Reminder of ‘the tracks of our ancestors’

Hundreds of harakeke and carex grass plants were planted at the entrance to Gisborne Airport in a community initiative . Pictured on the day were Thelma Karaitiana (back left) and Christina Robinson (Ngai Tāwhiri). In front from left are Kenza Buchanan (Te Hapara School), airport manager Murray Bell and Daniela Martelli (Awapuni School). Picture supplied

Gisborne Airport and Ngai Tāwhiri last week hosted a native planting day on ground at the entrance to the airport.

The community initiative focused on promoting environmental sustainability and biodiversity at the site.

“One way of achieving this was by using more eco-friendly alternatives such as wool weed matting,” said Gisborne Airport manager Murray Bell .

Thelma Karaitiana of Ngai Tāwhiri said: “To assist the rejuvenation of native ecosystems the local landscape is in need of sustainable weed management. The introduction of wool weed matting to the airport planting programme is a welcome approach to weed control.”

Wool Life NZ sources the wool from local Tairāwhiti farms and manufactures it into conventional weed matting, improving biodegradability and enhancing water retention.

“We’re very proud to be involved with this project. There is something special about our products being used to nurture the whenua they are sourced from,” Wool Life NZ managing director Gareth Mentzer said.

“We produce our mats entirely from wool. They biodegrade over 12 to 18 months, restricting weeds and releasing nutrient elements into the soil to encourage plant growth.”

Te Hapara and Awapuni School children were involved in planting the 950 harakeke, and carex grass among the wool matting.

Christina Robinson of Ngai Tāwhiri said: “It has been brilliant seeing the enthusiasm of the children and it has been great to watch them learn and gather understanding of what they’re doing.

“The airport is the gateway to the region and as the plants grow it will remind us of the tracks that our ancestors walked through.”