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Triangle Television puts trees before a party

Tuesday 5 August 2008, 6:34PM

By Triangle TV/Stratos

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AUCKLAND

Thousands of pohutukawas are to be planted on Motutapu Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf as part of Triangle Television’s 10th anniversary celebrations.

The Auckland station celebrates a decade of broadcasting this month (August) and so isinviting viewers and supporters across the country to take part in a project that will establish a forest of thousands of trees near Home Bay on the island.

The whole island is undergoing a long-term regeneration process thanks to the efforts ofthe Department of Conservation, Motutapu Restoration Trust, and volunteers and supporters – including Triangle TV.Triangle Television’s CEO Jim Blackman says he is proud to spearhead a gift of 2000 pohutukawas to the people of Auckland.“The Triangle Television trees will provide shade and beauty for future generations ofvisitors and campers on Motutapu and, once again, in the height of summer, Home Baywill abound with crimson.”

Consistent with the station’s commitment to servicing the community, Blackman expectsthe project to help the station become carbon-neutral.Everyone is invited to support the project with a donation of $50 – the cost of buying,planting and maintaining a pohutukawa tree.

Motutapu Restoration Trust spokeswoman Mary Flaws says Triangle Television’scontribution will be of significant benefit to the trust’s work.“We have a long-term working plan – stretching out to the middle of the century,” saysFlaws.

“Some aspects of the planting could be done quickly by professionals. But ours isa long-term community project involving children and adults.“Our need has been for funding to make it happen…Triangle Television has risen to thischallenge. With its anniversary project, people who purchase a tree will develop a sense of ownership – a collective of individual actions leading to a great result.”

Department of Conservation’s project manager of the Rangitoto-Motutapu PestEradication Project is Richard Griffiths. He says Triangle Television’s pohutukawa treeswill help form the basis for a coastal forest ecosystem.

“Within two to three years, the trees will start shading out pasture grasses and you’ll see a dramatic change. Leaf litter will build up, creating a habitat suitable for invertebrates,reptiles and forest birds. It’s amazing how quickly it happens”.Blackman says the station decided to do something different to celebrate its first decade in broadcasting.“Instead of the typical social function we decided to give back to the community that hassupported us so well over the years,” he says