Leading New Zealand natural gas provider Todd Energy has recommitted to its Planting Trees for Tomorrow partnership with Taranaki Rugby for 2024 and 2025.

The initiative will see Todd Energy employees and the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls squad working with Taranaki school tamariki to complete two significant riparian planting sessions in each year. One whenua planting engagement will be held in North Taranaki and one engagement in South Taranaki.

The Planting Trees for Tomorrow partnership between Todd Energy and Taranaki Rugby kicked off in 2022 and aligns with Todd Energy’s commitment to supporting New Zealand’s transition to a low emissions future.

The project has already seen two successful native planting sessions held on private rural property bordering Matapu School, as well as one each at Ōwae Marae with Manukorihi Intermediate students and at Tikorangi School to plant around its new pump track.

After each native planting session Todd Energy employees, Yarrows Taranaki Bulls players and the tamariki connect with kai (a barbeque and a Yarrows cookie) before participating in a range of fun games and activities.

In 2024 the Planting Trees For Tomorrow partnership will also collaborate with Trees for Survival. Todd Energy will donate $10 to Trees for Survival for each try scored by the Yarrows Taranaki Bulls in the 2024 Bunnings NPC.

Trees for Survival is a charitable trust working with over 200 schools and local communities across Aotearoa New Zealand to grow and plant native trees along waterways and at-risk sites.

The trust’s environmental education programme first came to Taranaki schools in 2022 with support from Todd Energy and provides an opportunity for school children to make a practical difference to their environment as well as learn about conservation, revegetation, wetland restoration and protecting stream quality.

The Planting Trees for Tomorrow partnership aligns closely with Todd Energy’s commitment to making a positive and sustainable contribution to Taranaki says Community Partnerships Manager, David Riley.

“As a leading natural gas provider committed to Energising New Zealand, Todd Energy seeks out opportunities to support, enable and co-create opportunities that directly benefit the communities where we operate.”

“Over the last two years, our partnership with Taranaki Rugby has enabled a number of local tamariki to make a positive contribution to their own natural environment in both north and south Taranaki. Not only are there clear environmental benefits with this important mahi, but the tamariki also benefit from the meaningful, hands-on educational experience they receive in the process.”

“We’re very pleased to be extending our Planting Trees for Tomorrow partnership for a further two years, and look forward to continuing to work alongside Taranaki Rugby, its players and local school students and community members to see even more planting projects brought life across our Taranaki communities.”

Article added: Thursday 04 April 2024