds down and ensure over summer the plants would retain the winter moisture in the ground.

On the day we had a great turn out of over 40 people, a range of kids and adults. it took us about 2 1/2 hours to get the job done, which was great, we all got stuck in. The types of trees we planted we Harakeke, Kowhai, Koromiko, Akeake, Makomako, Swamp Ribbonwood, Karamu, Taupata, a range of Hebes, Haupara, Kanono and Manuka.

We look forward to maintaining this area of land we planted out and over the next 2 years we hope to extend the planting area along the remainder of the salt marsh lagoon and look forward to creating our Salt March Reserve for the next generations.

We really enjoyed working with our boys on the day. They loved the freedom with working with the people and lending a hand to a range of people and meeting other kids on the day.

Afterwards we went to the Cellar Door and enjoyed a range of our organic wines and delicious pizzas that Nicola whipped up for everyone. Our boy Elijah was busy on the coffee machine making coffees and hot chocolates for the kids.

Over the summer months, we may open this area up with camping opportunities close to this native area. With the plan of holding a get together of like minded people over a weekend and lending a nurturing hand with the the planted area.