Growing together: Davenports Law support

Student journalist Alex Zhang shares how Davenports Law is supporting Te Hōnonga a Iwi.

For many years, Davenports Law has stood alongside Te Hōnonga a Iwi in the ongoing work of environmental restoration. To both organisations, this has not just been a partnership rooted in obligation, but one in genuine care for nature that surrounds the community that the firm belongs to. It's a relationship that makes sense when you consider both geography and values.

“With Te Hōnonga a Iwi located near our offices, this kaupapa is not only professionally aligned with our values but also deeply connected to our local environment and community,” says Sarah White, a member of Davenport Law's sustainability committee.

That long-standing commitment has been translated into real, visible progress on the ground. Davenports Law has helped fund the cover crop seeds needed for planting seasons at Te Hōnonga a Iwi Restoring Rosedale Park. These help to cover and stabilise the soil by forming a low canopy for moisture retention over summer, hinder kikuyu and weed regrowth, provide organic matter, and break up soil compaction.

Over the past years, this has contributed towards bringing the park closer to a thriving, self-sustaining native ecosystem.

Central to the cover-crop planting is soil health.

“We are committed to ensuring the soil structure in Te Hōnonga a Iwi is free from pesticides and allows the native plantings to be resilient in their growth. This approach not only supports biodiversity but also strengthens the overall sustainability and ecological integrity of the area for future generations.”

Beyond funding and soil work, Davenports Law sees its role as an educational one as well. The firm’s broader objective is to actively educate and engage clients and community partners, highlighting the tangible benefits these environmental initiatives deliver.

“By fostering greater awareness and understanding, we aim to reinforce why such environmental efforts are essential for the long-term well-being of both the community and the planet,” Sarah says.

It's this combination of practical support, environmental care, and genuine community education that has defined Davenports Laws' relationship with Te Hōnonga a Iwi for all these years. As the companion planting continues to take root, so too does this partnership built on a shared purpose: restoring nature in our community, one native seed at a time.