Together with mana whenua, we’re developing a plan to improve the Waikanae Stream. Take the survey and help shape the future of this treasured waterway.
The Waikanae Stream begins in Makaraka, flows through Awapuni and Gisborne’s industrial and business areas before joins the Tūranganui River. It may be small but it’s deeply significant—for nature, the environment and for mana whenua, including Nga Uri o Ngai Tāwhiri, for whom it is a taonga (treasure).
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E waihanga mahere te Kaunihera o Te Tairāwhiti ki te taha o ngā mana whenua hei whakaora i te Awa o Waikanae. Ūhia mai ōu whakaaro kia ahu tika ai te taonga nei ki mua.
Tīmataria ai te Awa o Waikanae i
Mākaraka, rere atu mā ngā wāhi ahumahi, wāhi pakihi o Awapuni me Tūranga hoki.
Ahakoa iti, he hiranga, he tāpua – mō te ao tūroa, te taiao, me te mana whenua,
hāunga mō Ngā Uri o Ngai Tāwhiri nō rātau te taonga nei.
Continue reading in either te reo Māori or English
Te reo Māori
Pēnei i te whakatupu hua māra, te tautoko hī ika me ētahi atu mahi o te rā. He mea nui te awa nei ki te oranga o te tangata me te tuakiri o te hapori.
Engari, i te roanga ake o te wā, kua
pākia kinohia te awa e ngā mahi pāmu me te whakarahinga o te tāone. Ināianei, e hiahia ana te Kaunihera ki te whakaora i
te awa mā te whakatū mahere hei hiki ake i tōna mauri.
Ka noho tēnei mahere hei wāhanga o
tētahi atu mahere nui ake mō te katoa o te rohenga hopu wai o Waipaoa, ā, ka
kapi i ngā tikanga tiaki i te kounga me te rere o te wai, me ngā kāinga o ngā
tipu me ngā kararehe e noho ana i reira.
English
Why we need a plan for the Waikanae
It helped grow crops and supported fishing and other everyday needs. It was a big part of local life and identity.
But over time, farming and urban growth have damaged the stream. Now, the Council wants to improve the stream by creating a plan that uplifts its mauri - its life force.
This plan will be part of a bigger one for the whole Waipaoa catchment area and it’ll cover how to look after the stream’s water quality, flow and the homes for plants and animals living there.
Take the survey
We’re asking for thoughts from whānau and the community to help shape the future of the Waikanae Stream, because it matters to all of us.
If you have any relationship with the Waikanae Stream, even if you're just a passerby, we'd love to hear from you.
There are 3 versions of the survey, please use the form that describes you best:
Whānau and community, rangatahi, or industry.
The survey closes on 31 October 2025
