The Warbirds Over Wānaka Community Trust has teamed up with local native plant nursery Te Kākano to help launch an innovative project which it’s hoped could be picked up by other groups around the country.

The project, called Interwoven, involves using native harakeke, or flax, to make guards to be used to protect newly planted natives from rabbits and the elements, doing away with the need to use plastic guards.

Interwoven was piloted earlier this year with local schools and Polytech students who were taught to weave harakeke guards which have since been successfully installed at two planting sites in Wānaka.

Thanks to a $20,000 donation from the Warbirds Over Wānaka Community Trust this initiative can now be fully launched. Visitors to the 2024 Wānaka airshow had the opportunity to contribute to the Warbirds Trust’s carbon offset programme with the funds raised matched by the airshow.

Airshow General Manager Ed Taylor says the airshow is always looking at ways to reduce its carbon footprint.  “We have a number of initiatives already in place in terms of how we can improve our environmental sustainability and being part of the Interwoven project is another great way to help us achieve that”.

“There are the obvious practical benefits of the harakeke guards replacing plastic, but it’s also about education and community engagement which makes this partnership with Te Kākano so worthwhile from a Warbirds’ point of view,” says Ed. 

Te Kākano Trust Manager Loran Verpillot hopes, as the project grows, its impact will extend beyond individual planting sites and will inspire similar initiatives in other parts of the country. By weaving together threads of tikanga Māori, innovation, and sustainability, the ‘Interwoven’ project not only protects native flora but also offers a great opportunity for the community to connect with nature.

Collaborative workshops and educational programs will teach basic weaving techniques and also foster a deeper connection to local ecosystems and cultural heritage.