Supporting Native Forests and Biodiversity in Tairāwhiti With Trees That Count
We are committed to helping strengthen the natural resilience of our region by restoring the ecosystems that support our people, whenua, and future. As part of that ongoing work, we are proud to support the planting of 170 native trees in Tairāwhiti through our partnership with Trees That Count.
Each year, we typically fund the planting of 100 trees. In 2025, we have added an extra 70 trees to mark our 70th anniversary. While the scale of this initiative is modest, it reflects a principle we stand by: that everyone has a role to play in protecting and restoring the environment around them.
Alongside tree planting, DStevens is also reclaiming timber from construction projects, upgrading our facilities, investigating solar energy, and investing in a more fuel-efficient vehicle fleet. These actions form part of our broader focus on reducing environmental impacts in the areas we can influence.
What 170 Native Trees will Achieve
Tree planting is not a complete solution, but it is one meaningful and practical action we can take to support the health of our local environment. Native trees help stabilise land, create biodiversity corridors, and absorb carbon over their lifetime. The 170 trees funded this year will contribute to:
37.6 tonnes of CO₂ absorbed over their lifetime – roughly equivalent to four return flights between Auckland and London
491 square metres of land restored – approximately one and a half tennis courts
New habitats created for native species such as kererū, tūī, geckos, and other birds and insects that play an important role in maintaining local ecosystems
Peter Stevens, Managing Director of DStevens, says the initiative reflects the company’s long-standing connection to the region:
“We have been part of this region for a long time, we are local and it’s important to us that we give something back. We want to leave Tairāwhiti stronger for future generations. Planting trees is one way we can support the land, the community, and our collective future.”
Since 2022, DStevens has funded the planting of more than 370 native trees, supporting forest restoration and local biodiversity projects in Aotearoa.
A Broader Commitment to Sustainability
Supporting native tree planting is just one part of how we are working to reduce our environmental footprint as a construction business. We continue to take practical steps that help us improve the way we operate, including:
Reclaiming and reusing timber from our construction sites
Operating our long-standing recycling programme that diverts construction waste from landfill
Upgrading our workshops with energy-efficient lighting and alternative energy options
Investing in a more fuel-efficient vehicle fleet
Using low-carbon concrete, recycled steel, and other materials with lower embodied emissions where possible
We recognise that these actions alone are not enough. However, we believe that by making deliberate, informed choices, we can reduce our impact and contribute to positive outcomes for our community and environment.
Join Us in Making a Difference
We encourage our clients, project partners, and others in our industry to support the work of Trees That Count. Whether it is one tree or one hundred, each native tree planted helps protect local biodiversity and restore parts of our landscape that need it.
By continuing to prioritise environmental responsibility, DStevens is not just building homes and commercial spaces — we are contributing to a more sustainable future for Gisborne and beyond.
About Trees That Count
Trees That Count mobilises businesses, planters and individuals to restore Aotearoa's unique biodiversity, take action on climate risk and grow a brighter future through the planting of native trees. Trees That Count is managed by the Project Crimson Trust, a charity that has been at the forefront of community restoration in New Zealand since 1990.
Visit the Trees That Count website to find out more.
