The public has donated thousands of plants and seeds to the Whangarei Quarry Gardens after an arson attack wiped out 2.5ha of native bush at the popular tourist spot. Following the blaze earlier this month, a public fundraising venture was launched. Money, native seeds and trees were called for to helpreplace the burnt pampas, scrub, regenerating bush and recently planted natives. The response has overwhelmed Whangarei Quarry Gardens manager David Muir, who said "thousands" of native seeds, about 1000 plants and more than $700 had been donated. "The people who have donated have been mortified that someone could burn a community asset like this and they just want to help repair it," Mr Muir said. ``This shows the spirit of the community. They rallied around to help when the going got tough.'' He wanted the charred hillside to be replanted before Christmas, but thousands more seeds were still needed, as was money to get the job done with a seed thrower. Those donating plants are asked to hand them over in autumn which was the best planting time, he said. Meanwhile, the arsonists are still on the loose, with the Forest Protection Services continuing to investigate.
