Key partners have signed a charter supporting working together using indigenous knowledge to revive the Puhinui Stream.
Te Whakaoranga o Te Puhinui – Puhinui Regeneration will guide urban renewal projects, community action and investment across the catchment.
Manurewa Local Board chair Joseph Allan says the charter maps out a path to restore Te Puhinui communities to health.
“We are proud to work alongside Te Waiohua Iwi (Ngaati Te Ata Waiohua, Ngaati Tamaoho and Te Ākitai Waiohua), because Te Puhinui is so important to Manurewa.”
Deputy Chair Melissa Moore represented the board at the signing and says the charter is the culmination of collaboration among Te Waiohua, council, Kāinga Ora, Te Papa Atawhai (DOC), and community groups.
“It sees Te Waiohua iwi as kaitiaki while supporting a range of initiatives that will enable ‘Te Whakaora’ - the bringing of health to Te Puhinui,” she says.
Te Ākitai Waiohua chair Karen Wilson says the charter is an important step for the catchment.
“We acknowledge all those who have been doing what they can for the tuupuna awa and acknowledge the founding signatories on their commitment.”
Mayor Phil Goff said it was good to see the Puhinui, a stream he played in as a child, being restored.
“After years of it being a dumping ground and suffering from pollution, it’s time to restore ‘te mana o te wai’ to the stream, to give it back its life-giving qualities.”
He says the signatories all want clean and open streams with their banks planted in shrubs and trees, providing play areas for kids, paths and cycleways.
The charter is a direct response to the Manukau Framework Plan, which details the approach Eke Panuku will use to transform Manukau over the next 25 years.
Eke Panuku chair Paul Majurey says Te Puhinui is an important link to the area’s cultural and ecological heritage.
“Te Waiohua challenged us to implement a mai i ngā maunga ki te moana, (mountains-to-the-sea) approach. The next stage is to bring the charter to life through action and that will require many hands.”
Tōtara Park is home to the headwaters of the Puhinui catchment, which also includes central Manukau, Wiri, Homai and Puhinui – including the reserve – and parts of the greenfield development west of the lower stream area.
Community groups, many of which have been active in the catchment over many years, are signing a register of support for the charter.
Find out more here.
