Digging it at tree-planting initiative

A tremendous effort from Riverton locals on Saturday resulted in more than 450 trees being planted at Aparima College in Southland.

The mass planting of mostly native trees was held as the college's application for the TREEmendous initiative was successful.

It is a joint initiative between the Mazda Foundation and Project Crimson, and Mazda New Zealand representative Maria Tsao said it effectively created an outdoor learning area for intermediate and primary school children.

The children also had the opportunity to learn from "The Bugman" Ruud Kleinpaste and "The Sharkman" Riley Elliot.

Mr Kleinpaste said we could learn from nature and bugs were a good way to get children interested.

Many community groups got involved and lots of families showed up to help - 3-year-old Struan Grout (above) did his part by digging a suitably sized hole to put a young tree in.