Water Catchment Restoration
He pukenga wai he nohonga tāngata, he nohonga tāngata he pukenga kōrero
Where waters meet, people gather; where people gather, knowledge flows.
Our Vision
At the heart of our mahi is the understanding that healthy waterways connect land to sea, people to place, and communities to each other. Our vision is that the community recognises this vital connection and takes active steps to protect and restore it, for the well-being of our ecosystems, our people, and future generations
Our Home
Takarunga Hauraki/Devonport Peninsula is uniquely positioned, surrounded by the sparkling waters of the Waitematā Harbour. For those who live here, the ocean is not just a backdrop – it’s a source of recreation, identity, and well-being. From sailing and swimming to simply walking along the shore, our community deeply values the ocean and the ecosystem services it provides, including climate regulation, biodiversity, and natural beauty.
Protecting our waterways means protecting the health of our harbour and the experiences we treasure. Every stream, wetland, and stormwater outlet plays a role in this delicate balance.
Local Taonga
Our repo and awa are home to a rich variety of native species, including threatened shorebirds such as the tūturiwhatu (NZ dotterel), kuaka (bar-tailed godwit) and tuna (eel). By restoring our catchments, we’re protecting the homes of these precious taonga and ensuring their survival for generations to come.
Partnerships & Connections
Water restoration is a complex and collaborative effort so it is important for us to nurture connections with like-minded organisations. By sharing knowledge, resources, and expertise, we strengthen our collective impact. We’re proud to work alongside groups such as the Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, as well as local sailing clubs including Devonport Yacht Club and Wakatere Boating Club. We are also grateful for the support of Auckland Council Healthy Waters and Waicare. These partnerships are deeply valued, reflecting our belief that a connected community is essential for the wellbeing of te taiao.
Our Plan
We are working to restore the mauri of our local waterways through education, partnerships, and community action. Our approach is grounded in the belief that when people understand the importance of their local catchments, they are empowered to care for them.
We support restoration through:
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Active habitat restoration, including native planting days and pest control
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Citizen science projects that involve local whānau and kura
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Partnerships with mana whenua, schools, sports clubs and like-minded organisations
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Community education to build local knowledge and inspire action
How can you get involved?
Join us for our Haumanu Wai days — hands-on events focused on stream restoration and water quality monitoring. These community gatherings are usually held on the first Saturday of each month at various waterways across Takarunga Hauraki. Please stay up to date by subscribing to our newsletter and checking our events page.
We’re also looking for passionate locals to help build strong, committed communities around their neighbourhood streams. If this sounds like you, we’d love to hear from you!"
FY 26 Our Goals
Empower local teams to lead restoration
Engage with citizen science initiatives
Raise awareness of challenges facing our water catchments
Ways to Get Involved
Volunteer
Gift a plant
Donate
