Honda New Zealand will this week hand over a cheque for $12,000 to Environment Waikato CEO Bob Laing...the latest donation made under its ongoing programme to fund native tree planting in the Waikato.

The donation is part of a nationwide scheme in which Honda funds the planting of 10 native trees for every new Honda car sold.

The latest donation means about $180,000 from Honda will have been made available for extensive tree planting across the Waikato area over six years.
The amount being donated is less than in other years because fewer new cars are being sold due to the economic downturn.

Environment Waikato sustainable agriculture coordinator Bala Tikkisetty said some tree planting has just occurred as a result of previous donations and more is about to get underway.

“We expect the $12,000 will fund the planting of about 4000 trees in total around the region. This will build on the many thousands of trees already planted around the wider Waikato as a result of Honda’s donations,”.

The Honda funding is available to community groups to buy native plants to support a wide range of activities.

Examples of projects that could qualify include the establishment of native tree populations, control of water-run off from land, prevention of erosion, biodiversity protection and restoration, urban stream enhancement and coastal protection.