1. General information
Location and description of the intervention
City or FUA
Auckland
Region
Australia and Oceania
Short description of the intervention
The Million Trees project was a programme launched by Auckland Mayor Phil Goff in 2017 to plant a million predominantly native trees and shrubs over a period of three years (Ref. 1,2,3,4). It aimed to make Auckland a greener, more beautiful place while creating carbon sinks, protecting the city’s waterways and improving the city’s living environment (Ref. 2,4). The programme engaged a variety of actors in the planting activities, including local boards, iwi, schools, service and social sector groups, private entities, the council group, the New Zealand Transport Association (Ref. 1). Particularly notable partnerships included those with the Department of Corrections and the Trees that Count Trust (Ref. 2,4,6).
The initial goal was met in 2019, and the project has been renewed for 2019-2022 (Ref. 1,7).
Address

Auckland
New Zealand

Location
The NBS is a city-wide initiative, the GIS point marks the centre of the city
Type of area before implementation of the NBS
Natural Heritage Area/Untouched nature
Public Greenspace Area
Website of the intervention
https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/mayor-of-auckland/mayor-priorities/protecti…
Timeline of intervention
Start date of the intervention (planning process)
2016
Start date of intervention (implementation process)
2017
End date of the intervention
ongoing
Present stage of the intervention
Ongoing
Goals of the intervention
The Million Trees project sought to plant 1 million trees to green and beautify the city, as well as create carbon sinks to offset greenhouse gases, prevent siltation of Auckland’s harbours and waterways, and improve the city’s living environment through the involvement of the Auckland community (Ref. 2,3,4).
The city mayor stated that “the Million Trees project is about involving all of our community in making Auckland a better place to live and enhancing our living environment.” (Ref. 2)
Quantitative targets
Plant 1 million trees in three-year period from 2017-2019 (Ref. 1,2,3,4);
Plant 170,000 trees and shrubs in 1st year (Ref. 2,4).
Monitoring indicators defined
# of trees (Ref. 1,2,3)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate action for adaptation, resilience and mitigation (SDG 13)
Climate change mitigation
Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
Habitat and biodiversity conservation
Green space creation and/or management
Water management (SDG 6)
Improvements to water quality
Climate change mitigation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Sequester and store carbon
Climate change mitigation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Increase green urban nature for carbon storage (wetlands, tree cover)
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Species-focused
Ecosystem-focused
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Protect and enhance urban habitats
Create new habitats
Protect species
Undertake specific measures to protect species
Undertake specific measures to protect native species
Means for conservation governance
Public engagement
Implementation activities
A variety of planting events took place throughout the city of Auckland (Ref. 1,2,). These include corporate and school planting days and community planting days (Ref. 1). Some of the planting locations included: Oakley Creek Catchment, North West Wild Link, Puhinui Reserve, Atiu Creek, Whau River project in Henderson, Project Twin Streams, Tapapakanga Regional Park, Hosking Reserve, Sanders Reserve, Totara Park, Harbourview-Orangihina Park, and Hunua Domain (Ref. 1,2,4,5).

‘The Department of Corrections [delivered] nursery space for thousands of trees and shrubs [and] provided labour to assist with site preparation, planting and maintenance through their prisons and community offender services in Auckland’ (Ref. 2).

‘Trees that Count assisted with planting trees and [undertaking] a robust and independent running count of the trees delivered from the programme’ (Ref. 2).
