Collaborative restoration recognised
Our Waitarakao: Waitarakao Washdyke Lagoon Catchment Strategy was honoured with the Air New Zealand Supersteward — Tū Tiaki Award at the Local Government Excellence Awards.
The award celebrated local government projects that protect and enhance the natural environment through long-term thinking, strong partnerships and actions that uphold the wellbeing of land, water and people.
The project was a partnership between Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua, Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury), Timaru District Council and the Department of Conservation, working closely with the community to restore the mauri (or wellbeing) of Waitarakao Washdyke Lagoon and catchment for everyone.
The strategy was shaped through extensive engagement with the community. It is being brought to life through actions such as predator control, beach cleanups, stream restoration, native planting, fish sampling and water quality monitoring.
In a statement, project partners were said to be thrilled with the recognition.
Timaru District Mayor Nigel Bowen said it was a great result.
"It shows what can be achieved through collaboration between councils, government agencies, rūnanga and the community.
"The community really got in behind this strategy, and taking care of the area with agencies as we developed the strategy.
"From cleanup days to providing new pathways to the area, it was this collaboration that made it such a success."
Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua chairwoman Fiona Pimm said: "Te Rūnanga o Arowhenua are pleased to see the efforts and passion of many different interests come together to protect Waitarakao".
"This is a special place with historic significance to our Arowhenua whānau and more recently a place of significance to Timaru settlers.
"It is a place where we share common values for protection of our environment."
Department of Conservation Eastern South Island operations director Jo Macpherson said the strategy had set the benchmark for truly collaborative ecological restoration projects with treaty partners, agencies and the community working together.
"It's fantastic to see these efforts recognised.
"This is a really significant ecosystem and culturally significant site, but it's in poor shape so it's vital we all work together for the health of the lagoon."
Awards judges described the strategy as an "outstanding community effort built on strong partnerships and purpose" and a "huge strategic piece of forward planning".
Judges commended the long-term ecological vision, and the role the council played in enabling collaboration across iwi, Doc, council and locals.
Judges also said the strategy was a model that others could learn from and replicate, and it had all the features of a high-quality partnership that could deliver enduring solutions.
Project work and community-led restoration was now taking place in the catchment and people can find out more at ourwaitarakao.co.nz
— APL
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