Te Mamaku Native Corridor Project
The Te Mamaku Native Corridor Project has plenty to celebrate after reaching a major milestone in 2025 – and there’s more growth to come this year.
Since its humble beginnings in winter 2022 along SH60 between Tasman and Māpua, the project has transformed abandoned crown land created during the Ruby Bypass build. More than 35,000 native trees have been planted so far, creating a thriving corridor of life.
Last year alone, 10,650 trees went into the ground.
Organisers Michael Markert and David Short say the progress has exceeded all expectations.
“Planting more than 35,000 trees within four winter planting seasons is something we never ever would have envisaged when we started to think about what could be done at the weed-infested and overgrown Dicker Ridge Track,” Michael says.
David adds that support came quickly.
“Professional advice, an initial planting of 1,800 trees by Restoring the Moutere and help from our first volunteers in 2022 showed how it could look. Substantial kick-start funding from Lottery Environment & Heritage and Rātā Foundation gave us the boost we needed, after DOC told us that we were actually creating a native corridor between wetlands.”
Since then, funders such as NBS, NZMCA, Trees That Count, Pub Charity, Lion Foundation, Tasman District Council, Network Tasman and many more have helped the project flourish.
Volunteers have played a vital role, braving frosty mornings to plant and protect young trees, and tackling prickly gorse over summer. For Michael and David, the social atmosphere and interaction with the volunteers at working bees is a highlight after long hours spent on planning and paperwork.
Two new information boards were installed last year on both sides of the popular Dicker Ridge Track and Stagecoach Road, helping locals learn more about the project.
The work is far from finished. Trees That Count has allocated 4,000 trees for winter 2026, and David is already fundraising to make it happen. Future plans include filling gaps further south and ongoing maintenance to ensure the corridor thrives.
For those wanting to support the project, donation details can be found at www.tasmancommunity.org.nz/te-mamaku-project
