WE’VE CONTRIBUTED OVER $ 170,000 TO MORE THAN 80 COMMUNITY GROUPS I N YOUR REGION.

The farmers who own Fonterra are keen to support our local communities. Our Fonterra Grass Roots Fund provides grants twice a year to fund all sorts of clever ideas, projects and initiatives.

One of our funding grants went to Motuihe Trust, a voluntary group dedicated to regenerating Motuihe Island.

Motuihe Island is a popular recreational reserve and native bird sanctuary in the Hauraki Gulf – but it has a prickly problem. Despite nicely regenerating bush and abundant re- introduced native bird life, one hectare of stubborn gorse remains.

Thanks to the grant from the Fonterra Grass Roots Fund, the trust was able to hire professional scrub cutters to do the hard job of cutting paths through the gorse.

“This support couldn’t have come at a better time,” says Motuihe Trust member Simon Sheen. “The gorse was too much for us, and it was holding up full restoration.”

“We’re very proud that our volunteers have just passed the 400,000 milestone for native plantings, all propagated in the island nursery from island-gathered seeds.”

Sheen says Motuihe is a gem and he’d like to see more Aucklanders discover it – whether by ferry, kayak or boat.

“There’s three sides, so there’s generally a sheltered white sandy beach whatever the weather, abundant birdlife, and a special atmosphere.”