A Whakatāne District Council and Tāneatua community pilot project will see 21 new fruit trees planted in Tāneatua this week, in the road reserves on Howell, Amokura and Morrison Roads.

Council staff have trialed the planting of fruiting trees in public parks in the town over the last two seasons, including in Jack Knowles Reserve, but this is the first time fruit trees will be planted as part of the public streetscape.

The 1.5-2 m tall trees have been generously donated by Pride Whakatāne (a local group aligned with Keep New Zealand Beautiful) and consist of a mix of pears, apples, plums and nashis.

The Council’s Open Spaces team has worked to find suitable locations that won't interfere with services, or affect traffic and pedestrian safety, while providing maximum access to local residents.
It is hoped that the community will act as kaitiaki and will share their produce with whānau when the trees start producing fruit from late-summer.

The trees will be planted with help from tamariki at Tāneatua School and it is hoped that these children will share their experience with their caregivers and wider whānau.

If this project is successful, consideration will be given to planting fruit trees in additional areas, as funding becomes available.