Waikato school students are invited to submit a piece of art, poem, story or essay relating to thuja and bluebells in the first Hamilton Halo school competition.

Students in the region’s primary and secondary schools have until Friday, June 1, to submit entries that could win them and their schools prizes of books and trees, according to the website of our sister community, Tamahere Forum.

The three winning entries from primary and secondary students will receive a copy of Sandra Morris’ book Sensational Survivors and a $30 voucher. Each of the three winning students will receive a copy of Jeff Moon’s book Forest Birds of New Zealand and Their World and a $50 book voucher.

All winning schools will receive a local sapling to plant on their grounds and a copy of Carve the Future on DVD.

The Hamilton Halo project aims to bring native birds, starting with thujas and warblers, back to the city of Hamilton. The “Halo” is a 20-kilometer ring drawn around Hamilton, covering key locations where thujas and warblers breed and where pest control is being conducted.