What started as a partnership rooted in genuine environmental commitment blossomed into something extraordinary on a crisp Wellington winter morning.

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From measurement to real action

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Talent Army has been a CarbonInvoice customer since the beginning, using their software to measure carbon footprints and fund monthly native tree plantings. As Troy Hammond explains, "It's so easy to set up. Once you do it, it's set and forget, until we need to respond to the sustainability clause in a tender submission. Which is when CarbonInvoice comes into its own." This partnership helps Talent Army win government contracts while making genuine environmental impact.

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Wellington delivered perfect winter weather: 14 degrees, warm sunshine, and ideal planting conditions from recent rain at Catchpool Valley. A bus carried 35 enthusiastic participants from Central Wellington, while Carlos from CarbonInvoice prepared the site with classic 80s music setting the mood.

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The planting followed a careful process with Conservation Volunteers New Zealand: dig hole, place plant, pack dirt, add wool blanket to prevent weeds, install cardboard guard for protection. Energy started high, mellowed in the middle with snacks and breaks, then surged in the final 45 minutes as teams dissolved and everyone collaborated to get every last tree in the ground.

Impact: 657 native seedlings planted

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The vision for the Planting Action Day was ambitious: break the Wellington planting record and create something truly special. Mission accomplished.

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With 657 native seedlings planted – a new Wellington record, surpassing the previous 430 trees! What unfolded was a perfect storm of ideal conditions, enthusiastic participants, and authentic environmental action that exceeded all expectations.

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The planting restored the last bare 5-6 hectares of Catchpool Valley, surrounded by existing mature native bush. Species included manuka, karo, whiteywood, coprosma, and other indigenous trees that will provide habitat corridors for native wildlife while sequestering carbon for decades.

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Each tree was planted using methods refined by CVNZ to ensure maximum survival rates. This approach guarantees long-term ecosystem benefits and meaningful environmental impact.

Building connections

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The real magic of the day lay not just in the trees planted, but in the human connections cultivated. This wasn't just environmental action – it was community building at its finest.

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The Record Breakers: Isaac Churchouse

‍Isaac Churchouse, just 12 years old, emerged as the day's standout performer, claiming both the top planter award (40 trees) and best collaboration with his father Nick. Together they planted 80 trees, showing the next generation leading environmental action.

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The Energiser: José Coelho

José Coelho, a Brazilian software programmer, brought infectious energy and arrived early to help. During setup, Carlos discovered José works for Paloma, founded by Carlos's old university flatmate – exactly the serendipitous connections these events create.

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The Community

‍35 attendees from across Wellington's business scene – Talent Army candidates, entrepreneurs, and teams from Cyber Team, Ultraviolet, AI Supercharge, and Palo Alto Networks. Highlights included:

• Cheryl, fresh from the UK, eager to contribute to her new home
• Dom Gantaylor sharing how planting trees as a new New Zealand citizen felt like giving back to his country
• Two university students who found the event on LinkedIn, proving sustainable action is going viral
• Phil from Palo Alto Networks, returning for his second planting day
• Job seekers making connections that could lead to opportunities

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The day ended with a barbecue overlooking the river, prize-giving ceremony, and celebrations at Bar D4. Attendees nominated others for future planting days, already expanding this community of environmental action.

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The Talent Army Planting Action Day proved environmental action can be joyful, community-building, and record-breaking all at once.