Saving Auckland's Heritage Fruit Trees: Healthy Soil, Healthy Trees
Description
Learn practical ways you can support food trees and resilient green spaces in your own neighbourhood.
Join Savannah Carter-Green (Kai Rākau Project),
Matthew Priestley (Brotherwood),
and David Stejskal (Auckland Council Urban Forest, Arboriculture and Ecology team)
for a session exploring two connected streams of their work:
the ‘Kai Rākau Food Tree Project’ a living library of heritage fruit trees, sub-tropical food trees and rongoā species, and…
the collaborative programme protecting historic orchard remnants across the Upper Harbour
Hear how these significant trees have been located, rescued and cared for; why they matter culturally, historically and environmentally; and how community partnerships are helping them thrive.
Learn how soil structure, compaction and low carbon levels affect fruit-tree health.
Discover practical solutions with simple indicators to assess soil improvement over time.
Proceeds from this workshop will help support the Kai Rākau Food Tree Project
ABOUT (click below for more info)
Savannah Carter-Green is the founder of the Kai Rākau Project (est. 2010) under the umbrella of the Sustainable Paremoremo Charitable Trust. She leads the creation of a living library of heritage food trees, rare subtropicals, and rongoā rākau across 3.5 acres within the 100-acre Sanders Reserve.
Matthew Priestley is the director of Brotherwood Ltd and leads the soil-health and orchard-restoration work for Auckland Council’s heritage fruit-tree programme.
David Stejskal Urban Forest, Arboriculture and Ecology Manager, Auckland Council
David leads Auckland Council’s Urban Forest, Arboriculture and Ecology team, a group of specialists focused on caring for the region’s trees, green spaces and ecological systems.
This event is part of EcoFest 2026 — a month-long, community-powered festival celebrating nature, sustainable living and everyday climate action across Tāmaki Makaurau. Discover practical ideas, inspiring events and ways to deepen your learning at ecofest.org.nz.
Lineup
Savannah Carter-Green
Savannah Carter-Green is the founder of the Kai Rākau Project (est. 2010) under the umbrella of the Sustainable Paremoremo Charitable Trust. She leads the creation of a living library of heritage food trees, rare subtropicals, and rongoā rākau across 3.5 acres within the 100-acre Sanders Reserve - a collection she and her team have gathered, protected, and nurtured over many years while educating the local community along the way. Through this community mahi, she also holds a part-time role with Arb-Eco Tree Consultants, working alongside Brotherwood Tree Care to protect, nurture, and educate local communities about ancient fruit trees on public land across the Upper Waitematā Harbour. Her mahi weaves together kai, ecology, and clean energy to help grow resilient, regenerative communities.
David Stejskal
David Stejskal (Urban Forest, Arboriculture and Ecology Manager, Auckland Council) David leads Auckland Council’s Urban Forest, Arboriculture and Ecology team, a group of specialists focused on caring for the region’s trees, green spaces and ecological systems. His role spans strategic urban forest planning, arboricultural management, and supporting the people who deliver this mahi on the ground. He has been part of the broader effort to recognise and protect heritage food trees on public land, working alongside community groups and partners such as Arb-Eco and Brotherwood Tree Care to care for orchard remnants, improve tree health, and strengthen long-term resilience and biodiversity. David brings a down-to-earth, people-first approach to urban forest work. He is committed to helping communities reconnect with their local trees and to ensuring Auckland’s neighbourhoods continue to grow into healthy, productive, and climate-resilient green spaces for future generations.
Matthew Priestley
Matthew Priestley is the director of Brotherwood Ltd and leads the soil-health and orchard-restoration work for Auckland Council’s heritage fruit-tree programme. His approach blends arboriculture, regenerative land care, and hard data from the field. With a BSc in Botany and Microbiology and ongoing Master’s research on repairing compacted clay soils using biochar and in-situ composting, Matthew focuses on practical, evidence-based methods that actually shift orchard performance. He specialises in helping communities and councils rebuild soil function so fruit trees can thrive long term.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
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