ABOUT THE PROJECT

The Kaipara is the largest harbour in the Southern Hemisphere and is a national taonga for its many ecological, cultural, historic and economic values. The mauri (life force) of the harbour, its ecological health and wellbeing is being degraded by sediment from the Wairoa River network.

The Wairoa Freshwater Improvement project involves working with landowners to develop farm environment/water quality improvement plans for 230 farms, incorporating sustainable land management practices and the principles of mātauranga Māori. The priority is to reduce sediment into the Kaipara Harbour.

Living Water is one contributor to this multi-partner project.

Benefits

• Reduced sediment and bacteria levels in the Wairoa River and its tributaries
• Improved ecological health of the Wairoa River and Kaipara Harbour

Progress

• The Wairoa Freshwater Improvement project concept was approved in April 2017
• $2.5m secured for the five year project including $1.25m from the government’s Freshwater Improvement Fund and $1.25m funded by project partners (NRC, Living Water, Reconnecting Northland, Landcare Research, SBN - Million Metres Stream) 
• High level project planning to be completed by the end of 2017
• Detailed work plans and implementation starting early 2018