Thousands of plants now in the ground as part of Te Hoiere Project have originated from Rolleston Prison southwest of Christchurch.
Initiated in 2019, this multi-partner project seeks to revitalise Te Hoiere/Pelorus catchments from the mountains into the sea (ki uta ki tai) and be a leading example of community-driven environmental restoration.
Te Hoiere Project Catchment Care Co-ordinator Aubrey Tai said there was a Rolleston plant in nearly every part of the catchment.
“Over the past three years, plants from Rolleston had gone onto approximately 17 different properties in Te Hoiere catchment.
“They have really been instrumental in supporting the project and we appreciate everything those involved have done. It is a great fit for us,” says Aubrey. “Seeds for the plants Rolleston supplied have also been eco-sourced locally.”
Principal Instructor Wayne McDonald and Instructor Christine Franks visited the catchment late last year to see firsthand where the prisoners’ handiwork has ended up. This included the Havelock Causeway/Motueka planting which now has more than 48,300 plants in situ planted over the past two and a half years with Rolleston providing around 10 per cent, primarily flax and carex.
Aubrey says it was great to host Wayne and Christine and show them some of the sites which have benefited from plants from the Rolleston nursery and introduce them to some of the local landowners involved with the project.
The relationship between Te Hoiere Project and Rolleston Prison’s nursery began in 2021 although the nursery has been working with Marlborough District Council since 2018 to supply plants for other projects around the district including combating hillside erosion.
Rolleston Prison currently has 18 men in the Horticulture area and working toward qualifications – the NZ Certificate in Primary Industries skills Horticulture (Level 2) and the NZ Certificate in Horticulture Nursery Production (Level 3).
“All our workers complete workplace health and safety unit standards along with workplace on the job training and they gain valuable life skills and work ethics,” says Wayne. “It’s been a pleasure supplying the Te Hoiere Project with plants and the prisoners have been greatly encouraged by seeing photos of the plantings.”
To read more about Te Hoiere project, visit https://www.tehoiere.