Waihī Beach School is buzzing after being selected for Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Win a Working Bee competition.

The ‘Western Bay Worker Bees’ spent half a day at the school helping to complete a new wind breaker fence, dismantling an old shed, relocating worm farms, creating a spiral herb garden, and weeding mulching and planting in their māra kai (food garden).

Council staff donated their time as part of National Volunteer week, with the competition winner chosen by SociaLink’s Volunteering Services Team.

“The keen team of volunteers from Western Bay of Plenty District Council transformed our māra kai. Nga mihi koutou, thank you we appreciate you,” says Waihī Beach School principal Rachael Coll.

“The mahi that was achieved in a short time was incredible. It was sustainable and future focused, enabling our kaimahi to now focus on working with our tamariki in the māra kai.”

The Western Bay Worker Bees enjoyed putting in the mahi.

During the week, Council also organised five morning teas around the district to thank all the volunteers who contribute their time in the Western Bay.

Volunteers make an important contribution to the district and the ‘worker bees’ enjoyed the opportunity to get amongst it, says Council’s community outcomes advisor Liesel Carnie.

“A massive thanks to Waihī Beach School for hosting us for our working bee,” says Liesel.

“We loved being able to get outside and contribute back to our community for a cause that is going to benefit so many and teach our children about the natural world and healthy kai.”