Environmental Action in the Community Award
Waiau Rivercare Group, (from left) Blayne de Vries, Eric McKenzie, Glenys Steel, Paul Marshall, Claire Jordan, Peter Horrell, Christina Vaughan, with WM Environmental representatives Fiona Walker and Renee Murrell.
The Waiau Rivercare Group is facing a challenge like no other when it comes to trying to restore the hauora (healthy resilience) of the Waiau River. Formed in 2017 with strong community support and incorporated it in 2019, the group is working hard to restore the health of the Waiau River. Their goal is to get back the river the community once had.
The group has 425 members – the oldest member is 94 and still active and the youngest members are new entrants at the local primary schools. Working with these schools, the Children’s Kaitiaki Project was established, and the group has campaigned effectively to give the Waiau River a voice on not only a regional platform, but also a national platform. For them, water quality and water quantity cannot be separated, with the vast majority of the Waiau River’s water being diverted through a large hydro scheme.
The group continues to advocate for the river through various means and working with various groups and organisations. The judges were impressed by the group’s drive and well-thought-out campaign with very clear objectives. “It is impressive how they have approached it, their partnerships are strong, and they’re punching well above their weight to engage at a high level.”
