Why not take some time out to do your bit for our coastal environment this Arbour Day? Pride Whakatāne District Committee has organised a community planting day on Sunday, 19 June to acknowledge Arbour Day in the Whakatāne District.

Pride Whakatāne has received 89 locally-sourced native dune restoration plants from Keep NZ Beautiful and invites enthusiastic volunteers to help plant these in aid of dune protection.

Eastern Bay of Plenty Coast Care Officer Wayne O’Keefe will be coordinating the planting and providing guidance along the way.

Enthusiastic volunteers are invited to meet at 9:30 am at the Ōhope Spit Reserve carpark, at the very end of Harbour Road in Ōhope. Please bring a sharp spade, gloves and suitable footwear. All participants will be rewarded for their efforts with a hot cuppa and a muffin.

Since 1977, Arbour Day has been celebrated in New Zealand with the planting of trees and is officially observed on 5 June, which is also World Environment Day.