30th August 2025 Moanataiari Lookout Planting Bee

Kia ora tātou!

This month’s working bee is the final planting session of the season, taking place at the newly established Moanataiari Lookout on 30th August. An earlier event saw the site cleared of weeds and the picnic table installed . . . now it’s time for the finishing touches with some planting. With its stunning views across Thames and the Firth, we need to establish a good low-growing ground-cover around the lookout to prevent the reinvasion of weeds.

Enjoying the view and new picnic table at the top
New entrance way with signage and boot cleaning station
Signage integrating this new track into the DoC network
New picnic table at the lookout with views over Thames

The work will take place at the lookout, which is approximately 15 minutes’ walk up a steepish track from the carpark.

We need your help . . .

For this event to be successful, we’d love your help in person (of course!) but we also need support to fund plants. We’ve set up a Give A Little page, where everything raised will go towards our planting and weed control work.

Donate now

If you’re able to donate, thanks very much!

If you’re not, please share this page to spread the word instead!

If you can come on the day, we look forward to seeing you, and please read on for details . . .

About the event

When: 12 noon – 4pm on Saturday August 30th

Please bring:

  • Clean footwear. There is a boot cleaning station at the track entrance – please use it!
  • Clean tools (spade / digging stick / trowel)
  • Gardening gloves (there is still some gorse around)
  • If possible, large container(s) of water. Because we’re at the top of the hill, we’ll need to carry up water to help the plants get established. The more people who can share this job, the more our backs will thank us!
  • A mug for a cuppa once the work is done.

TEA will supply:

  • Hot drinks and snacks
  • Plants, fertiliser, water crystals etc
  • Enthusiasm!

How to get there:

Follow Moanataiari Creek Road all the way to the carpark area at the top. Please don’t block the gate! From here, use the boot cleaning station then follow the track for about 15 minutes all the way to the Moanataiari Lookout at the top. Keep right at all the junctions.

Any questions? Email cuppa@tea.org.nz or contact Daniel on 021 228 3806.

We hope to see you there!