Question 1

I have land or am kaitiaki to land.  Why would I want to partner with Ōtaki Carbon Forests?

Accepted Answer

Do you want to do something to help mitigate climate change, and are you interested in planting and tending trees? Would you like to:

• access (or share) information and advice on tree planting and subsequent maintenance
 • find out about financial incentives and support for tree planting
 • access advice regarding the Emissions Trading Scheme and earning carbon credits
 • be part of a group of local landowners and kaitiaki with a shared motivation: to help mitigate climate change by planting and maintaining trees?

We would be delighted to talk with you about Ōtaki Carbon Forests, including for expert advice on tree selection, planting and maintenance work specific to your property.

Question 2

How will Ōtaki Carbon Forests support participating landowners and kaitiaki ?

Accepted Answer

Here's what we can do:

• assist with planting projects
 • provide advice on where and what to plant in particular areas 
 • provide assistance on sourcing plants and accessing funding.

Plus, for participants interested in learning about earning 'carbon credits', we can:

• provide advice on the requirements for entry to the carbon credit scheme and how to register 
 • help interested, eligible landowners/ kaitiaki prepare applications to join the scheme.

Question 3

How can we get to 32 hectares?!

Accepted Answer

We'll do it together!

Ōtaki Carbon Forests will:

• Support the planting of primarily native trees in South Manakau, Ōtaki and Te Horo. (Non-natives could include a small number of trees for food or fuel production, aesthetic or other purposes.)  
 • Allow for a small amount of felling within forest blocks, provided the canopy is protected. 
 • Count all permanent plantings of one-half hectare or more planted by groups and individuals since the year 2020 and maintain a register of these plantings.
 • Provide educational opportunities for local schools and the wider community on the role of trees in carbon sequestration and biodiversity, and on how to maintain healthy and effective carbon forests.
 • Establish relationships with local iwi through information sharing and promoting mātauranga Māori practices in the management of carbon forests. 
 • Keep Ōtaki residents informed of progress towards achieving our goal by maintaining a publicly displayed record of the hectares planted to date.

Question 4

To join, how big would my land or the land I look after need to be?

Accepted Answer

A minimum plantable area of half a hectare...and no maximum!

Question 5

What’s ‘carbon neutral’?

Accepted Answer

We’re at carbon neutral when there’s an equal balance between

• the carbon dioxide we’re releasing by using fossil-fuel energy 
 • and how much carbon dioxide is being taken out of the atmosphere (by trees, for example).

In other words, even though we can’t yet avoid producing carbon emissions, at 'carbon neutral' we’d be making sure we’re not adding more  to the atmosphere by helping remove it at the same time.

We're not there yet.

So we are also working to reduce how much carbon our town is emitting, by reducing our energy use (e.g. better insulation) and encouraging the use of non-fossil energy sources  (e.g. solar and wind).

Question 6

How do I sign up - or start the conversation/ kōrero?

Accepted Answer

We would love to talk with you about Ōtaki Carbon Forests.

Email: otaki.carbonforests@gmail.com
Tel.: Di Buchan / 027 683 0213
Visit: Energise Ōtaki’s office
Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, 10am-2pm
7 Main St., Ōtaki

Nau mai haere mai.

Question 7

I don't have land but can help. Do you need help?

Accepted Answer

Yes please. 
Would you like to join us in hands-on tasks like potting seedings, weed releasing and planting?

Please email otaki.carbonforests@gmail.com(otaki.carbonforests@gmail.com.)

Ōtaki Carbon Forests
Ngā Ngahere Waro o Ōtaki

Planting trees to help us reach our goal.

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- ENOUGH GOOD ENERGY FOR EVERYONE | KA NUI TE HIKO PAI MŌ TATOU KATOA -

Ōtaki Carbon Forests Ngā Ngahere Waro o Ōtaki