With a collaborative effort from rangatahi, parents, whanau and the wider community, the project has managed to plant over 3300 native trees, providing important habitat for native wildlife and improving the soil health and water quality. A grant from the Northland Community Foundation Grassroots Fund helped to cover the cost of project coordination and mentors for the project. Grassroots Funds are destined for use in the Northland community for projects that support the development and wellbeing of tamariki, rangatahi and whanau in the Northland community. The Whakapakari Whenua project worked alongside youth from Tokotoko Alternative Education program, with over 70 rangatahi working alongside mentors from WithIN Nature to learn more about their natural surroundings. The program gave rangatahi the chance to learn more about traditional māori practices, to gain valuable outdoor experience and to learn more about themselves. The program also helped develop a sense of community cohesion, with many members of the wider community taking part in the program. Marcus from WithIN Nature described the program as a catalyst for broader community engagement and awareness around environmental issues. Marcus said: “I looked around and I was concerned about tamariki growing up and being completely disconnected from their whenua. The idea was born from this – to partner rangatahi with mentors and engage them to connect to the whenua. To help them understand who they are and give those who are adrift an anchor to the land”. Through the Whakapakiri Whenua Project, the WithIN Nature team were able to reach a wider audience, and inspire others to take action in caring for the whenua. The project has had tangible outcomes and has helped the community to strengthen their cultural identity and connection to the land, through the efforts to restore and protect the whenua.
