Restoring mauri, ora of Gisborne estuary system

Haumanu Tu Ora kaimahi Jess Terekia, left, helping Horouta wananga students with the planting at Waikirikiri Park, on the banks of the Waikirikiri Stream. The students are, from left, Te Waikoriko Nohotima, Kutia Hui, Pretty Riki Aupouri and Summah Smith Picture by Paul Rickard

Teams have been getting stuck into the mahi over the last few weeks of fine weather with winter planting well under way around the city.

The banks of Waikirikiri Stream are now planted with natives after a concerted effort by Haumanu Tū Ora, a Freshwater Improvement Fund (FIF) project between Gisborne District Council and urban hapu including Ngati Oneone.

The stream runs through Waikirikiri Park, so neighbouring kura/schools were invited to come along and take part.

Gisborne District Council Haumanu Tū Ora kaimahi Jess Terekia said the native plants would help revitalise and rehabilitate the mauri and ora of the stream and its habitat to its healthy freshwater state.

“The hapu aspirations of this site have been shared with this project team with the hopes of seeing our native bird life return to this area of Kaiti, which used to be swamp land, and reconnecting them with the Waimata awa.

“Local kura / schools, kindergarten and kōhanga reo were invited to plant along the stream to participate in this important work with the hopes these tamariki feel pride and kaitiakitanga for the very trees they’ve planted. Once upon a time this was a beloved stream, and although some people refer to this as a drain, we are hoping to educate people of the importance of this awa so it can be loved and respected again.”

The team has also been at Campion College with more riparian planting along the banks of the Taruheru River.

These are just two of many projects with the FIF with the goal to restore the mauri and ora of the Turanganui estuary system.

Other projects include riparian planting, wetland restoration, the removal of fish passage barriers and enhancing fish spawning sites.

The total project cost is $4.95m, of which the Ministry for the Environment is funding $2,25m. The council is contributing $2.7m through existing budgets.

The project started in January last year and continues until the end of June 2026.

Once completed, the project will improve the health of the Tūranganui estuary system and the rivers and streams which flow into it (such as the Waikanae Stream, Taruheru River and lower Waimatā River).

Ms Terekia said special mention needed to be made of all the supporters who make these events happen.

They included tauira (students) and staff from Te Kura Reo Rua o Waikirikiri  Waikirikiri Bilingual School, Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Horouta Wānanga (Tauira and staff groups), Pickering Street Kindergarten and Te Whakaruruhau Kōhanga Reo.

ASAP Property Maintenance and Hire provided portable toilets for the three-day planting programme, free of charge, and Roberts Tree Surgeons provided mulch for planting.  The Warehouse provided cardboard. The Whaia Titirangi Restoration Group, Rongowhakaata Iwi Trust Taiao Group, and Enviroschools staff all pitched in too.