The Bupa Foundation and NZ Landcare Trust have released the 2025 Junior Landcare Impact Report, highlighting the programme’s significant reach across Aotearoa. In its latest year, the initiative directly engaged more than 2,200 children and young people in hands-on environmental restoration projects, supporting the restoration of wetlands, rivers and native habitats in communities across Aotearoa, from Northland to Otago.
Across 12 legacy projects nationwide, a total of 4,892 people participated in restoration activities, including school students, community volunteers, and Bupa residents and staff. The programme resulted in 6,813 native plants established and five wetlands brought under improved management, creating lasting environmental assets for communities across the country. Projects in 2025 ranged from wetland restoration in Northland and biodiversity planting in Waikato, to waka-building with Tapuika iwi in the Bay of Plenty and the creation of a galaxiid fish sanctuary in Otago. A key feature of the programme is its intergenerational approach, which pairs school students with Bupa retirement village residents in shared restoration activities.
Nick Edgar, Chief Executive of NZ Landcare Trust, says the programme is helping inspire the next generation of environmental leaders. “Junior Landcare is about empowering young people to take an active role in caring for their environment. By connecting students with real restoration projects and community knowledge, we are helping grow the next generation of kaitiaki for Aotearoa.”
[Quote from Bupa Foundation representative]
The programme’s impact extends beyond environmental outcomes. Survey results show that 95 per cent of participants reported improved physical and mental wellbeing, while 84 per cent said their knowledge of nature regeneration had increased. Across 35 schools and youth groups, students participated in activities including native planting, biodiversity monitoring, citizen science, and cultural restoration practices.
Public awareness of the programme also grew significantly in 2025, with a verified general public reach of more than 96,975 people through media coverage, social media campaigns, and outreach initiatives. These included a nationwide “Grandkids Activity Book” distributed to every Bupa village in the country, and a collaborative campaign with Paralympics NZ that brought Paralympian athletes into schools to connect nature, wellbeing, and restoration.
The 2025 programme exceeded its targets across engagement, health outcomes, audiovisual resources, and public reach, with every legacy site securing follow-up commitments from schools, community groups, and Bupa villages for continued care into 2026 and beyond.
About Junior Landcare
The Junior Landcare programme is a partnership between the Bupa Foundation and NZ Landcare Trust. The Bupa Foundation funds health and wellbeing initiatives across New Zealand, while NZ Landcare Trust works with communities to promote sustainable land management. Together, the Junior Landcare programme connects young people, community members, and older adults in meaningful environmental restoration projects that benefit both people and nature.
Visit www.landcare.org.nz to find out more about NZ Landcare Trust and Junior Landcare.