May 22, 2013
Marae planting project backed by district council
Ora Taiao, the New Zealand Climate and Health Council has teamed up with a Wellington urban marae and the Wellington City Council to grow a dedicated carbon forest.
Spokesperson Dr George Laking says the project will give health professionals a way to offset their carbon emissions from flying, driving, and electricity used by paying for trees.
Ngā Hau e Whā ō Papararangi marae and the council will manage the project, with students from local schools doing the planting.
Dr Laking says Ora Taiao aims to raise awareness of the serious threats to human health posed by the changing climate.
The marae has a 20-year planting programme it hopes will return the north-eastern hills of Newlands to something like their pre-European state.
It is also putting in plants for weaving and for rongoa or natural medicine.
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