Mihi School Projects

We were excited to start working with Mihi School in 2025. After doing an introduction session, we walked around the grounds and looked at the native trees at the school. The students pointed out a rock garden at the front of the school that looked like it needed some love. They suggested it could be a good lizard habitat, which we thought was a great idea. The students planned the project and applied for the Contact Energy Take Action Fund.

As part of the school’s Matariki celebrations, we planted the lizard habitat and added to the front garden creating a native pollinator area. Our coordinator, Rachel, read the students a book about lizards and the students made a list of everything that a good lizard habitat has. Then we planted tangly bushes for lizards to hide in, plants with berries for them to eat and flowering plants with nectar for them to drink.

The students wrote their wishes to Hiwa-i-te-Rangi (the wishing star) and planted their wishes with the plants.

In 2025 we also began planting around the field, as the school removed blackberry and other weed species, we replaced them with native trees and shrubs.

The Year 6s planted a kahikatea tree and learnt about how it is Aotearoa’s tallest tree.

2026 70th Anniversary Reunion Planting

As part of the big reunion celebrations, the school planted 200 native trees around their back field. These were donated by Kids Greening Taupō thanks to the Contact Energy Take Action Fund and sponsorship by First Credit Union.