Type of NBS project
Creation of new green areas
NBS domain and interventions
Ecological domain(s) where the NBS intervention(s) is/are implemented
Blue infrastructure
Rivers/streams/canals/estuaries
Parks and urban forests
Large urban parks or forests
Vegetation Type
Shrubs
Trees
Please specify how many trees were planted
1.1 million (Ref. 5,6)
Amenities offered by the NBS
Unknown
Services
Expected ecosystem services delivered
Regulating services
Carbon storage/sequestration
Water purification / filtration
Habitat and supporting services
Habitats for species
Cultural services
Aesthetic appreciation
Social and community interactions
Scale
Spatial scale
Meso-scale: Regional, metropolitan and urban level
Beneficiaries
Primary Beneficiaries
Local government/Municipality
Citizens or community groups
Governance
Governance arrangements
Co-governance with government and non-government actors
Non-government actors
Public sector institution (e.g. school or hospital)
Non-governmental organisation (NGO) / Civil society / Churches
Private sector/Corporate/Business
Citizens or community groups
Please specify the roles of the specific government and non-government actor groups involved in the initiative
- Mayor Phil Goff – launched the programme, served as a big part of his mayoral campaign (Ref. 1,2,7).
- City Council – led programme and financer of the project (Ref. 1,2,7).
- Department of Corrections – provision of nursery space & ‘labor to assist with site preparation, planting and maintenance through their prisons and community offender services in Auckland’ (Ref. 2,4).
- Trees that Count Trust – assistance in planting trees & keeping a running count of trees delivered within the programme (Ref. 2).
- Te Whangai Trust nursery – donated trees and plants to the programme (Ref. 2,4).
- Other actors involved in the planting include local boards, iwi, schools [e.g. Wesley Intermediate (Ref. 2,4), De La Salle College (Ref. 5)], service and social sector groups, community groups [e.g. Papakura Sea Scouts (Ref. 5)], private entities, and the New Zealand Transport Association (Ref. 1).
Key actors - initiating organization
Local government/municipality
Please specify other key actors – Initiating organization
Mayor Phil Goff (Ref. 1,2,7)
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Key actors - Other stakeholders involved (besides initiating actors)
National government
Local government/municipality
Public sector institution
Non-government organisation/civil society
Citizens or community group
Private sector/corporate actor/company
Social enterprise
Land owners
Public space owned by the city
Participatory methods/forms of community involvement used
Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)
Policy drivers
NBS intervention implemented in response to an Regional Directive/Strategy
No
NBS intervention implemented in response to a national regulations/strategy/plan
No
NBS intervention implemented in response to a local regulation/strategy/plan
Yes
Please specify the "local regulation/strategy/plan"
Part of Mayor's priorities/ environmental policy (Ref. 1,7)
Mandatory or voluntary intervention
Mandatory (based on policy)
Intervention is mandatory
Environmental regulation
Enablers
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS vision/strategy/plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Yes
Please specify
Part of Mayor's priorities/ environmental policy (Ref. 1,7)
Presence of specific city-level GI/NBS section/part in a more general plan - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
If there is a relevant strategy or plan, please specify the theme / type of the plan.
Municipal / city level environmental plan or programme
Presence of city network or regional partnerships focused on NBS - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Presence of GI / NBS research project - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Subsidies/investment for GI / NBS in the city - mentioned in connection to the project
Unknown
Co-finance for NBS
Unknown
Co-financing governance arrangements
Unknown
Was this co-governance arrangement already in place, or was it set up specifically for this NBS?
Unknown
Financing
Total cost
€500,000 - €2,000,000
What is/was the Cost/Budget (EUR) of the NBS or green infrastructure elements?
1 800 000 EUR
What are the total amount of expected annual maintenance costs?
Unknown
What is the expected annual maintenance costs of the NBS or GI elements?
Unknown
Please specify cost savings
Unknown
Please specify total cost (EUR)
$3 million [1.8 million EUR, 1 NZD = 0.60 EUR] (Ref. 7)
Source(s) of funding
Public local authority budget
Type of fund(s) used
Earmarked public budget
Non-financial contribution
Yes
Type of non-financial contribution
Provision of land
Provision of goods
Provision of labour
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
Citizens (e.g. volunteering)
Other
Business models
Green densification model
Local stewardship model
Which of the involved actors was motivated by this model?
