Recently, the Mangere Development team was proud to help launch the new Nga Hau o Maangere Ngahere Planting Guide, a collaboration between mana whenua, Mangere East Family Services, Uru Whakaaro and Kāinga Ora.

Around 60 representatives from the community and contributing organisations came together for kōrero and kai to celebrate the guide, which is now available on the sustainability section of the Kāinga Ora website.

The guide steps the reader through a decision making process for selecting the right tree for the right place, as guided by Te Ao Māori values and principles. It aims to be an accessible resource, used by all those working to protect, restore and regenerate ngahere across the many landscapes of Ngaa Hau o Maangere.

The Ngaa Hau o Maangere Planting Guidelines forms part of the Mangere Ngahere Demonstration Project, which aims to increase canopy cover in Mangere and support the Local Board’s Ngahere Action Plan. The Demonstration Project is also helping Kāinga Ora develop frameworks, policies, ways of working and tools for how we can contribute to protecting and enhancing ngahere on all Kāinga Ora properties and the communities that we work with.

We’re pleased to begin using this guide alongside Auckland Council, the community, and our build and alliance partners – knowing our planting efforts are guided by mana whenua and the ecological values of Maangere.