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Streams Alive

 

What is Streams Alive?

Streams Alive is a GWRC assistance programme which supports private landowners in the Wellington Region who want to protect and restore their streams and waterways. It provides advice for all landowners with a stream on their property and financial support for those in the 12 catchments that have been prioritised as having high ecological value.

The streams which are eligible for financial support are: Waitohu Stream, Otaki River, Ration Creek, Karori Stream, Wainuiomata River, Mangaroa River, Owhanga Stream, Upper Waiohine River, Upper Ruamahanga River, Kaiwhata River, Glendhu Stream and Waihora Stream (factsheets to the right of this page).

These streams are considered special because:

  • at least 40% of the catchment in good condition with high ecological value
  • they can support a variety of aquatic life
  • they offer opportunities for establishing or extending natural bush corridors from the mountains to the sea
  • they contains some degraded stream sections that can be rehabilitated by streamside restoration.

farm with stream

Why protect our streams?

Fresh water is one of our most important resources. By protecting our waterways from pollution and degradation we ensure that generations to come also have a clean fresh water supply. Healthy streams and stream margins provide habitat and food for hundreds of plants and animals, and recreational and economic benefits for communities. The condition of a stream is directly affected by the condition of its margin. Stream margins with lots of plants and a reasonably natural shape help keep the stream water cool and clean, with lots of places for fish and insects to live. Read more in the Mind the Stream section of this website.

How Greater Wellington can help?

All landowners in the Wellington Region are entitled to advice on riparian restoration from our Biodiversity and Biosecurity teams.

If you are a landowner in a Streams Alive catchment with a stream on your property, you may qualify for free native plants, planting and "releasing" for two years following planting.

To find out more about Streams Alive or for advice on stream and riparian managment contact Anna Burrows anna.burrows@gw.govt.nz or phone 04 830 4423 or 027 612 0790.

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