First trees planted in major reforestation project at Slope Hill

This week marks the beginning of a new native forest at Queenstown's Slope Hill Reserve, spearheaded by the Whakatipu Reforestation Trust and financed by a major grant from the Hilton Global Foundation.

The first of 22,000 native trees went into the ground on Monday, with the rest to be planted over the next 12 weeks on an eight-hectare pocket of the Department of Conservation-managed 33-hectare reserve.

First in are the wet zone plants at the base of the slope, including the damp-loving mānatu (ribbonwood), mountain lacebark, and the Olearia and Coprosma species that would have once cloaked the basin. As planting extends up the slope of the hill, species that can handle the dry and frosty soils will dominate. 

This landscape scale restoration project will add a significant piece to the biodiversity corridor being established in the Whakatipu Basin by the Whakatipu Reforestation Trust and other conservation groups. 

“It’s a beautiful example of collaboration between a number of small local groups to achieve a huge ecological coup for the Basin,” Whakatipu Reforestation Trust former operations manager Karen O’Donahoo says.

“The Hilton Queenstown team put us forward initially for the stewardship grant. We designed the planting plan for Slope Hill and then drew on the skill and capacity of Mana Tāhuna’s Mana Taiao team to prepare and plant the site.

"Cold-hardy plants for the site were grown by Home Creek Nursery in Manapouri, Pukerau Nursery, and Matukituki Natives, so it’s a real local effort.”

The mahi to prepare for planting has been tough over the winter months but it is rewarding to see it all come together now.

Cora Heister, Kaiwhakahaere Taiao (taiao manager) at Mana Tāhuna says, “We are thrilled to see our hard work in collaboration with the Whakatipu Reforestation Trust, the Hilton Global Foundation, and local operators come to life at Slope Hill".

“This project is more than just planting trees; it's about restoring a vital ecosystem that will benefit both our environment and future generations. We are grateful to be a part of this project and look forward to seeing the plants’ growth over the years."

Many local operators have also stepped up to help the trust and Mana Tāhuna establish a successful planting site.

“We’ve had gravel delivered by Beaver Contracting, a portaloo supplied by SJ Allen, compost from Waste to Wilderness and installation of irrigation piping for the whole site by Central Irrigation. The Strains, who farm next to the site, have helped us unload plants. People have been incredibly generous,” Ms O’Donahoo says.

Irrigation to the plants is particularly important given the exposed north-facing site. The Arrow Irrigation Scheme will supply water to the plants over the summer months for the first three years of plant establishment, and is likely to dramatically improve survival rates.

The Slope Hill project was made possible by a $420,000 grant awarded to the Whakatipu Reforestation Trust by the Hilton Global Foundation under their Destination Stewardship category last year.

Anish Jadhav, the assistant commercial manager at the Hilton Queenstown Resort & Spa says, “Hilton Hotels is proud to reinforce its commitment to the philosophy of “Travel with Purpose” and continue its partnership with the Whakatipu Reforestation Trust”.

“We believe in the transformative power of supporting the trust to rebuild our local community and play a small role in ensuring a more sustainable future.”

Cyclists and walkers on the Countryside Trail will soon start to see the transformation for themselves.

Main image (Supplied): Mana Tāhuna’s Mana Taiao crew and the beginnings of a forest for Slope Hill.