Our Mission:
Community Conservation.
Building healthy neighbourhoods by increasing the greenery in our community and promoting green urban development is good for people, business and the environment.
Greening Taupō was established to improve the Taupō environment for the people and native wildlife—it's an opportunity to participate in a community conservation initiative.
“If only trees gave out WIFI, we’d plant so many we’d be in danger of saving the planet.
Too bad they only produce the air we breathe…”
2026 Community Planting Days
Mark these dates in your calendar.
All are welcome!
Our Impact
Greening Taupo is a collaborative project that to date has achieved great things. Partners and members from our community have come together with the objective to regenerate our environment that will benefit our generation and the generations to come.
Our Projects
Greening Taupō facilitates several projects in and around the Taupō region from larger scale planting sites that have been undertaken across 30 years to smaller sites in local neighbourhoods. With many projects underway, you’ll be sure to find one close in your own backyard.
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With its proximity to the Waikato River Corridor and as a gateway to our town, Wairakei Drive is a key project. The restorative work here is being driven by Shawn ‘The Vegetator’ Vennell and the team from Quality Print. Planting along the Drive is becoming a great collaborative effort with the community and local businesses backing the vision.
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Greening Taupō has partnered up with the Taupō Golf Club on Project Birdlife. This is an exciting restoration project focused on the areas at and surrounding the grounds of the Taupō Golf Club. More planting sites at Taupo Golf Club have been identified and we are ready to rally the community again to plant and care for the newly planted native trees.
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The Waikato River Trench is a major gateway into Taupō by road, foot and bike this is a significant link for bird life from Wairakei Golf & Sanctuary to Taupō town and beyond. The river valley has a major track network on both sides and the river attracts a huge numbers of visitors. With restoration, it will link the birds back into town but it will also be a huge benefit to outdoor users.
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The Whakaipo Bay Recreation Reserve is a stunning location on the shores of Great Lake Taupō; this former farm is now a very significant recreation area for Taupō and the wider New Zealand community. Community planting has been undertaken at this site annually for over 30 years and Greening Taupō is proud to coordinate the annual planting day every year in September.
Get Involved
There are many opportunities to support Greening Taupō when you find yourself with some time and the inclination. Whether it be preparing land for planting, planting days, weed control or pest eradication any help is hugely appreciated.
Sign up to our Greening Taupo eNewsletter so you can keep up to date with news including upcoming community planting days and opportunities to get involved.
We are always looking for volunteers to help with various jobs from planting preparation, planning, planting, weeding to help keeping this website up to date!
Every Tuesday the Wicked Weeders meet and revisit planting sites giving them the TLC they need to survive and thrive. It’s an awesome group who get out and muck in every week.
Take control of your own backyard
What to plant
We’ve developed a comprehensive list of recommended plants for you to plant in your own backyard. Natives and some exotics, but all plants that will thrive in our local region and that will help us on our mission to bring back the birds!
Birdlife
So it’s about the birds…what can you expect to see in your own backyard? This list of birds includes those that are common in our region as well as ones that you are less common but you might be one of the lucky ones and spot one!
Pest control
Our partner organisation Predator Free Taupō is all over this. It’s a coordinated community based trapping program that will enhance the environment so our birds can thrive. The aim is to have every household in the greater Taupō area trapping!
Learning Through Nature
Mai i te kopae ki te urupa, e tatou ako tonu ai.
From the cradle to the grave, we are forever learning.
Kids Greening Taupō provides our children and young people with opportunities to learn about and take action for our native plants and animals.
Bring back the birds
A coordinated community based trapping program will enhance the environment so our birds can thrive.
Predator Free Taupō aims to have every household in the greater Taupō area trapping rats, mustelids and possums.
Our Partners
Greening Taupō has awesome support from the Taupō community.
We couldn’t do it without them!
When a new tree is born,
Fresh with life and new leaf;
The earth and the skies,
Breathe a sigh of relief.
Standing strong in the soil,
Growing taller with care;
She will shelter the ground,
And nourish the air.
With the flutter of wings,
And the chirping of birds;
A new joy will spring forth,
And songs will be heard.
For she is a native,
And belongs to this land;
And year after year,
Her mana will stand.
- Donnee Murray -
Get in touch
We'd love to hear from you!
Greening Taupō is a community organisation and we welcome feedback and contribution from our community so feel free to get in touch. We’d love to hear from you!
