Honda New Zealand's Commitment To The Environment

Honda Treefund

Inspired by the 'Blue Skies for our Children’ philosophy of our founder Soichiro Honda, the Honda TreeFund is a Honda New Zealand initiative.

Since inception in 2004, the Honda TreeFund has funded the planting of more than 740,000 trees throughout Aotearoa. This includes a record 31,436 trees in 2018 to celebrate Honda’s 30th Anniversary in New Zealand.

From 2018 Honda has worked with Trees That Count to fund trees for local and regional planting projects, and coordinate activities including staff, customer and public planting days.

Honda TreeFund has also partnered with the Waimakariri District Council for a special 4-year project in the Kaiapoi regeneration area to create the Honda Forest. This former redzone site will see the restoration of a lowland forest with 12,500 plantings for the enjoyment of local residents.

Planting days

Planting days are organised in key areas every planting season from May to September every year.

If you would like to join us at a planting day near you, register your interest and we will be in contact with further information.

Take a look below at some of the planting projects we are involved with.

Register your interest

Kaiapoi Regeneration Project - Canterbury Region

Kaiapoi Regeneration Project - Canterbury Region

Honda has committed to a significant local council project in Kaiapoi, an area hit hard by the Canterbury earthquakes, and are funding the planting of a Honda forest.

It will cover some 3.2 hectares, consisting of native trees and plantings around a lake with walkways and cycling tracks, and be part of a larger recreational area including new BMX park and dog walking park (now complete) and new sports fields (under construction).

This regeneration initiaive in Kaipaoi, Pines Beach and Kairaki Beach has resulted in the Waimakariri District Council being named the overall winner in the 2019 Commonwealth Association of Planners (CAP) Awards for its innovative approach to earthquake recovery planning.

Read the article

Papakura Stream Restoration Project

The Papakura Stream Restoration Project is a new, catchment-wide programme in Auckland to restore and protect this important waterway and habitat for the diverse species that call this area home.

Restoration is taking place on public land, in partnership with Manurewa, Franklin, and Papakura Local Boards, and private land, in partnership with farmers and other landowners. The plants will help to stabilise banks, prevent erosion, reduce sediment entering the water as well as providing habitat for birds, lizards and insects.

Kelly's Conservation Forest

Kelly’s Conservation Forest is a unique haven of native bush. At the 11 hectare gem in the heart of Nelson, each planting – and its ongoing care – has been lovingly overseen by Lindy Kelly and her team of volunteers.

Home to over a hundred different endemic species of plant, as well as a plethora of native birds, lizards, insects and fish, the sanctuary more than deserves its ‘High Rarity’ score.

Trees for Survival

Trees for Survival is a hands-on student-focussed environmental restoration programme which has been operating for over 30 years. They work with over 150 schools and local communities across New Zealand to grow and plant native trees along waterways, wetlands and erosion prone hillsides.

The native trees funded by the Honda Treefund will be planted by schoolchildren and their communities on a variety of planting sites across the Auckland region.

Ridgecliff, Canterbury

Ridgecliff is a seventh-generation hill country farm overlooking the Pacific Ocean in a little settlement called Chorlton on Banks Peninsula. They produce tasty health quality lamb and beef to environmental and ethical standards.

Over the next few years they will be working hard to fence and plant nearly 13ha of our farmland and coastline to increase biodiversity and create a legacy for future generations. This is part of a 30+ year biodiversity enhancement plan they have for their property.

Kahuranaki Waterfall Planting Project

This property is near Havelock North in Hawke's Bay. It contains a small waterfall fed by a natural spring and so is called 'The Waterfall Project'.

Landowner Haley's long term plan is to have 70% of the land planted in natives with a focus on biodiversity encouraging bird, lizard and insect habitat. There are remnants of very old native trees like whauwhaupaku here and the land sits under Mt Kahuranaki, one of Hawke's Bay's highest coastal mountains. She would love for it to be a biodiversity hub and safe haven for the likes of the kākāriki and kākā who fly out from the nearby Cape Sanctuary.

Global Initiatives

Since the 1960s, Honda has been taking a proactive approach in resolving environmental issues. This approach includes our ongoing investment in R&D, and our goal of realising carbon neutrality for all products and corporate activities Honda is involved in by 2050. Three primary focus areas are net zero carbon emissions, clean energy and resource circulation using sustainable materials.

Find out more