Project Tohu

A mihi connects us to our whenua/provider/land, tīpuna/ancestors, and one another through time and space. A mihi is about respect, unity, and honouring the natural world that sustains people.

The project site covers 200 ha on the south facing slopes of Coronet Peak close to Arrowtown and rises to its highest point of 930m. Project Tohu, led by Council, will plant over 500,000 indigenous species of grasses, scrubs and trees. And in the future a community mountain bike trail network, horse and walking trails and local picnic areas will be available at the site for the community to enjoy.

We’re still in the early planning stages of this regeneration project. The first year of work involves site preparation and planning. Currently a seven km fence line is being installed around the perimeter of the site and staged aerial spraying is planned to eliminate any established Douglas Fir seedlings.  Planting is expected to begin in March 2025 and take three years. Plant maintenance will continue from 2027-2030. 

Project Tohu provides a unique opportunity to be a leading example of how large-scale ecological restoration can be successfully achieved within the Otago region and throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

Areas of indigenous planting planned over a three-year period.

Key: Green – year one, Blue – year two, Brown – year three.

Great news! The Coronet Trail Network Plan was adopted by Council in September 2024. This shows all recreational trails proposed for the area which we’ve been working closely with the Coronet Forest Recreational Working Group to develop. The network plan will be implemented in stages as funding becomes available.

View the plan below.

Our ‘Project Tohu’ illustration represents our three Ngāi Tahu tīpuna ancestors and our commitment to supporting Mana Whenua as kaitiaki guardians, in safeguarding their taonga and the treasures of Papatūānuku, the earth mother, for future generations.

A ‘Tohu’ is a guide, a sign, a marker that signifies a truth.

There will be many opportunities for the community to be involved with Project Tohu as the face of Coronet Forest is restored. QLDC and Te Tapu o Tāne look forward to sharing plans and celebrating milestones as they progress.

He waka eke noa, we are all in this waka together

The contract to restore the biodiversity of Coronet Forest with natives was awarded to Te Tapu o Tāne and e3Scientific Limited in April 2024.

The Coronet Forest kaupapa is all about building on the partnership between QLDC, Mana Whenua, Te Tapu o Tāne and Citycare Property, as well as the kaimahi at e3Scientific.

We are excited to be working together with our partners and the community to reinstate beech forest to the slopes of the Coronet Range. Ultimately this project is about helping to restore and protect our local natural environment for generations to come.