Last Words

A group of (mostly) women are regenerating Gisborne's flora, one eco-sourced seed at a time.

The tree whisperers

"Wild, natural spaces are what we all need."

In the nursery, Karen 'Kauri' Forno is surrounded by itsy-bitsy sprouts and soon-to-be saplings. Kauri has big plans for her babies. One day, when the harakeke, tī kōuka, and kōwhai are all grown up, they will help cloak Gisborne with native bush once again. “Our kaupapa (purpose) is to bring native trees back to Tairāwhiti, to recloak Papatūānuku (the land),” says the nursery manager of the Women's Native Tree Project Trust.

Kauri joined the charity trust when she first moved to the East Coast in the 1990s. At that time, the nursery was little more than a trustee's backyard. These days, the 300m² nursery is home to a donated glasshouse, bucketloads of potting mix, and thousands of native seedlings. The operation requires a small army of 30-40 volunteers (including some men) who raise native species for locals, community spaces, marae, restoration projects, and schools around Gisborne. Last year, they donated more than 5000 native trees.

“Native trees are important on so many levels. People love walking through the bush, so the more native trees there are in community spaces, the healthier we all will be,” she says.

The Women's Native Tree Project is the brainchild of Kathie Fletcher and Maree Conaglen, who dreamed of growing a native tree for every woman in Gisborne. The project, initially for women only, was formed in the late 1980s.

“(Women's) voices weren't necessarily being heard in other groups at the time. So they set up a monthly hui as a safe space for little kids, babies, and quiet voices to thrive,” says Kauri.

It's her job to ensure that all seeds are eco-sourced, which means they come from species indigenous to the area. Luckily, several locals with QEII covenants allow Kauri and a few trustees to source seed from their trees.

“We want to honour the whakapapa (genetic heritage) of our trees. These trees have had thousands of years to get used to our hot, dry summers. We don't want to disrupt that,” she says.

In some cases, native trees teach important lessons. St Mary's Catholic Primary School students learn to plant, regularly maintain, and even propagate their donated trees. In other cases, native trees honour tradition. Local midwives picked up 16 native trees for their mums-to-be as part of a partnership with Mokopuna Ora.

“It's a traditional Māori way of respecting the mama, the earth, and the baby,” says Kauri.

Volunteers won't rest until the land is tucked snugly under a blanket of native trees. Their working bees also include trapping predators, busting weeds, and teaching workshops on how to grow native trees.

“Because wild, natural spaces are what we all need.”