Taane Mills is turning homegrown produce into support for local conservation, donating nearly $290 from his roadside stall to the Otuwhero Wetland Trust.
The 11-year-old’s produce stall ticks away throughout the year, giving him a little pocket money that inevitably gets funnelled straight into his conservation work.
For 10 days each year, Taane pledges all proceeds from the apples and daffodils sold at his produce stall to the trust. The apples are purchased from a local orchard, while the daffodils are grown on his family's property.
The stall, located on Kaiteriteri-Sandy Bay Road at the Otuwhero Valley turn-off, has become a familiar stop for locals and visitors. On Friday afternoon, Taane jumped off the school bus and met trust volunteers who had gathered for the handover of this year's donation.
Taane reckons customers are often a little more generous when they know their koha will support the trust's work. This year, the initiative raised $289.60.
He supports the trust because it cares for the wetlands near his family's home.
A keen conservationist, Taane has already invested $1000 of his own money into extending his predator trapline up the valley. His trapping efforts have also received support from Goodnature Traps, Lift N Shift, Pic's Peanut Butter and Abel Tasman Kayaks.
Taane has also launched the Otuwhero Blue Duck Project, which aims to bring more whio to the Otuwhero River.
Otuwhero Wetland Trust chair Helen Lindsay says the organisation has been working since 2011 to restore ecological balance in the area, including tackling weeds and helping the environment recover from flood damage.
She says Taane’s funding boost is always very appreciated. “It’s amazing to see what Taane is doing. For a child of his age, he is just doing amazing work, and he’s just so dedicated and so keen.”
For more information on Taane’s efforts or the Otuwhero Blue Duck Project, visit: https://savingwhio.nz.
