Our senior classes have been working with PiPS (People and Plants in Schools) growing native plants from seeds collected on Mauao. These seedlings are intended to replace other plants on Mauao so that the area can return to native bush.

Josh, one of the Mauao rangers came to a special assembly to present the certificate to our senior students in recognition of their work as kaitiaki.

Nina, our garden tutor, comes into the school every Thursday to share her love of nature and knowledge of growing plants with our children.

The next project is to put a bore in next to the school gardens to ensure the survival of our gardens during the dry hot summers.

PiPS is also working with Mr Webster to install a small nursery shed to help with propagation and development of plants from seeds.

The area is becoming more intensified with citrus plants and apple plants starting to spread their roots and more gardens going in along the Somervale lane fenceline.