HUTT CITY COUNCIL NEWS RELEASE

26 August 2016
Citywide tree planting aims to be fruitful on Father’s Day

On Father’s Day it’s usually dads that get a gift, but a Lower Hutt charity and Hutt City Council are using the day to gift the community with an abundance of fruit trees in public places.

The initiative will need volunteers to help plant the trees at more than a dozen sites in Lower Hutt on 4 September.

Hutt Valley-based Common Unity Project have been given 250 fruit trees from a private donor to be placed around the city for the benefit of local communities and future generations.

The charity, which works with communities to provide food solutions, skills development and employment opportunities, has formed the “Ngahere Kai” initiative with Council to get the trees planted.

Council Sustainability Officer Natalie Hormann says, “This is a rare gift for Lower Hutt and a fantastic opportunity to have fruit trees in public places throughout the city. But to make it happen we need volunteers to help plant the trees.”

So far 13 sites across Lower Hutt have been identified as suitable for the trees. Between 10 and 20 will be planted at each site. Each site will be hosted by a tree expert who will direct and guide the planting. More sites suggested by volunteers may also be considered.

Ms Hormann says the planting will run from 2pm until 4pm on Father’s Day and volunteers can also make it a fun day by taking a “flash mob” approach to planting the trees at each site.

Once the trees are planted, they will be cared for via the existing Fruit Tree Guardian Programme, where volunteers provide care and maintenance of the fruit trees around the city.

Volunteers can sign up for the day at https://goo.gl/forms/wJK2lbrY4X0MqJOo2

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