Tanoa Hotel Group and NZ students plant 600 mangroves at Taiperia, Lautoka

To combat the ongoing effects of climate change and the company’s commitment to environmental sustainability, the Tanoa Hotel Group and 16 enthusiastic students, plus 3 dedicated staff members from St Cuthbert’s College in Auckland, New Zealand, planted 600 mangrove seedlings at Taiperia, Lautoka.

The group from New Zealand 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.

Tanoa Hotel Group says the initiative not only focuses on ecological restoration but also serves as a platform for environmental education and cross-cultural exchange.

Tanoa Hotel Group Area General Manager Fiji Narend Kumar says they are proud to be part of this meaningful effort that not only supports Fiji’s environment but also inspires the next generation of changemakers.

He says the involvement of the students from St Cuthbert’s College brings a powerful energy and message – that protecting our environment is a shared responsibility.

Kumar says planting 600 mangrove seedlings is just the beginning; it’s part of a broader vision they hold as a group to ensure their actions positively impact the communities and ecosystems, they are privileged to operate in.

He adds mangroves play a vital role in supporting environmental health, and they act as natural buffers against coastal erosion, serve as nurseries for marine life, and are among the most efficient ecosystems for carbon sequestration.

Kumar says by restoring these vital coastal zones, the project directly contributes to climate resilience and biodiversity conservation.

Tanoa Hotel’s Sustainability Manager, Roneel Chand, says their team has worked consistently to integrate sustainability across all levels of their operations.

He says planting 600 mangrove seedlings in Taiperia is a direct investment in environmental resilience and a living classroom for their guests and partners.

Chand says they 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.

This initiative is one of several environmental efforts championed by Tanoa Hotel Group, reinforcing its dedication to responsible tourism, education, and long-term community engagement.