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Get your hands dirty for reserve’s planting day

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PUBLISHED: 18 AUG 2026
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A public planting day in Inglewood will take NPDC a step closer to achieving its goal of 10 per cent native plant coverage of our urban areas.

This Saturday’s (22 August) planting day on Joe Gibbs Reserve comes a year after a stand of ageing pine trees were removed from the reserve.

“We’re doing a mix of planting of appropriate native species and, where possible, allowing for the cleared area to revegetate naturally as there is native forest right next to the site,” says NPDC Manager Strategic Planning Renee Davies.

“We really want to get the community involved in the revegetation because this is a public space that will grow alongside future generations, for their enjoyment and the environment’s benefit.”

New Plymouth District already leads the country in native tree cover in urban areas, at nine per cent. NPDC’s goal is to be the first in the country to reach 10 per cent cover by planting a total of 34 hectares through a programme called Planting Our Place.

So far, around 13.1ha new native forest and wetlands have been planted across the district under the programme – not including this 2ha Inglewood project.

“Having more urban native plantings will bring birdsong back improve urban biodiversity, and also make our places healthier for our children,” says Renee.

The planting day is at 10am on Saturday 22 August, rain or shine. Meet at Joe Gibbs Reserve (over the bridge off Standish Street) and bring a spade and closed-in shoes; refreshments will be provided.

At a glance:

  • Planting Our Place has a Te Korowai o Tāne fund to help community groups with their native planting projects, and the fund is open to applications year-round.
  • NPDC looks after 1,600ha of park and reserve land including 625ha of trees.

 

Caption: A child gets ready to plant a sapling. NPDC is inviting children and adults along to a plant day at Joe Gibbs Reserve.

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Page last updated: 09:39am Tue 18 August 2026

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