PTC Trust organised for Rotorua girls to assist with planting over 350 sand dune plants at Matata beach. Working closely with Ben from Bay of Plenty Coastal care, the group set out to plant spinifex and Pingao because of their sand-binding qualities.

The girls divided and conquered ensuring that they completed the task at hand at restoring our dunes. Sand dune ecosystems are prevalent across 1100 km of the New Zealand coastline. Unfortunately, dune degradation has been occurring over many years due in part to encroachment or urbanisation. A degraded dune system results in loss of biodiversity in the area and less protection from coastal flooding, heavy winds that blow sand away. A deliberate effort to plant native species helps in stabilising our dunes; our rangatahi contributing excellently in this community thrust.