The student leadership team from the Tane's Ark project wrote to Kids restore New Zealand seeking funding for their project.  The students are planning on planting and restoring a 1 hectare area in Aranui Park into a wetlands and swamp forest. The area is within easy walking distance from the school and adjacent to the Wetlands area that the students from Mapua School have been involved in for the last 3 years. 

The site for Tane’s Ark is a wasteland of grasses, blackberry plants, an assortment of other weeds and a few native trees amidst wilding willows, poplars and ash trees. A sluggish drainage ditch has little aquatic life and needs cleaning out and better flow.

The aim of the project is to restore the area to a swamp forest which would attract native birds and wild life.  To do this, a planting of approximately 2,500 trees and grasses will enhance the area and provide a habitat for wildlife and an area where students can learn. 

Following lots of planning, in March 2010, a planting day was held at Tane's Ark and further planting days have been held in the holidays and weekends following with the goal of having the area planting by the end of 2010.

Regular meetings have been held by the student leadership group with area experts and the Friends of Mapua Wetland to discuss progress of the project and address any issues that have arisen. 

2010 finished up with a celebratory picnic dinner at Tane's Ark, Aranui Park for everyone who had participated in the year's work.  Well done Mapua School!