Thinking caps go on over stream's health

IDEAS WANTED: Peter Harrington (left), Taparoto Nicholson, Craig Morley, Bella Tait, Hariata Tapiata and Kim McGrouther want to hear your ideas at the Puarenga Stream hui. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

Ideas and opinions are wanted on ways to restore the Puarenga Stream's health.

A hui is being held at the Whakarewarewa School hall tonight, with Scion, DoC, the Waiariki Institute of Technology, Keep Rotorua Beautiful, Wildlands and Te Puia looking for public input.

Hui organiser Craig Morley wanted to emphasise the stream's importance, not only as a recreational site but a cultural and historical one.

"It's steeped in history and culture and is one of the main tributaries going straight to the lake (Rotorua)," Mr Morley said. "We want to create better recreational areas and improve the biodiversity of the area."

Scion's Peter Harrington said the water quality of the stream, which entered the lake at Sulphur Bay, was determined in the headlands and was not the meeting's primary objective.

"The pollution of the stream is mainly from land use. But this whole project is not about water quality; we are looking at the banks and riparian areas. A lot of the area has blackberry bushes and weeds now which is not very nice aesthetically," he said.

Scion's Kim McGrouther said they wanted to unite those interested in the project: "It is about getting the community involved and growing initiatives in the meeting."

Many groups were involved in contributing to restoration at points of the stream, she said.

Whakarewarewa School principal Hariata Tapiata was keen to be involved.

"It is so relevant to our children. A number of them have been diving by the bridge and ending up with dry skin."

Te Puia cultural adviser Taparoto Nicholson wanted the stream to be safe to swim in: "The objective is not just to restore the stream to recreational use, but to see a return to vegetation, flora and fauna.

"We don't expect it overnight. Our Maori communities have aspirations to see it return to a clean level of health."

-Puarenga Stream hui, Whakarewarewa School Hall, Sala St. Kai and snacks from 6.30 tonight. Hui 7pm-9pm.