Te Kākano Aotearoa Trust’s impact report for 2025 has highlighted a year of community engagement, environmental restoration, and education initiatives across the Upper Clutha basin.

“This year we passed the milestone of our 65,000th native planted in the Upper Clutha since 2010 - that’s an average of more than 4,000 every year for the past 15 years,” Te Kākano chair Greg Nelson said.

During the past year Te Kākano delivered a series of community planting days to restore local habitats, during which 5,236 eco-sourced native plants were planted.

Greg said another highlight of the year was the continued success of the Interwoven project, which promotes harakeke (flax) as a sustainable alternative to plastic plant guards used in restoration work. 

Workshops taught participants weaving skills grounded in mātauranga Māori, creating practical tools that directly support habitat restoration. 

"The project demonstrates how traditional knowledge and environmental action can work hand in hand," Greg said.

“You can see the beautiful weaved guards at some of the planting sites."

These photographs show progress at Stoney Creek from years of Te Kākano planting.

Te Kākano’s education programme continued to expand in 2025, delivering programmes on ecological literacy, kaitiakitanga, and practical skills.

“Our work is grounded in community,” Te Kākano manager Loran Verpillot said.

“This report reflects what we can achieve together - restoring ecosystems, strengthening wellbeing, and building practical skills for a more sustainable future.”

The 2025 Impact Report also acknowledges the dedication of volunteers, contractors, partners, and supporters who made the work possible through funding, hands-on support, sponsorship and collaboration. 

The full 2025 Impact Report is available online.

PHOTOS: Te Kākano