13 April
Rimutaka prisoners are helping repair the charred landscape of Onehunga Bay within Whitireia Park, following extensive damage to vegetation from a large fire earlier this year.
The prisoners working at the prison nursery run by Corrections Inmate Employment (CIE) are growing around 22 species of native plants to replace previous plantings destroyed by the fire. These plants will be used at three different planting days which are set to take place on 9 May, 27 June and 1 August at Onehunga Bay.
“The prisoners at Rimutaka nursery have all made a real effort in their training towards a qualification in horticulture and are very passionate about the work they are doing.
“It is particularly satisfying for them to be able to use their skills to help the Porirua community with their replanting efforts within Whitireia Park,” said Rimutaka Prison’s Principal Nursery Instructor, Wayne Turner.
Twenty four prisoners are growing almost 3,000 plants of different varieties that are ecologically suitable to the Wellington region. The Greater Wellington Regional Council has arranged for some of the plants to be used at volunteer planting days over the next four months.
Greater Wellington Community Environmental Projects team leader, Robyn Smith, says the replanting work will be time consuming and has welcomed the support from Rimutaka Prison’s CIE Nursery. A plan is being prepared to identify other areas in the park which may be able to be replanted over a period of years.
“There has been a great deal of public concern regarding the restoration of Whitireia Park, and we welcome the support of the prison nursery workers in helping to restore the native biodiversity of the area so that the community can enjoy it once again.”
Corrections Inmate Employment (CIE) is aimed at giving prisoners the opportunity to gain skills and work experience to increase their chances of obtaining employment after release.
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