Ōkārito Plant Project celebrates one year

Founded by a dedicated group of local tourism operators, the Ōkārito Plant Project was launched with a shared commitment: to protect and restore the region’s unique natural environment. This initiative has fostered a lasting partnership between businesses, landowners, and community members, showcasing how environmental stewardship and tourism can go hand in hand.

The project’s mission is to restore wetlands, streams, and wildlife corridors throughout South Westland, boosting biodiversity and creating opportunities for businesses and visitors to contribute meaningfully to these environmental efforts.

Key milestones achieved in the first year

• Growing support: The project now has 14 participating organisations, highlighting the growing interest among local businesses.
• Community engagement: Over 1,300 volunteer hours have been dedicated to restoring critical ecosystems, with businesses, landowners, and the community working side by side.
• Employment opportunities: The project has created four part-time roles, directly benefiting the local economy.
• Education and involvement: Eight environmental education days have been held for local schools, inspiring the next generation of stewards. Additionally, seven planting days have been organised with business involvement.
• Ecosystem restoration: More than 2,000 eco-sourced native trees have been planted in South Westland, contributing to the improvement of regional waterways.

Trust Board Chairperson Aaron Smith praised the collaboration between tourism operators, landowners, and key partners such as Development West Coast and the Department of Conservation.

“The success of the Ōkārito Plant Project thus far is a testament to the power of collaboration between the tourism industry and the South Westland community. We look forward to working with all stakeholders to grow the project and offering more businesses and tourists a meaningful way to give back to the region,” Smith said.

The AGM was attended by local business leaders, landowners, and representatives from support organisations, reinforcing the collective commitment to the project’s future growth.