Planting Purpose: Introducing Project Tāne for Organisations That Wa…

June 9, 2025

In the modern business environment, Corporate Social Responsibility is no longer a simple catchphrase. More and more organisations are starting to recognise how their business, company, enterprise or establishment can be a force for positive change.

To collaborate with such forward-thinking organisations, we’ve launched Project Tāne – a regenerative initiative designed to go beyond merely doing no harm, and instead focus on actively doing good.

What Is Project Tāne?

Named after Tāne Mahuta, the Māori god of forests and birds, Project Tāne invites organisations and groups to create their own living legacy through native tree planting or donation at our stunning sites on Waiheke Island and in Kaikōura.

Using plants grown in our nurseries, participants plant trees (or we can arrange to have them planted for you) on specially designated plots of land; plots that can be named after the participating organisation. Think of it as your organisation’s own patch of native New Zealand forest, growing with every visit.

Designed for Groups That Come Back

Project Tāne is purpose-built for organisations that return regularly, for example companies with annual retreats or volunteering days, schools with recurring field trips, tour operators with series groups, or conference organisers working with their clients in the Auckland and Canterbury & Marlborough regions.

With every visit, your group contributes to the growth of “your” forest, allowing you to literally see the difference you and your people have made over time. It’s a long-term, tangible legacy that ties people to place and purpose.

How It Works

If you elect to do the tree planting yourself, your team can plant trees before or after their zipline adventure – no gardening experience is needed! EcoZip provides one tree per participant, with the option to sponsor more. If you want to make it personal, named pegs and GPS coordinates are available, so participants can track their contribution online or even visit ‘their’ tree in future years.

It’s an easy addition to a day of adventure and fresh air, and it transforms your group outing into something much more meaningful.

Why It Matters for Businesses

Project Tāne is an ideal fit for CSR-minded organisations looking to give back, while also offering staff, clients or students an unforgettable experience. It works equally well as a corporate volunteer day, a conference breakout session, or curriculum-related EOTC event.

It ticks the ESG box and it’s not just lip service. It’s about real environmental impact, employee engagement, and building a shared story that lasts beyond the event itself.

Interested?

Whether you’re planning your next company retreat, client incentive, school excursion or multi-day conference, Project Tāne offers a brilliant way to connect people, purpose, and place.

To find out how your organisation can get involved, drop us a line at community@ecozip.co.nz – we’d love to help you plant something that lasts.