From kayaking and birdwatching to hauling tyres and plastic from the water, hundreds of West Aucklanders came together this year to celebrate and care for the Whau River. The Whau River Catchment Trust’s annual river clean-up expanded into a larger community event, the Whau River Celebration Day, held in May.
The event is part of the Trust’s wider Te Awa o Whau: Whau River Catchment Landowner Kaitiaki Programme, a community-led initiative that helps residents become active guardians of local waterways. Through education, community events and practical environmental action, the programme helps people understand stream health, improve flood resilience, enhance biodiversity and protect the catchment for future generations.
The Celebration Day brought environmental organisations and community groups together with Sport Hub’s Dragon Boat Festival, creating new opportunities for people to connect with the river and learn how they can contribute to its wellbeing.
‘About 142 people took part in activities organised by the Trust, while an estimated 500 attended through Sport Hub,’ says Gilbert Brakey, General Manager of the Whau River Catchment Trust (WRCT). He says the partnership helped the Trust engage a broader and more diverse audience.
The day featured river and land-based clean-ups, guided walks, kayaking, birdwatching and biodiversity education. Eight environmental organisations were also on hand to share conservation knowledge, promote local volunteering opportunities and demonstrate how individual actions can contribute to healthier waterways and more resilient communities.
Among those rolling up their sleeves were 60 Sea Scouts and 20 parents. Together, they removed a trailer load of tyres, polystyrene, plastic pallets and other rubbish from the upper Whau River.
Flooding is a growing concern, particularly as climate change brings more frequent and intense rainfall. Ageing stormwater systems, increasing development and large areas of hard surfaces can add to the problem.
Gilbert says WRCT recently surveyed residents about flooding, preparedness and community involvement. Eighty-three per cent of participants had experienced or witnessed flooding, while half had altered outdoor areas to help water flow more freely across their properties.
The research also showed a strong willingness to help. Half of those surveyed were interested in joining or supporting a local flood-resilience or environmental restoration group.
‘Our communities are often reasonably well-informed, engaged and ready to be part of the solution,’ says Gilbert.
WRCT received $20,000 from the 2026 Your West Support Fund to support the Te Awa o Whau: Whau River Catchment Landowner Kaitiaki Programme. The funding will help WRCT bring people together as kaitiaki, strengthen connections between residents and their local waterways, and contribute to a cleaner, healthier and more resilient Whau River catchment.
‘The Whau River Celebration Day demonstrated the difference collective action can make,’ says Gilbert.
Learn more about the Whau River Catchment Trust at whauriver.org.nz or follow them on Facebook.
If you or your organisation could use support from The Trusts, find out how to apply at thetrusts.co.nz/our-funds.
