Conservation Volunteers NZ staff and supporters gathered at Nicky and Mark Auld’s Brookby property recently to celebrate what’s been achieved under a plan to revitalise the Papakura Stream.
The first plantings took place in 2021, and Conservation Volunteers NZ’s Mitch Baber says since the first 1000 trees and flax bushes went in, another 150,000 or so have followed.
The project receives funding from the Franklin, Manurewa and Papakura local boards, uniting them with landowners, Healthy Waters, Trees for Survival, CVNZ and industry to protect a stream that flows through all three areas and on into the Manukau.
The project fences waterways and adds plants to filter run-off that enters the stream.
Barber says CVNZ co-ordinates corporate and volunteer support, but work couldn’t take place without funding, or the owners who make their land available.
The Aulds are long-time environmental champions, creating wetlands, attacking weeds, and planting the stream’s banks, and say they’re delighted with progress.
“We’ve got a lot of our neighbours into it too, because they can see seen what’s been achieved,” Nicky says.
The success of the scheme on Nicky Auld's Brookby property has seen neighbours join the project.
“Eventually we will connect different plantings to create a continuous chain along the stream that birds can use, that will prevent stock getting into the water, and which will benefit landowners and everyone downstream.”
She and Mark say the benefits in the return of birdlife have been enormous. “We even have kaka now, and birds are moving into more areas,” Nicky says.
Mark says the stream’s water is already clearer and he’s spotted fish, tuna and eels.
“We’ve come a long way since strangers knocked on our doors talking about the plan. It’s getting easier as we’ve come to work alongside the Conservation NZ team.”
Franklin Local Board chair Angela Fulljames says without the Auld’s vision the project would have been impossible.
“You are asking people to give up areas of their land to improve the environment. How many of us in urban areas would do that if someone came and said they wanted to take the bottom of the garden?
“That takes commitment, and at a time when many people still argue farmers only care about profit, Nicky and Mark and their neighbours deserve our thanks.”
Thousands of plants and trees have been added to the stream's banks.
Papakura board chair Brent Catchpole says his board has supported the project for several years and will be just as keen to see major improvements in urban catchment areas.
“It’s easy to find neglected stretches of the stream but we’re particularly encouraged by the attitude of younger people to the environment. It gives us great hope that things can improve.”
Manurewa chair Matt Winiata says CVNZ does great work with its partners. “They say the greatest gift you can give anyone is your time, and they have harnessed people and made a real difference.
“The steam is our border with Papakura but it’s something that unites us, rather than divides us. We are also aware how important it is culturally.
“Everyone we speak to who has been involved comes away a champion for the project. Even if gardening isn’t your thing, there’s something rewarding about leaving the city behind, getting into open spaces and knowing you are making a difference.”
Papakura Stream flows more than 60 kilometres from its Brookby headwaters to the Manukau via the Pahurehure inlet, its catchment covering more than 4000 hectares.
The project still needs partners to provide funds and in-kind support, while landowners along the stream have an open invitation to participate. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Conservation Volunteers NZ here.
Check out CVNZ’s video about the project here.
Stay connected
Sign up for your Local Board E-news and get the latest news and events direct to your inbox each month.
