Kaipara Harbour care is a community success

New Zealand’s largest harbour is reaping the benefits of a collaborative community-focused care programme in the Kaipara Harbour catchment area.

The work being done to care for the harbor, led by the Integrated Kaipara Management Group (IKHMG), is a collaborative approach between Mana Whenua, the Auckland Council and other territorial authorities, crown agencies and community groups.

The IKHMG utilises both Mātauranga Māori (Māori traditional world view and knowledge) and western science to manage the environment.

Since 2011, the IKHMG flagship programme has seen approximately 40,000 native trees planted, four kilometres of riparian margins fenced, seven farm plans developed and nine baseline monitoring programmes established across its showcase sites alone. It also supports groups with their projects to help care for the area.

Councillor Wayne Walker, Chair of the Environment, Climate Change and Natural Heritage Committee, says that this project is a win for the environment, and it is evident that the communities around the Kaipara care deeply about their environment.

“This riparian planting will improve water quality, reduce sediment run-off and increase fish and other life in the streams. This is better for fishing, better for farmers, and better for the community.

“What is striking about the work being done in the Kaipara is the involvement of everyone in the various projects taking place. They genuinely care about the area and want to make it better,” he says.

“It is a true example of a community coming together – people from all walks of life and cultures working to achieve an objective that benefits everybody involved, and one that will leave a lasting legacy for future generations, which has organically grown into kaitiakitanga.”

Kaitiakitanga embraces the Māori world view of guardianship, care and wise management of the environment.

Auckland Council has several land management programmes in the Kaipara that complement IKHMG initiatives.

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