CentrePort has joined forces with Zealandia Te Māra a Tāne and the wider community surrounding the Kaiwharawhara Stream to help protect one of Wellington’s most precious waterways.
CentrePort has formally become a strategic partner in the Sanctuary to Sea project that is focused on the ecological restoration of the Kaiwharawhara Stream catchment, which extends from Zealandia to the Kaiwharawhara estuary within the port.
CentrePort has enabled and participated in community-based activities in the catchment for several years, including beach clean ups, enviro school visits and ecological surveys.
CEO Derek Nind says the port has an important part to play to protect the Kaiwharawhara estuary and support the Kaiwharawhara community.
“The Kaiwharawhara estuary is a critical part of the catchment, especially for the passage of fish species. It’s also where we work every day.
“With Zealandia and the other community partners, we’re committed to the project and look forward to carrying on our work together to make a real difference to the catchment and Te Whanganui-a-Tara, our harbour,” said Mr Nind.
Zealandia Chief Executive Paul Atkins is thrilled to welcome CentrePort to the Sanctuary to Sea Project.
“The Kaiwharawhara catchment has many special values—a rich cultural history, many species of native fish, and a dedicated network of organisations, community groups and individuals who are committed to its protection and restoration. Our goal is that healthy habitats for our native species abound: that native fish can migrate safely between the estuary and the sanctuary; that there are suitable habitats for birds that disperse down the catchment; and that the people of Wellington can continue reaching for a nature-rich future.
“We welcome CentrePort as a new strategic partner on the project and look forward to working together as we collectively seek to restore this precious taonga,” said Mr Atkins.
CentrePort joins countless community groups and six other strategic partners with Zealandia in the Sanctuary to Sea Project – the Department of Conservation, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Taranaki Whānui, Wellington City Council, Wellington Water Ltd and Morphum Environmental Ltd.