Papakura Normal School students have got their hands dirty in the name of clean water and thriving wildlife, planting the final 500 native plants to complete a major stormwater pond restoration project at Bruce Pulman Park.
The project, led by Auckland Council’s Healthy Waters and Flood Resilience team, has transformed six tired and untidy stormwater ponds into healthier, greener habitats, with more than 2,500 new native plants established in just under a year.
Papakura Local Board Chair, Brent Catchpole, says the board was proud to help get the project off the ground.
“These ponds had become a bit of an eyesore, and residents rightly wanted to see something done. We were happy to support funding to get the job sorted. It’s fantastic to see the ponds restored and to know our tamariki are directly involved in making their neighbourhood better.”
Papakura Primary School students preparing to get their hands dirty.
Stormwater ponds are crucial in capturing runoff from nearby streets and sports fields before the water flows into the Manukau Harbour. Over the years, the Bruce Pulman Park ponds had suffered erosion, patchy planting, and murky water. Despite this, birdlife persisted, even tuna (eel) was spotted in the ponds.
Healthy Waters Senior Specialist Donna Carter, who led the project, says it was a true team effort.
“We wanted to do more than just tidy things up; we wanted to create ponds that are resilient, beautiful, and ecologically healthy.
“Partnering with the school was a highlight for me; the kids were the fastest planters I’ve ever seen, and their energy brought the project to life. This is about water quality, but it’s also about pride of place.”
A key step in the restoration was iwi involvement from the outset. Representatives from Ngaati Te Ata Waiohua and Ngāti Tamaoho shaped the project design, including the removal of a man-made bridge that was restricting water flow. This change reflected iwi values of restoring natural systems and boosted flood resilience by improving water-holding capacity during storms.
Papakura Primary School students preparing to plant a kowhai tree.
The site was blessed in April by Ngaati Te Ata Waiohua kaumatua Paora Puru, and iwi input continues to be reflected in the planting and long-term care of the ponds.
To celebrate the final planting, contractors put on morning tea for the students, who are also working on a commemorative plaque with Mountains to Sea. The plaque will sit beside a kōwhai tree planted by the school, a lasting reminder of the young planters’ role in restoring the ponds for future generations.
What began as an untidy problem has ended as a source of community pride, with clean water, flourishing habitat, and a new connection for tamariki to their local environment.
