Tanoa Hotel Group and NZ Students Plants 600 Mangroves

As part of our ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, Tanoa Hotel Group proudly planted 600 mangrove seedlings at Taiperia, Lautoka, on Thursday, 17th April.

This initiative was made even more special through a collaborative effort with a group of 16 enthusiastic students and 3 dedicated staff members from St Cuthbert’s College in Auckland, New Zealand.

The group is currently in Fiji participating in a sustainability-focused immersion program, offering them a unique opportunity to engage directly with the local environment and community.

This joint initiative reflects a shared vision between Tanoa Hotel Group and St Cuthbert’s College — to protect, restore, and preserve Fiji’s coastal ecosystems while fostering greater awareness and responsibility for the natural world. The initiative not only focuses on ecological restoration but also serves as a platform for environmental education and cross-cultural exchange.

Mr. Narend Kumar, Area General Manager, Fiji, says, “We are proud to be part of this meaningful effort that not only supports Fiji’s environment but also inspires the next generation of changemakers. The involvement of the students from St Cuthbert’s College brings a powerful energy and message – that protecting our environment is a shared responsibility. Planting 600 mangrove seedlings is just the beginning; it’s part of a broader vision we hold as a group to ensure our actions positively impact the communities and ecosystems; we are privileged to operate in.”

Mangroves play a vital role in supporting environmental health. They act as natural buffers against coastal erosion, serve as nurseries for marine life, and are among the most efficient ecosystems for carbon sequestration. By restoring these vital coastal zones, the project directly contributes to climate resilience and biodiversity conservation.

Tanoa Hotel’s Sustainability Manager Mr. Roneel Chand, added, “Our team has worked consistently to integrate sustainability across all levels of our operations. Planting 600 mangrove seedlings in Taiperia is a direct investment in environmental resilience and a living classroom for our guests and partners. We are especially pleased to collaborate with the passionate students from St Cuthbert’s College, who bring a strong sense of purpose and international solidarity to this cause.”

The mangrove seedlings were purchased from a village community in Rakiraki, supporting both their environmental efforts and providing them with a sustainable source of income by raising the mangrove trees.