“A lot of great mahi” to restore Te Waihora

Date: 20 Aug 2025

Category: News | Environment | Ngāi Tahu | Coastal Environment

“Mā whero, mā pako; ka oti ai te mahi. The task shall be achieved through unity.”

This sentiment, and the vision of Whakaora Te Waihora – to restore and rejuvenate the mana, mauri and ecosystem health of Te Waihora and its catchment – were reaffirmed at an informal hui of the Co-Governance partners on 11 July, hosted by Taumutu Rūnanga at Te Pā o Moki.

Te Waihora - a national and international taonga

Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere is the largest coastal lagoon in Aotearoa/New Zealand, and an important wildlife area both nationally and internationally. The lake and its catchment have faced many challenges over the past century with declining water quality, habitat and biodiversity loss, and climate change. Whakaora Te Waihora is an extensive ecological and cultural restoration programme, delivering multiple projects to restore and protect this taonga.

Hui to review and strengthen the vision

The recent hui was an opportunity for the partners – Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Canterbury Regional Council (Environment Canterbury), Selwyn District Council, Christchurch City Council, and Te Papa Atawhai Department of Conservation (DOC) – to connect, review the goals and vision for the Whakaora Te Waihora programme, share current mahi/work underway, and discuss future opportunities. The hui was held at Te Pā o Moki – near the shores of Te Waihora – and also included directors of Taumutu Rūnanga Ltd.

As each member of the group spoke, they shared stories about their experiences with and memories of the lake, and of the mahi that they, their colleagues and mana whenua have been involved in to restore the lake and its surrounds.

Co-Chair Craig Pauling said the kōrero was an impressive reminder of how much is being done for Te Waihora.

“There is a lot of great mahi being done, a lot of which people don’t know about. I’m blown away, hearing the kōrero from everyone here today. It’s a great reminder of the progress being made toward our vision for Te Waihora.” Pauling said.

Co-Chair Liz Brown agreed that the collaborative effort is extensive – and vital.

“The mahi to achieve our vision is being delivered not only by the five Co-Governance partners – individually and as part of the joint restoration programme – but also by mana whenua and the community. We’re determined to achieve our vision, and energised by the thought of partnering with new organisations to increase the impact of our collective efforts.”

Seeking partnership opportunities

The programme has some big goals, but the partnership is well placed and determined to deliver – mō tātou, ā, mō kā uri ā muri ake nei/for us and our children after us.

As well as the Co-Governance partners, there are many community partners delivering work that contributes to the management and restoration of Te Waihora. These partners are represented on the Whakakōhanga Kōrero (the nurturing place of conversations) – a forum of the various organisations contributing to the restoration of Te Waihora. This forum enables the many strands of restoration work to be as strategic and effective as possible.

With this collaborative model well-embedded, the mahi is well-placed for success.

However, there is still much work to be done. The Co-Governors are interested in hearing from potential new collaborators, such as foundations, corporations and trusts, to help fund more critical mahi. It’s a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the delivery of tangible outcomes for this precious area – with lots of key projects to support.

We need your support: The Whakaora Te Waihora partners invite foundations, corporations and trusts to support vital restoration mahi for this precious taonga. Visit the Te Waihora website to learn more about how you can help or email the Co-Governance team.

Key restoration projects

New interactive map showcases Te Waihora restoration projects

The Whakaora Te Waihora programme encompasses a large number of projects. But beyond the programme, there is much work being led by mana whenua, other organisations and community groups as well.

A new digital GIS map is now available for the public to see where and what restoration projects are taking place in the Te Waihora catchment.

Environment Canterbury partnership programmes lead, David Murphy, says the map has been a long time coming.

“The partners and other organisations who deliver the incredible mahi for Te Waihora have wanted a tool like this for some time. This map will support strategic and operational decisions and improve understanding of where the mahi is being focused, and what gaps and opportunities there are.”

Te Repo o Papatahora – Restoring the Waikēkēwai catchment

As part of the hui, the Co-Governors visited Te Repo o Papatahora wetland, which lies adjacent to Te Pā o Moki. The wetland was constructed as part of the Whakaora Te Waikēkēwai project, led by Taumutu Rūnanga Ltd. and Environment Canterbury, which focuses on restoring the lower to mid reaches of the catchment of Te Waikēkēwai/Waikēkēwai Stream.

Rare birds kōtuku (white heron) and matuku-hūrepo (bittern) have recently been seen visiting the area, to the delight of the project team.

Weed Strikeforce – Controlling invasive species

Another significant project is the Weed Strikeforce, led by DOC and co-funded by Environment Canterbury. Over the last year, the Weed Strikeforce has completed 700 hectares of ecological weed control around the lake. As a result, an abundance of native plants such as raupō and harakeke are popping up, helping to restore the wetland’s values, and bringing hope for improving the lake’s water quality for future generations.

Whakaora Te Ahuriri – Rejuvenating a lost lagoon

Environment Canterbury is leading the Whakaora Te Ahuriri restoration project, guided by a plan from Rūnanga representatives and neighbouring landowners. Once a large lagoon, the surrounding area was drained and its ecological and cultural values all but lost. Work thus far has included a constructed wetland, weed control and natural regeneration projects, and Te Pae Ahuriri planted site (led by Te Ara Kākāriki).

Tārerekautuku Yarrs Lagoon Reserve – Protecting a significant natural area

The restoration of Tārerekautuku Yarrs Lagoon Reserve is another key project, that is seeking further support. This mahi is about reinvigorating one of the largest freshwater wetlands remaining within the former central Canterbury Plains swamp. It is considered a Significant Natural Area for its unique ecological and cultural values. Selwyn District Council is leading the work and has been awarded funding through the Ministry for the Environment Freshwater Improvement Fund to restore and enhance native biodiversity and cultural values, as well as improve water quality and restore hydrological function in the area.

Whakahaumanu o Huritini – Restoring the Halswell River

Whakahaumanu o Huritini/Restoration of the Halswell River is reimagining the riverine landscape that connects Ōtautahi/Christchurch to Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere to improve water quality entering Te Waihora. Environment Canterbury, Te Ara Kākāriki and Christchurch City Council (through its Stormwater Management Plan) are leading this work. The health of the Huritini has been declining significantly due to a high sediment load from the Port Hills and a broken riparian landscape, which in turn carries sediment into Te Waihora.

Work is underway to restore and revegetate sites along the awa/river, but more work is required to complete the riparian restoration and mitigate sediment entering the awa to improve the quality of water entering Te Waihora.