Phase 1 — what gets planted
- Both back plots (Wiri's ruling, 11 Oct) — areas to be confirmed on the ground with Mairini.
- ~36 fruit trees + ~120 native shelter plants ≈ 156 plants total.
- Water: short tee off the raw bore tank → battery tap timer → dripline. No new tank, no pump needed at this scale.
- Windbreak: two-row native belt on the west/south-west side — kānuka/mānuka front row, ngaio + akeake staggered behind. First real shelter ~year 3, full by ~year 6. A little wind flows through on purpose — a solid wall makes turbulence.
- Soil moisture check before watering: one $18 stick meter. No sensor overkill.
The money, at a glance
| Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| 36 fruit trees (bare-root, winter) | $1,100–1,450 + freight |
| ~120 native shelter plants | $280–470 before bulk discount |
| Irrigation kit + 156 tree guards | $780–950 + freight |
| Plants + kit total | ≈ $2,200–2,900 + freight |
The funding ask stays generous (~$4,500–6,500 for one plot scale, up to ~double for both plots) — freight, stakes, sprays and contingency fill the gap. Full prices on the Where We Buy page.
The pines
Big pines shading the plots come out — fruit trees need 6+ hours of direct sun. Pines on the windy side stay until the native belt is chest-high. Felling big pines near buildings is professional arborist work; straight logs may be millable or become marae firewood. Site preparation (pine removal) is a legitimate line in the applications.
The timeline
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Before 14 Oct 2026 | Trustee hui — entity name, resolutions, care roster, bank slip |
| Oct (now) | Firm quotes: Tainui Nursery (natives) + Trees for Bees (fruit). Quote rule: under 3 months old, to the trust, GST shown. |
| 28 Oct – 18 Nov | Lottery Community window (biggest door) |
| By 9 Nov | Pub Charity |
| Winter 2027 | Fell shade pines, plant shelter belt + fruit trees together |
| Year 3 → 6 | Shelter grows in; windward pines come down once the belt is chest-high |
Next action: email Tainui Nursery and
Trees for Bees for firm quotes; confirm both plot areas with Mairini;
hold the hui before 14 Oct.