Real Impact: Growing the Next Generation of Kaitiaki in Taupō
When we think about environmental action, it's easy to focus on what we can see: trees planted, waterways restored, and habitats brought back to life. Yet some of the most powerful outcomes can't be measured in hectares or seedlings, they're found in the young people who develop a lasting connection to te taiao.
That's why we're highlighting the work of our hub Project Tongariro and its Kids Greening Taupō programme as part of our Real Impact series.
Project Tongariro is one of our member hubs and has been working across the Tongariro region for more than 40 years, helping to protect and restore local ecosystems. Through a range of initiatives focused on native restoration planting and pest and weed control, they are creating healthier environments for native plants and wildlife to thrive.
Their fantastic Kids Greening Taupō programme gives young people hands-on opportunities to learn through nature.
They work with every school in Taupō township, as well as rural schools, kura kaupapa and early childhood centres across the district. The programme engages 46 schools and ECE centres with active native restoration planting projects, giving tamariki and rangatahi hands-on opportunities to learn about conservation, biodiversity and kaitiakitanga while contributing to meaningful environmental projects.
The results speak for themselves.
Together, Project Tongariro, Greening Taupō, and Kids Greening Taupō students, whānau, and community volunteers have planted more than 300,000 native trees and contributed over 60,000 volunteer hours to environmental restoration.
The impact extends beyond schools through Greening Taupō Day, an annual community event that brings together the community for a day of planting, environmental learning and celebration including their ‘Dress up Green’ day. They have just run their 2026 event with around 2,000 people, including over 1,300 students coming along.
Greening Taupō Day
By investing in tamariki and rangatahi today, Kids Greening Taupō is helping build a future generation of environmental leaders and kaitiaki. It's a powerful example of what happens when communities are supported by organisations like Project Tongariro to give young people the tools, support and opportunities to engage and lead environmental mahi.
This is Real Impact. Not just trees planted today, but future generations of kaitiaki growing alongside them
Find out more about Project Tongariro, Kids Greening Taupo and the legacy they are building:
Our Changing World RNZ feature: Turning Taupō green
Find your local Environment Hub and discover how you can get involved: www.environmenthubs.nz/members