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The first trees in the One Billion Trees planting programme are in the ground.
Forestry Minister Shane Jones planted the first tree yesterday in the grounds of Manutuke School, and other trees were planted by Associate Agriculture Minister Meka Whaitiri, Gisborne Mayor Meng Foon, Primary Industries Ministry interim head of forestry Julie Collins, and Manutuke board of trustees chair Cindy Wills.
Mr Jones says the five symbolic natives planted – kowhai, totara, kahikitea, puriri and matai – are the start of a 10-year programme that will create sustainable jobs in the regions and help New Zealand meet its carbon emissions targets.
Tairawhiti has huge afforestation potential and it’s also where 26 percent of the land is susceptible to severe erosion, compared to 8 per cent of land around the rest of the country.
The One Billion Trees programme means some land in the region can be retired or used to regenerate native bush and return land to a productive and sustainable state.
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