By SHIRLEY WHITWELL in Kawerau
The children at Kawerau Central School have been doing their bit to help keep their Eastern Bay of Plenty town beautiful.
They've taken to gardening and their efforts have paid off, earning them first place in the schools section of the Keep Kawerau
Beautiful garden competition.
The school gardens were looked after by volunteer parents and children and were three years in the making.
Principal William Fuller said the formerly bare grounds now boasted year-round colour with the children taking particular pride in their gardens.
"Rarely do we have to ask children to pick up rubbish," he said.
The winners of the open section of the garden competition put eight years of work into their extreme garden makeover.
It took that long for Jessie and Bruce Slade to clear and replant their garden which now features plants collected from throughout New Zealand.
The Slades are both keen gardeners and collected plants during holidays around the country in their motorhome.
When they moved to Kawerau eight years ago, they faced an overgrown garden with a pool and large trees.
They have now been replaced with lawns, garden beds, a pond and vegetable garden.
All year round the pair spend and hour or two each day in their garden.
"We don't need to go to the gym.
"We get our exercise and good health by being gardeners," said Mr Slade.
