From dump to native delight

South Wairarapa students are transforming a former landfill into a native-tree paradise, and hope to see kiwi return to the area.
The students, from Featherston School, have just finished planting the last of 1000 native trees including kanuka, kowhai, kahikatea and cabbage trees, at the Otauira Reserve, the site of the old Featherston tip.
Teacher Alison Sim said a "driving team" of 12 students had pushed the project along from the initial planning stage, through budgeting, gaining funding and council approval.
Since then the whole school had been involved in planting at the site, she said.
"They take a lot of pride in it ... and some go during the week and check on [the trees]. They're really, really impressed with it."
She said television and radio personality Ruud Kleinpaste, aka The Bugman, visited both the school and the site and was very impressed.
He said there was no reason why kiwi and geckos would not return to the area once the planting was completed.
Funding for the project was supplied by South Wairarapa District Council, Featherston Walkways Trust and Greater Wellington Regional Council.
Featherston School is now hoping to get further funding to buy more trees, which will complement the ones already planted.
"Next year we'll plant some soft ones in behind there, so we can get some native birds back ... The whole point is you'll be able to see nature without having to climb a mountain."