Media personality to plant trees on Kaipara farm

 

Who would have thought a throwaway line on a TV programme would lead to media personality Te Radar planting trees on a Maungaturoto dairy farm?

When Otamatea HarbourCare Society secretary Mark Vincent heard Te Radar (real name Andrew Lumsden) assure viewers in an episode of Global Radar that he paid for his accumulated air miles by planting lots of trees, that got Mark thinking.

“Our bluegrass band Otherwise Fine often plays at the Warkworth A&P Show, so I expected to see him there as MC of the show,” says Mark. “I decided to seek him out and ask if he’d come to one of our HarbourCare planting days.”

Otamatea HarbourCare is a group whose aim is to help clean up the Kaipara Harbour by supporting farmers with planting trees around waterways .

“I thought having Te Radar along could add a bit of interest and, as it happened, it was Radar who came to us on the day for a chat.”

Te Radar was happy to oblige, and even suggested a date – Saturday June 6, which is just after Arbour Day.

As the day drew closer Mark wanted to make sure that Radar was still available. What better way to check than on National Radio? Radar is a regular guest on Kathryn Ryan’s Nine to Noon show. Mark texted Kathryn and asked her to ask Radar to confirm his availability for the planting day.

“She asked him on air, which means Otamatea HarbourCare now has a nationwide profile,” says Mark. “It was such a hoot to hear her do that, and of course Radar said yes!”

The planting day is open to anyone who wishes to attend at Ashley and Karen Cullen’s farm just out of Maungaturoto on Bickerstaffe Station Road.

The day will start at 9am and end around midday with food and refreshments. People will need to bring their own spade, gloves and water bottle. Children are welcome as long as they come with a responsible adult.

If anyone wants to join the planting day and have the chance to plant trees alongside Radar they should register their interest with Mark either on 021 0829 8037 or email mark.cindy.vincent@gmail.com.

People are also invited to register so they can learn about the progress of Otamatea HarbourCare and attend other planting days during winter.

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TREE HUGGER: Te Radar (the one with the hat) will join Otamatea HarbourCare for a planting day.