This week thousands of native New Zealand tree seedlings are being given away in exchange for a gold coin donation. The project, as part of Britomart's 'Dreaming of a Green Christmas' campaign, is raising money for the Motutapu Restoration Trust and hopes to spread festive cheer through backyards across the city.
Following the success of last year's event, green-fingered nursery manager Caleb Scott is back with both popular and lesser-known species, including pōhutukawa, mānuka, tī kouka, kānuka, orange grass, wharangi, teasel grass and houpara. Scott nurtured the native saplings from seeds he harvested from the Bay of Islands retreat, The Landing.
The koha event will run from Wednesday, 25 to Friday, 27 November in Takutai Square from 11am to 5pm. The native seedlings will be given away in exchange for a gold coin donation, with all proceeds going to the Motutapu Restoration Trust. Each plant comes with a care instructions illustrated by Jessica Thompson Carr. There is a limit of one seedling per person.
Image: Joe Hockley.