Kowhai plantings in Ōpōtiki

Council has a hardworking gardening team and they are committed to using natives, particularly local natives, whenever possible. They do bring a lot of birdlife and vibrancy to our green spaces.

There is a lot of planting work down at the skatepark at the moment and most of that is native planting. I have spoken to the gardening team and kowhai will definitely be considered in the planting plan around the reserve.

The team leader noted that there are eight varieties of kowhai, ranging from small shrubs to large trees, so choosing the right kowhai is important. We even have three types of kowhai planted right out the front of the council building and a few varieties in town.

The gardeners also noted that for those planting at home, kowhai like being in neutral ph or sandy soil, well-drained and in full sun. So because the water table is quite high around the skate park, they would have to be planted on mounded bunds for the best results.

Of course, it is great to see an enthusiasm for planting kowhai! They are a beautiful plant in the right location and certainly well-suited to most parts of the district. We’ll always keep an eye out for more opportunities to get kowhai established in community spaces.

Trees are a common issue in neighbour disputes so it is also important to consider other factors above and beyond growing conditions before planting a tree near a boundary.

That is also true for our public spaces – we all appreciate our green spaces, but trees can’t be planted on public land without permission. Trees bring shade and birds, amenity and improve the air. But they can also block the drains, break pipes, raise footpaths, hide views, block driver vision, cast shadows, and sometimes fall down in high winds. So it is important to consider all these things together before planting.