Things have come full circle for tamariki from Naenae Primary and Rātā Street schools who returned to Walter Mildenhall Park to plant native species they selected a year ago.

The planting marks an important step in the Walter Mildenhall Park upgrade, which is on track for in the next few months- joining the new Te Mako Naenae Community Centre and Te Ngaengae Pool + Fitness to revitalise the town centre.

Both schools are part of Enviroschools, a programme that supports young people to design and lead sustainability projects.

Their involvement with the project began last year when Council designers visited classrooms to share the park’s plans and invite tamariki to select the native species that would help bring the park to life.

Those choices are being realised with tamariki planting alongside the Council team to create a legacy that will shape the park for generations.

Amongst those who helped plant out the park were 10-year-olds Phoenix and Redeem. The Naenae locals were excited to get their hands dirty and be a part of something lasting.

"It’s cool as," remarked Phoenix.

"It’s his first time planting trees," he points to Redeem, "but I’ve been planting since I was five."

"I know heaps of stuff about plants and cars. All the plants look happy and healthy and hydrated."

Mayor Campbell Barry said it was great to see local tamariki come back to the park to finish what they started.

"Last year they helped choose the plants and now they’re back to put them in the ground. That’s what happens when we give young people a say in shaping their neighbourhood.

"This is about more than just planting trees. It’s part of the wider effort to bring new life back to Naenae - and these tamariki are right at the heart of it."

The students’ chosen plants included Wharaiki, Mānuka, Huruhuru whenua, Kowhai, and more. Their reasons for selection ranged from "it’s pretty like a princess," to "it’s spikey and strong" and "it has beautiful flowers and will bring birds and insects."

The upgraded Walter Mildenhall Park will feature sheltered shared kai areas, enclosed play spaces, and improved accessibility - all shaped by community input.

With tamariki completing the planting, the park stands as a living example of how design, culture, and local voices can come together as one.

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