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Papawai Stream Restoration Project

This project involves Maori and the wider community working to restore the mauri of Papawai – Mangarara Stream. This stream is culturally important to Maori and forms a key part of the stormwater drainage from the township of Greytown. The project will work toward sustainable management of the waterway, to return the stream to its former importance as a place of sustainance and play. 

In the past there has been a fragmented approach in dealing with the wider issues that face the Papawai Stream; as a result the stream has become a degraded ecosystem. Through an inclusive community approach we aim to deal with these issues in a democratic and logical manner, working towards re-establishing a healthy stream for all.

The Visions and Goals

The community group’s vision of the key outcomes of the restoration programme is:-

  • A viable ecosystem and Mauri
  • Able to support sustainable economic developments
  • Is clean, green and healthy
  • Has optimal water quality
  • Is accessible
  • Their goals will involve tackling the issues and challenges associated with:
  • Water-quality, water-use, flooding
  • Access, rights, responsibility and jurisdiction
  • Food gathering and stream life
  • Management and funding
  • Aesthetics
  • Developing and using knowledge and information about the stream

In the longer term, achieving significant improvement to the waters of the Ruamahanga River is seen as essential to realising the potential of the Papawai Stream Project (an example being the threats to native migratory fish species).

An over-arching goal is for the project to receive national recognition for being successful.

The restoration programme involves:

  • Wilding willow removal and weed management
  • Riparian planting and maintenance
  • Long-term funding, resource development and project management
  • Workforce training and upskilling
  • Long-term solutions for sewage treatment
  • Fostering sustainable agricultural practices
  • Cultural and educational development
  • Research and economic development
  • Monitoring

Contact information

Group contact: Peter Rewi, 06 370 260

 

Greater Wellington contact: Tony Faulkner, ph: 06 826 1563, Tony.Faulkner@gw.govt.nz

  

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