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.

Contact the host of Saving Auckland's Heritage Fruit Trees: Healthy Soil, Healthy Trees