Te Wharemauku Awa, the stream that flows from the hills above Paraparaumu through the town centre to Raumati Beach, is facing its biggest changes in more than 50 years.
With Coastlands gaining consent to redevelop its section of the stream, the soon-to-be fast-tracked New Central Park featuring “Whale Song” and 8 hectares of restored wetland, and a growing vision to reinvigorate the Airport, the awa sits at the heart of Kāpiti’s transformation.
Amid this momentum, a new community-led group called Te Wharemauku Awa Rōpū has formed to help coordinate efforts and ensure that development, restoration and community action align under a shared vision: a thriving, healthy awa that supports wildlife, connects people, and becomes a valued community asset.
Marco Zeeman, spokesperson for Te Wharemauku Awa Rōpū says the Wharemauku is changing faster than it has in decades and that brings both opportunity and responsibility for the community.
“If we connect the people, plans and projects along the stream, we can make these changes add up to something extraordinary. Together we can restore the awa’s mauri, create beautiful public spaces and build a legacy for generations to come,” says Mr Zeeman.
The group brings together mana whenua, residents, schools, community groups, agencies and landowners to coordinate restoration, share knowledge and advocate for the awa’s long-term wellbeing.
Mr Zeeman say part of this work is also to start collecting and sharing the stories that surround this awa. “We know the Wharemauku holds a huge amount of history and memory for our community, so we want to start telling those stories — the role it played in people’s lives, how it has changed over time and how people continue to engage with the stream today.”
Kaitawa Reserve already shows what’s possible when community and nature thrive together, with an established native forest, thriving birdlife and flourishing freshwater ecosystems. Similarly, the expressway wetlands, along with tributaries planted and cared for over many years by volunteers, now support rich native planting and accessible trails, offering a glimpse of how restored habitats can reconnect people with the awa.
Te Wharemauku Awa Rōpū hopes to see these successes echoed from the headwaters to the sea.
Locals are encouraged to connect with Te Wharemauku Awa Rōpū to learn more, share stories/memories and link up with the many groups already doing great mahi along the awa.
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Email: [email protected]
If you’re involved in a project or group working on the stream, they’d love to hear from you to support and amplify your efforts.
About Te Wharemauku Awa Rōpū
Te Wharemauku Awa Rōpū connects, supports and amplifies the mahi of all who care for the Wharemauku Stream. From source to sea, the group works to restore wildlife corridors, improve water quality and build community understanding and guardianship of this vital taonga and its surroundings.