Public actor (e.g. municipality)
Private non-for-profit actor (e.g. NGO, foundation)
Citizens / local communities
Type of innovation
Social
Governance innovation
Please specify social innovation
Engagement & partnerships with a wide variety of actors, including the Department of Corrections for project implementation (Ref. 2,4,6)
Novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Replicability/Transferability
The innovation is transferred to new initiative(s) without substantial adaptation
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
The initiative has been renewed -- for 2019-2022, the mayor aims to plant 1.5 million trees in Auckland (Ref. 7)
Impacts, benefits
Environmental impacts
Green space and habitat
Increased green space area
Please specify other economic impact
Provision of potential job training (Ref. 4)
Description of environmental benefits
Approximately 1.1 million trees, including native species such as Puriri (Ref. 5,6), were planted throughout Auckland from 2017 to 2019 (Ref. 1,2,6). These took place in a variety of places, including:
- Oakley Creek Catchment (Ref. 2);
- North West Wild Link – 30,000 trees (Ref. 2,4);
- Puhinui project – 30,000 trees (Ref. 2,4);
- Atiu Creek – 25,000 trees and shrubs (Ref. 2,4);
- Whau River project in Henderson – 15,000 plants (Ref. 2,4);
- Project Twin Streams – 15,000 plants (Ref. 2,4);
- Hunua Domain – 11,000 trees (Ref. 5).

The success of this project has inspired a renewed commitment to plant another 1.5 million native trees from 2019-2022 (Ref. 1).
Economic impacts
Other
Please specify other socio-cultural impact
Cultural heritage and sense of place - Protection of cultural traditions (Ref. 5)
Description of economic benefits
‘Employment opportunities give prisoners the chance to develop work habits and gain skills and qualifications that will lead to sustainable employment’ (Ref. 4).
Social and cultural impacts
Social justice and cohesion
Increased visibility and opportunity for marginalised groups or indigenous peoples
Increased opportunities for social interaction
Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
Cultural heritage and sense of place
Protection of natural heritage
Other
Description of social and cultural benefits
The programme engaged ‘thousands’ of Aucklanders (Ref. 5,6), leading to increased community engagement with trees, nature, and cultural heritage. It resulted in a positive response from the community – with overwhelming ‘enthusiasm and energy from the council, local boards, the private sector and schools’ (Ref. 2,4). The programme also influenced other activities, including the design of a mural by the students of Wesley Intermediate that depicted the Million Trees programme along with other environmental initiatives to commemorate the first tree planting of the programme (Ref. 2,4). Furthermore, it gave Aucklanders the chance ‘to celebrate the tradition of Matariki which is associated closely with the harvest and the planting of the New Year’s Crop’ (Ref. 5). Finally, the programme provided opportunities for prisoners to ‘take responsibility for their [offences] and learn new skills and work habits [to help them reintegrate back into the community]’ (Ref. 4,6).
Type of reported impacts
Achieved impacts
Indicators
# of trees (Ref. 1,2,3)
Analysis of specific impact categories
Job creation: The NBS created ...
Voluntary work opportunities
Work for rehabilitation (e.g. for mental health, prisoners, older people)
Negative impacts: Did the project cause any problems or concerns?
No information was found regarding negative impacts of the project
COVID-19 pandemic
‘Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns [in 2020], Auckland Council’s popular Matariki tree-planting days had to be cancelled. However, New Zealand’s successful response to the pandemic means that we can once again hold tree-planting days across Auckland to celebrate Matariki [in 2021].’ (Ref. 1)
Methods of impact monitoring
Process of recording NBS impacts
Collection of monitoring data continuously throughout the project to aid evaluation
Methods used to evaluate the impacts of NBS
Measurements of biophysical aspects of the NBS (e.g. temperature, water flow)
Observation (including virtual surveillance methods)
Where can this data be accessed? Please include a link to a report or web-page.
