Bringing together 23 students and over 40 residents, the group spent the morning potting seedlings, pulling weeds, and tending to 450 native plants established earlier in the year as part of a continuing restoration project. It wasn’t just the wetland that flourished, it was the connection between generations that truly stole the show.
Pedro Sanchez, Managing Director of Bupa New Zealand, said seeing the residents and students working together was deeply moving.
“One of our residents said it felt like Christmas. They were so excited, they couldn’t sleep last night,” Sanchez said. “This is why we do this work, not just to care for the land, but to build community and wellbeing through it.”
The day was part of the Junior Landcare Programme, a collaboration between the Bupa Foundation and NZ Landcare Trust. The initiative aims to connect schools and retirement communities through hands-on environmental projects.
“We’ve had residents who are usually quite reserved come out and get involved,” Sanchez said. “One built such a lovely connection with a student that the mum asked if they could visit again. That’s what this is all about, manaakitanga, connection, and giving back to the whenua.”
The group also took part in a weed identification walk and interactive games that taught tamariki about the importance of ecological corridors and biodiversity.
Oliver Tattersfield, a teacher from Glenbervie School, said:
“It was neat to see the children engaging with the most experienced generation and such a positive experience for everyone involved. The residents were absolutely blown away by how cooperative and hardworking the children were, and it was heartwarming to see those genuine connections forming. The children are already looking forward to returning next year.”
The Tikipunga Wetland is gradually being transformed into a space the wider community can enjoy and learn from. Sanchez said the vision is to see the wetland become a living example of what can be achieved when communities come together, young and old, to look after their shared environment.
