Planting Together at Ngā Roto-o-Rangataua for Conservation Week 🌱

A few weeks ago, we had the privilege of celebrating Conservation Week in the best way we know how  hands in the soil, surrounded by community, restoring the whenua.

Alongside Ngāti Rangi, the Department of Conservation, local whānau, and businesses such as Transpower NZ, we came together for a restoration planting day at Ngā Roto-o-Rangataua (Lakes Reserve).

Over 400 Native Plants in the Ground

By the end of the day, more than 400 trees had found their place in the soil. These weren’t just plants - they were future shade, habitats, erosion control, and a gift back to the land. Each hole dug and seedling planted was a step toward stronger ecosystems and healthier waterways.

Why We Do What We Do

At Sustaina Grow, our purpose has never been just about creating sustainable gardening products. It has always been about something deeper: helping people reconnect with the land.

Days like this remind us that restoration isn’t just physical work. It’s about building relationships - between people and place, between iwi and businesses, between past and future. When we come together as a community, we don’t just plant seedlings. We plant hope, resilience, and connection.

Gratitude and Looking Ahead

We’re deeply grateful to everyone who joined us, and to all those across Aotearoa who continue to support conservation and restoration efforts. These collective actions add up. They strengthen the whenua and they strengthen us too.

As we left Ngā Roto-o-Rangataua, the soil was damp, the plants were standing tall, and the feeling of shared purpose lingered. For us, that’s what true sustainability looks like -  people and planet flourishing together.

💚 Ngā mihi nui to Ngāti Rangi, DoC, Transpower NZ, and our wider community for making the day so special.