https://grow.treesthatcount.co.nz/project/aucklandcouncil1milliontreesprogramme
Evidence for use of assessment
Presence of an assessment, evaluation and/or monitoring process
Yes
Presence of indicators used in reporting
Yes
Presence of monitoring/evaluation reports
No evidence in public records
Availability of a web-based monitoring tool
Yes
Link to a web-based monitoring tool
https://grow.treesthatcount.co.nz/project/aucklandcouncil1milliontreesprogramme
Impact assessment mechanism
Name of any specific impact assessment tools
Unknown
Use of GIS in mapping impacts
Yes
Link to GIS monitoring data
https://grow.treesthatcount.co.nz/project/aucklandcouncil1milliontreesprogramme
Citizen involvement
Citizens involvement in assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Citizens involvement in the analysis of the assessment/evaluation
Unknown
Follow-up to the evaluation / assessment
Unknown
References
List of references
1. Auckland Council. (2021). Million Trees. Auckland Council. Available at: https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/mayor-of-auckland/mayor-priorities/protecting-our-environment/Pages/million-trees.aspx [Accessed: 14 September 2021].
2. Our Auckland. (2017). Mayor launches Million Trees initiative. Our Auckland. Available at: https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2017/06/mayor-launches-million-trees-initiative/ [Accessed: 14 September 2021].
3. The Project Crimson Trust. (2021). Auckland Council 1 Million Trees programme. Trees that Count. Available at: https://grow.treesthatcount.co.nz/project/aucklandcouncil1milliontreesprogramme [Accessed: 14 September 2021].
4. The Tindall Foundation. (2017). Million trees unearth partners to plant 170,000 trees and shrubs in 1st year. The Tindall Foundation. Available at: https://tindall.org.nz/million-trees-unearths-partners-plant-170000-trees-shrubs-1st-year/ [Accessed: 14 September 2021].
5. The Tindall Foundation. (2019). Final Push for Mayor’s Million Trees. The Tindall Foundation. Available at: https://tindall.org.nz/final-push-for-mayors-million-trees/ [Accessed: 14 September 2021].
6. Our Auckland. (2019). Mayor Goff hits million tree mark. Our Auckland. Available at: https://ourauckland.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/news/2019/06/mayor-goff-hits-million-tree-mark/ [Accessed: 14 September 2021].
7. Rosenberg, M. (2019). Phil Goff promises 1.5 million trees for Auckland ahead of local body election. Stuff Limited. Available at: https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/114801037/phil-goff-promises-15-million-trees-for-auckland-ahead-of-local-body-election [Accessed: 14 September 2021].
Comments and notes
Additional insights
The initial goal was met in 2019, and the project has been renewed for 2019-2022 (Ref. 1,7).

This isn’t exactly ‘negative response’ to the initiative, but a criticism of it: ‘Advocacy group the Tree Council supported the move but said it came with a caveat. The biggest threat to Auckland's urban forest wasn't a lack of trees being planted, but a lack of protection for the ones that already existed, it said."We're not looking after the trees we've already got. It doesn't matter what figure the mayor plucks out of the air," Tree Council chairman Sean Freeman said."Unless he has a structure and a means to ensure those trees survive the next 80-100 years, it's not going to improve things dramatically."’ (Ref. 7). The City of Auckland does seem to be taking this into consideration through its recently released Urban Ngahere (Forest) Strategy (2019) which includes improved, long-term forest management as a goal (https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/plans-projects-policies-reports-bylaws/our-plans-strategies/topic-based-plans-strategies/environmental-plans-strategies/Documents/urban-ngahere-forest-strategy.pdf).
Public Images
1 Million Trees Planted
Source: Ref. 6
Trees that Count - Million Trees Plantings
Source: Ref. 3, Trees that Count
Mayor Goff and volunteers at the planting event
Source: Ref. 6
Mayor Goff in Hunua Ranges Regional Park
Source: Ref. 7, Abigail Dougherty
Please specify other source of non-financial contribution
Social Enterprise / Charities (Ref. 2,4)