Thames Environmental Alliance - TEA

23/09/2026

A how to on how to live on Earth. Inspiring viewing in this free documentary.

What if the solutions to building a better future already exist?H...

10/09/2026

Great work Neil Wainwright for your upkeep and planting on the Moanataiari and other local Thames tracks! 100s of native seedlings added to taiao in the last month alone! An environmental legend! We can all make a difference one native at a time!

03/09/2026

Here’s an update on the Arboretum.

The entrance had become heavily overgrown with w**ds. Climbing asparagus is also prevalent throughout the Arboretum, and there was a steep bank choking natives on the south of the track. Two large wattles, a large privet and a huge climbing vine were also suffocating native plants at the entrance - including three kauri previously planted by the Mayor and Thames Community Board Chair.

Work completed:

• In 2025, TEA, working with Predator Free Hauraki Coromandel Community Trust, Aaron, Logan and Jeffrey - removed the three large invasive trees and the climbing vine.
• TEA held a community working bee to w**d and plant the entrance.
• PFHC, Jeffrey and Brent cleared climbing asparagus from the steep bank, a request from the local Arboretum Weeding group for help.
• PFHC, Aaron, Logan and Jeffrey cleared around the upper lookout, reopening the view over the Kauaeranga River.
• In 2026, PFHC, Jeffrey and Logan cleared fallen debris and emerging w**ds from the area where the large trees had been removed.
• PFHC, Logan poisoned some smaller wattle behind the entrance.
• Brent today planted 60+ native plants in the cleared space by the entrance, to add to the previous 50+ plants from 2025.

There's still a few spots in our sights!

John William Hall Arboretum

22/08/2026

The Karaka Trailhead was once a dark and daunting privet tunnel. Not the nicest way to enter, or even find the popular Karaka Creek waterfall and Karaka Track.

We started working on this site in early 2025, and after 18 months of clearing privet, controlling regrowth and preparing the ground, today felt like a really satisfying milestone - a community planting day that saw more than 250 native plants go into the ground.

Thanks to everyone who has helped get us here, and to those who have been patient with our work in progress.

A huge thanks to:

Partners Aaron, Geoffrey and Logan from Predator Free Hauraki Coromandel Community Trust for the hard work - from the initial felling and cutting firewood for locals, to scrub barring the site and digging hundreds of planting holes in some seriously rock-hard ground.

Jamie at Pare Hauraki Nursary for supplying the beautiful, locally eco-sourced native plants that will eventually grow to provide welcoming entrance, and habitat for our native birds.

STIHL SHOP Thames for the loan of our w**d eater and electric chainsaw, which have been invaluable for controlling the multiple shoots of privet and w**d regrowth after the initial clearing.

Thames-Coromandel District Council for the initial grant and permissions that allowed us to begin restoring the entrance to the Karaka.

And finally, all the volunteers who gave up their time today to get more than 250 plants into the ground. Many hands really do make light work. Great turnout today thanks Brent Courtney, Eric Zwaan, Aaron Pullford, Russel S***t, Sue, Ric Balfour, Neil Wainwright, Greg, Jaime and Megan Nisbet, Stuart, Shannon Silcock, Laura Hamilton, Gaz etc.

There’s still more to do, mulch to spread, w**ds to control but it’s pretty satisfying to look back at what this entrance was 18 months ago, and see what it’s becoming.

Thanks!

19/08/2026

Planting bee 10am-2pm this Saturday 22nd August!

We picked up a few hundred beautiful natives from Pare Hauraki Nursery today in preparation for Saturday!

Speaking of preparation, the team at Predator Free Hauraki Coromandel Community Trust have pre-dug a few hundred holes for us to plant into - saving our backs digging into the rock hard, ex-mining over burden and tailings.

Our plan is to plant away, add some compost, tidy up, then mulch around the plants and area. Easy with a few hands.

Please bring gloves (we'll have some too if you need), a large bucket for transplanting mulch to the plants, and a shovel.

Kids welcome!!

Thanks!

11/08/2026

“Blessed are those who plants trees under whose shade they will never sit.” — Indian proverb

We've spent the last 18 months clearing the entrance to the Karaka Track, then controlling the subsequent onslaught of w**ds. Now it's time to plant!!!!

So on Saturday the 22nd August from 10am-2pm we're getting together to do a mass planting session. We'll also throw some mulch around the base of each native to nourish them, keep them moist and suppress the w**ds.

So bring yourself, friends or family - the more the merrier! Also bring some gloves, a spade, and a large bucket to shift plants and mulch onto site.

The holes will even be pre-dug thanks to the team at Predator Free Hauraki Coromandel Community Trust. Eco-sourced native plants will be provided from to Pare Hauraki Nursery.

Thames Mountain Bike Club Thames-Coromandel District Council

05/05/2026

We have an expert Privet Trial Plan. Now we need funding to make it happen, and we need your help.

This work isn’t just about restoring native biodiversity. It’s about the community wellbeing too. Many of you have told us about the intensity of privet flowering and the impact it’s having on your health. We’ve listened.

Community support is essential. It’s a prerequisite for securing co-funding. Funders want to see that this matters locally.

Every dollar raised shows that support. It strengthens our case and helps unlock larger funding.

So if you can give a little or a lot, now is the time.

Head over to Givealittle and donate today.

https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/thames-privet-trials #!

A community-led trial to restore the Thames hills from invasive privet back to native forest.