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 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.

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 (literally) and be part of the next chapter in Northcote's Greenway.

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

This is a great opportunity to connect with the community and nature and to become a highly 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.

One of the highlights has been working regularly with volunteer Street Guardians working in conjunction with the City Mission and the Tomorrow Inc charity. Another significant highlight was finding our first tuna (eel) after a year of monitoring. Seeing this confirms there are tuna returning to the stream, and continuing a 30 to 80-year reproduction 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.

Kia ora and thanks to our funders and partners, who make it all possible!