Little Difference Forest is Born!

We finally have our own native forest for everyone to enjoy forever...

After quite a lot of planning, negotiating and organising, the first planting day happened on Sunday the 12 of April 2026.

It was such amazing morning of community bonding and we are so thankful for all those who turned up to help!

For years we have donated a portion of sales to reforestation charities in developing countries to ensure we plant 1 tree for ever single product we sell. We also regularly attend local planting days with the Whakatipu Reforestation Trust.

But none of these were forests we could call ours.

When we're 80 years old we want to walk among towering trees and be proud of a native forest and ecosystem that we created.

Neither of our 2 families that own Little Difference own any land, so Pete (one of our co-founders) went looking for other ways to do it...

Queenstown has a massive trail network linking the entire Whakatipu Basin. We noticed large parts of the trail edge were fenced off with a lot of 'dead' land between the trail and the fence, particularly where the trail does wiggles. After a bit of inquiry Pete found this 'dead' land was actually private land and the trail had a council managed easement through it. So, we found the landowners and asked them if we could plant it in a native forest for all to enjoy forever... They were totally supportive!

Next we needed a supply of native trees and expertise.

Sararose from Whakatipu Reforestation Trust (WRT) has been instrumental in making this happen for us. Little Difference has a close affiliation with WRT and makes annual cash donations to their critical reforestation work. Sararose immediately recognised the community benefit in our idea and allocated us 100 plants. She also advised us on species composition, layout and plant method for best chance of success.

After a bit of collaboration and liaison with the Queenstown Trails Trust and the Queenstown Lakes District Council we were ready to go! Pete borrowed an auger and prepped the site the day before planting, and we put the word out for hands to come help.

If we got 8 people turn up we thought that would be good and should get all trees planted that day. Nearly 40 people turned up! 

We were so moved and grateful for the kindness and generosity given that day. It was amazing to share the morning creating something that our children and countless generations after them will enjoy forever.

We are so happy that this come to fruition. Thank you so much to all those involved and we look forward to more planting days and growing this forest.

Special thanks to Sararose at Whakatipu Reforestation Trust for the immense support, entrust us with the plants they have raised and believing in our vision.

See a wee Video of the Day here

More images of the day...

More Details

The site we currently have for planting is approximately 7,000 square metres. We have identified many other possible sites along the Wharehuanui Trail in Tāhuna/Queenstown and we hope others can pick up this template and create more native forests, wildlife corridors and thriving ecosystems for everyone to enjoy.

Thank you to Paul and the North Ridge whohave allowed us to great a forest on their land.

If you would like to join us for future planting days or would like more info please get in contact.