Connect with te Puhinui - July

Nau mai ki te Puhinui Regeneration Project!

Want your team to get outdoors, connect with nature and do some meaningful work with others?

Come and help out at the next Connect with Te Puhinui Giveback Day, in Wiri. Join the Sustainable Business Network (SBN) and our community partners Te Pu-a-Nga Maara working on the Puhinui Regeneration Project. We’ll kick things off at 9.30am and finish at 12:30pm for kai (food).

This is an opportunity to experience the warm manaaki (hospitality) of Te Pu-a-Nga Maara’s Taiao Rangers, the local rangatahi leading the charge in regenerating te taiao (the environment) around the Puhinui stream and its catchment. We’ll begin with an introduction to the project and whakawhanaungatanga (relationship building) to connect with each other and the kaupapa. 

There are six giveback days in 2025. Each is aligned with the huna phase of the maramataka (Maaori lunar calendar). It’s a time traditionally dedicated to giving back to Tangaroa and Hinemoana, atua (guardians) of the ocean.  

What to expect
Depending on the season, activities may include:

• Native planting (typically June to early September)
• Weeding or pest plant removal
• Educational workshops
• Fencing and site preparation for future planting

What to bring
Gear for all weather, covered shoes and a water bottle. We’ll provide the kai!

Koha
If your business is not a current project partner, we encourage you to bring a small koha (contribution) to support the kaupapa.

Testimonials
“Participating in the project was incredibly rewarding. We planted numerous trees, helping to restore the local ecosystem. It was a great way to connect with nature, learn about environmental conservation and contribute to a sustainable future.”

“It was a great opportunity to connect with the community, work as a team and contribute to a meaningful cause.”

Any paatai (questions), please contact rosie@sustainable.org.nz