The Waikawa Catchment is well-loved by its community and still retains many important ecological and cultural values which can be restored and enhanced. In 2024 the Waikawa Community undertook the process of preparing an Integrated Catchment Management Plan (ICMP) – this is an aspirational, living document which helps to guide community actions. The ICMP vision is “Community at the heart of maintaining and safeguarding the Waikawa River and the catchment’s unique landscapes and indigenous species, now and into the future.”

We believe a community nursery will help implement the Waikawa ICMP. The nursery will create a local space where community can come together to propagate plants, learn about the environment and stay connected to the catchment.

Please get in touch if you would like to be involved in the Waikawa Community Nursery.

About our logo

We have chosen the kanakana as a tohu / symbol of the importance of this fish species to people and their long-standing connection to the Waikawa River. A healthy river supports healthy wildlife and healthy people. To learn more about kanakana / pouched lamprey (Geotria australis) see this information on the NIWA website and read about reseach being done by the Hokonui Rūnanga. The nohoanga (gathering site) at Manga Piri (Niagara Falls) is an important location for mahika kai (food gathering) and is one of the few places left along the Waikawa River where closed-canopy mature kōwhai-mānatu forest remains.