Wainuioru School in Masterton has lots of money to put towards its students, but none of it grew on trees.
The money actually comes from next door, where volunteers at Wainuioru Community Nursery get their hands dirty.
The initiative started when Wainuioru River Care Group got funding from the Government's $1 billion tree programme.
Local volunteer Kelsey Shannon heard this and had an idea - instead of buying plants from out of town her community could grow them themselves.
"It was kind of a no-brainer really," she said.
"Lots of ladies were keen to get stuck in and get their hands dirty. They either turn up for half an hour or half a day."
The purchased trees eventually take root on the banks of the Wainuioru River, Wainuioru River Care Group manager Nick Pratt loving the difference the leafy locals have made.
"The aim is to retire areas and stop sediment entering the water ways," he said.
"This site used to flood twice a year in heavy rain fall. We haven’t had this issue since, it’s made a huge difference to the community."
So far, the nursery has made $40,000 from selling trees, every dollar going towards the school and planting seeds of opportunity.
"It’s the perfect place for it to go," Shannon said. "It’s a great model."
Money may not grow on trees for the kids at Wainuioru School, but one thing's for certain - the donations made to them started with seeds in the ground.
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