Conservationists, dignitaries and special guests celebrated three significant milestones in the Kopurererua Valley restoration project on Friday.
Two carved pou (carved posts), created by the mana whenua of the valley, Ngai Tamarawaho hapu of Ngati Ranginui iwi, were blessed and unveiled at the 300ha site, situated between the residential areas
of Te Reti, Gate Pa, Greerton, Westridge and Cambridge Heights.
The gathering also marked the official opening of a wooden bridge that crosses the re-aligned Kopurererua Stream, opening up a previously inaccessible island in the valley.
Three hundred plantings took place on Friday, with 30,000 plants set to be planted over three community planting days scheduled for throughout the year.
The re-vegetation project was made possible thanks to a $60,000 grant from the Ministry for the Environment's Community Environment Fund.