More than 30 volunteers turned out on Sunday to transform a once weed-infested stream bank in Kerikeri into native forest.
The newly planted area will extend the Wairoa Stream Track, which has become hugely popular since it opened in 2017.
As well as restoring public access to the Wairere Falls, known as the ''hidden waterfall'' because for decades it was difficult to reach, the other aim of the walkway project is to create a wildlife corridor reaching from Kerikeri Basin to Mt Pokaka.
The current phase of the project involves extending the track upstream from the Cobham Rd bridge. It will eventually link up with a paper road to Mill Lane, from where walkers will be able to take an existing footpath from General Gates Ave to Ranui Ave. Walkers will then be able to loop back into town via Kerikeri Rd.