Clean-up effort uncovers hidden section of Kaiwharawhara awa

Both Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush and Zealandia are part of the wider Kaiwharawhara catchment, where all water flows into one stream which enters the sea near the Interislander ferry terminal. The Kaiwharawhara catchment is unique in Wellington city: it is the largest stream system and the only catchment from the city with an open estuary in the Wellington harbour. Recently, a new section of the stream was identified in part of Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush.
 
Travis Moody, Groundsperson at Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush was keen to get stuck into an area that needed some love on Wilton Road. Alongside colleagues from the Wellington Gardens team, he started off by clearing the area of gorse and blackberry. 

When this proved to be a bigger task, the team turned to the Kia Mouriora te Kaiwharawhara Sanctuary to Sea community for volunteers, including staff from Zealandia, CentrePort and Manaaki Whenua, as well as Wellington College, who were extremely keen to join in the effort to clear the space. 
 
Over three sessions, the volunteers were able to start removing the ground cover weeds and rubbish which have accumulated over many years. 

Among the rubbish, the crew found old car parts, vintage teacups, glass beer flagons, and they even found a fern growing out of a shoe!
 
Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush Manager Tim Park says that one of the most exciting parts of this work was the discovery of a hidden section of the Kaiwharawhara awa.
 
“We were aware of the lower reaches of the stream, but this section was completely covered in weeds and rubbish near the track and road. My staff and volunteers were very pleased to uncover it and be able to help keep the rubbish and weeds out of the area.”
 
This work enhances the future of these precious places like Ōtari-Wilton’s Bush, says Tim. 
 
“Being supported by groups of motivated volunteers means that we can improve parts of the forest that are quite high profile on Wilton Road, which we wouldn't have capacity to do without support of our partners and volunteers. 
 
"Now that it’s clear of weeds, it’s possible for us to plant in the area this winter and work to keep it free of weeds in the future.”

Tim is extremely grateful for the support of partner organisations that are working toward similar goals. 
 
“Zealandia has done a lot of work with local businesses and organisations who are keen to help restore forest and streams in the Kaiwharawhara catchment.
 
“When we work together, we can get much more work done and volunteers give us a real boost when we have lots of manual work that is best done by a large group.” 

This is just one example of the work happening within Kia Mouriora te Kaiwharawhara Sanctuary to Sea, which is led by Zealandia. This is a collaborative whole-of-catchment restoration initiative with a 100-year vision that the mouri (life force) of the Kaiwharawhara is healed, through working in partnership with mana whenua, organisations and communities throughout the catchment. 

Project Lead of Kia Mouriora te Kaiwharawhara Sanctuary to Sea at Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne Dr Nate Rigler says the project allows us to look at the whole catchment and the restoration of it as a holistic approach.

"While we are working to restore the mouri in Zealandia, if the environment further downstream isn’t healthy then the species that need to move within the catchment for their lifecycle will be impacted.”  

“The Kaiwharawhara catchment is home to animals, insects and plants as well as 39,000 people. Looking after the health and mouri of the catchment means people will one day be able to enjoy activities such as playing in the stream, sitting underneath the shade of a tree, and hearing a chorus of native manu in their gardens.”