The Waikanae River environment has undergone transformative changes since the first Waikanae River Environmental Strategy was released in 1999.
In the River Corridor downstream of the Rail Bridge, community volunteers, including the Friends of the Waikanae River, Kāpiti Ecological Restoration and Maintenance Trust and the Waikanae Estuary Care Group have been hard at work, planting more than 100,000 native plants to restore this unique ecological corridor. In addition, new access paths and recreational facilities have been developed by GWRC, KCDC and DOC. These changes have markedly improved the local ecology and the river is now a very popular recreational area for local residents and visitors to the Kāpiti Coast alike.
The Waikanae River Environmental Strategy has now been updated to reflect these achievements, and provide a means of harnessing the efforts of Greater Wellington Regional Council, Kāpiti Coast District Council, the Department of Conservation, Te Atiawa ki Whakarongotai and the community volunteer groups, towards restoring and maintaining the ecological integrity of the river environment while providing for its sustainable use and enjoyment by the community.
The updated Strategy has been signed by Councillor Barbara Donaldson of GWRC and Councillor Penny Gaylor of KCDC, to reflect the partnership approach that is being taken by both councils to the restoration and enhancement of the Waikanae River environment.
The strategy can be downloaded from www.gw.govt.nz/waikanae-river-environmental-strategy/ Printed copies are available from Greater Wellington Regional Council, Flood Protection Department. To order a copy please email [email protected] or phone 0800 4WN REG (0800 496 734).
