Te Ara Awataha

Northcote's New Greenway

Join Our Regeneration Events

Te Ara Awataha regeneration

Imagine a place where you can walk or cycle, kids can play and learn about nature, you can meet people, or simply sit quietly on a park bench enjoying the sounds of the birds in the trees.

Te Ara Awataha - “the path of the Awataha” is a 1.5km greenway corridor in the heart of Northcote. The purpose of daylighting the Awataha Stream is to bring back its mauri, which includes regenerating its source, Papa ki Awataha - Jessie Tonar Scout Reserve, and connecting the town centre, schools and homes.

Since March 2019, Kaipātiki Project has been delivering the community-led regeneration of this reserve on behalf of Eke Panuku in partnership with mana whenua, Auckland Council's Healthy Waters, Kāinga Ora and the Kaipātiki Local Board.

Working to deliver on the aspirations of the Take Mauri Take Hono mauri indicator framework developed by mana whenua, Kaipātiki Project has been piloting the whole-system approach for community restoration. This framework guides efforts to boost the mauri of the stream, improve water quality and allow it to become a habitat for birds, insects, and tuna (eels) once more. It also reconnects the community to this lost environmental taonga that is now available for everyone to explore.

For nature, for mauri, for people

You might not have known, but Awataha Stream has always run through Northcote town centre and has a long historical and cultural significance in the area.

Many years ago, as Northcote developed, the stream was enclosed in a concrete pipe to make construction ‘simpler’. This had unfortunate cultural, environmental and practical consequences.

Enclosing the stream sacrificed the mauri (life essence) of the stream, destroying and depleting the living ecosystems surrounding it. What’s more, it reduced the town’s capacity to deal with flood events.

The stream has now been restored to flow freely, reviving its mauri and improving flood resilience.

Join the green revolution

Want in on the action? Be part of our community regeneration events, meet your neighbours, and dive into the story of Te Ara Awataha. Get your hands dirty in the stream and connect with nature.

We’re calling on the community to join us in this endeavour, to regenerate this nature-based community space. Join us and see what it takes to get new ecosystems thriving!

This is a great opportunity to connect with the community and nature and become a knowledgeable, seasoned hand at native bush regeneration.

Check out our upcoming community events.

Take Mauri Take Hono mauri framework

Aho Taiao: Living with nature - Nature is visible, green, resilient, and ecologically healthy.
Aho Tangata: Sharing communal space and feeling safe - The work supports a connected, healthy, and inclusive community.
Aho Toi: Working collaboratively - The community is empowered through the work.

Following the mauri indicators framework, Kaipātiki Project co-created a regeneration plan for Papa ki Awataha - Jessie Tonar Scout Reserve, where the spring or ‘puna’ of the stream begins. Central to community engagement, there are monthly working bees at the site, with an initial focus on the removal of a large stand of running bamboo. In addition to these events aimed at encouraging engagement with immediate neighbours and locals, we have also been supported by corporate groups, local schools and community groups.

Parts of the stream have been daylighted, helping manage stormwater and reduce flooding, especially at Te Kaitaka Greenslade Reserve. The greenway now supports native wildlife, including banded kōkopu, kōura and longfin eels, with watercress growing naturally—signs of a thriving ecosystem.

A highlight of this journey has been the ongoing collaboration with Street Guardians, supported by Auckland City Mission and Tomorrow Inc. Their volunteer efforts have been instrumental in maintaining and enhancing the space. One particularly exciting milestone was the discovery of our first tuna (eel) after a year of monitoring—evidence that these remarkable creatures are returning and continuing their 30–80 year life cycle.

Community-enabled regeneration

Papa ki Awataha | The Jessie Tonar Scout Reserve, located at the end of Kākā Street and the source of the Awataha Stream, has experienced a wonderful transformation, all thanks to our dedicated community. Volunteers from local schools and committed neighbours have invested time and effort in weed removal, native planting, and water quality monitoring.

Our community's support has been remarkable, with some neighbours actively participating in every restoration day since 2019. Their keen observations have documented the resurgence of native birds like kōtare, tuī, kererū, and even the rare banded kōkopu in the stream. A special mention goes to a neighbour who generously tended to the garden during our absence.

The kākā sighting, a first in 30 years, is a testament to the success of our collective efforts. Together, we're not just restoring a reserve; we're cultivating a vibrant ecosystem that reflects the spirit of our close-knit community.