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Auckland’s Harbour Bridge will, this Friday, be transformed into a spectacular celebration of our marine environment, with an exciting, engaging light and audio story in honour of WWF-New Zealand’s Whale Tales public art trail – opening throughout Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland on 24 January 2022. 

“It is fantastic to see Vector Lights get behind the Whale Tales public art trail. This trail is going to delight and enthrall whānau / ‘aiga all summer and to see it kick off with a stunning light show on the Harbour Bridge is perfect,” says Councillor Alf Filipaina, Chair of Auckland Council’s Parks, Arts, Community and Events Committee.

“Vector Lights is all about sustainability and the whale tales trail is highlighting the importance of sustaining a healthy population of the Bryde’s Whale – Tīkapa Moana’s resident whale species.

“I encourage everyone to enjoy the show, explore the art trail around the region and learn what role we all can play in protecting this amazing living taonga.”

The light show is presented by Vector Lights, in partnership with Vector, Auckland Council, Auckland Unlimited, and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency.

Powered by a mix of leading technology, including solar, battery, and peer-to-peer systems, Vector Lights will transform the Waitematā Harbour ahead of the launch of Whale Tales 2022, the incredible outdoors art trail inspired by the Hauraki Gulf’s resident whale, the Bryde’s.

Celebrating Aotearoa New Zealand, art, and marine conservation, Whale Tales is running over the next 12 weeks in Auckland. There are 80 Tail sculptures designed by 80 artists, which will be auctioned later in the year to raise funds for WWF-New Zealand and their vital work for our oceans, and in particular the Hauraki Gulf and the Bryde’s whale.

Pronounced Broo-dus, Bryde’s whales are found in the coastal waters around the Tīkapa Moana / Te Moananui ā Toi / Hauraki Gulf. It is one of only three places in the world to have a resident, year-round, population. Unfortunately, they’re now nationally critical, with only 135 remaining.

“Bryde’s whales, our huge, beautiful local residents, are our forgotten whale. They are the largest species to call the Hauraki Gulf home but climate change, unsustainable fishing practises, plastic pollution, and other human activities are threatening their survival, and we are at risk of losing them forever from our waters. These whales are an indicator of ocean health, if our whale populations are healthy and thriving, it is a sign our ocean is also healthy and thriving,” says WWF-New Zealand’s CEO Livia Esterhazy.

With the spotlight on Bryde’s whales, everyone who participates in the Whale Tales journey and learns about these magnificent creatures will be supporting our mahi to save them and help restore the magically diverse Hauraki Gulf.

“We are so incredibly proud and honoured to work with Vector, Auckland Council, Auckland Unlimited, and Waka Kotahi to bring the tale of the Bryde’s whale to life across the Auckland Harbour Bridge. As the heart of the Gulf, it is fantastic to see it become part of the heart of the city. If ever a species deserved to have its name in lights, it’s this one. We are so excited for everyone to see this project come to life,” continues Esterhazy. 

“Vector Lights is once again lighting up the Waitematā Harbour with clean energy technology to celebrate Te Mauri o Waitematā and all of the species that call it home. The story we present symbolically illustrates the waka that travelled into the harbour, the mana whenua of Tāmaki Makaurau, the multicultural connections of our city, and the Bryde’s whale. We are thrilled to be a part of WWF-New Zealand’s Whale Tales,” says Matt Eastwood, Vector’s Group Manager of Marketing

Ataahua Papa, the artist behind the Vector Lights for Whale Tales show, and Lizzie Thomas, the artist who designed the Tail sponsored by Vector Lights, join other incredible artists from around Aotearoa, including Otis Frizzell, Gregory O’Brien, Cora Allan Wickliffe, Wētā Workshop and Jeff Thomson in bringing Whale Tales to life. 

Details

From 21-26 January there will be seven shows a night running every 30 minutes from 9pm until midnight. 

Starting 27 April – 3 May 2022, there will be 12 shows per night every 30 minutes from 6.30pm until midnight.

To watch the shows with audio, listen here. An audio link will appear when the show is about to start. 

The best spots to catch the Vector Lights show are:

• Little Shoal Bay, Northcote
• Auckland waterfront
• Bayswater Marina
• Mt Victoria, Devonport
• Harbour View Beach Reserve, Te Atatū Peninsula
• Queens Parade, Devonport
• Sentinel Beach, Herne Bay
• Bastion Point
• Mt Eden

For more information about Whale Tales, download the Whale Tales 2022 app. There you will find the trail map, sponsor deals, activities, and a whole lot more. Available via the App Store or Google Play. 

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New bilingual signs in a park bearing a name provided by mana whenua are just one of the ways Manurewa Local Board is showing pride in the area’s strong Māori identity and championing te reo Māori.

Earlier this year, the local board adopted names and narratives provided by mana whenua for 57 local parks in its area as part of the council’s cultural identity programme, Te Kete Rukuruku.  

Now Te Ākitai Waiohua and the board have marked the installation at what will now be known as Te Pua / Keith Park in Weymouth, of a new entrance sign and an interpretative sign that tells the story in English and te reo Māori of the name provided by the iwi for the park.

The board selected the park to feature a full suite of bilingual signs.

The park also has new entrance signs bearing its dual name and an interpretative sign that tells the story in both te reo Māori and English of the name, Te Pua, provided by Te Ākitai Waiohua.

Chair Joseph Allan says the board is honoured to be a part of returning Te Pua to Waimāhia.

“Manurewa people are proud of the area’s Māori identity, so to be a part of a project that showcases stories and names provided by mana whenua is exciting.

“So much has been taken and lost from this place, so it’s wonderful to see some of those things being returned.

“Our councillors are here to witness it, and we particularly acknowledge Angela Dalton as a former board chair for her role in developing key relationships when this process started.”

Mr Allan says the project is about more than just signs.  

“It’s a way we can start to build a community, where Māori heritage and storytelling are woven through local life and where te reo is seen, spoken and heard.”

The suite of bilingual signs includes:

• entrance sign featuring the dual name Te Pua / Keith Park
• interpretive sign featuring the name and narrative in te reo Māori and English, and QR code to scan for the correct pronunciation
• wayfinding information in English and Māori on the park’s facilities
• regulatory signs such as bylaws or alcohol bans in English and te reo.

Te Pua / Keith Park is the only one in the area to have a full suite of signs. Other sites to be dual named will be updated as signs are scheduled for replacement.

List of names and narratives adopted by the local board [PDF]

Name feels like welcoming whānau home

At this week’s unveiling of the sign, Te Ākitai Waiohua’s David-Wilson said seeing a name that celebrates a famous ancestor returned to the area was like welcoming whānau home.

Te Pua means the blossom or to bloom and comes from the original name of the southern point of Waimāhia, Te Rangi-o-te-pua-karaka – the day of the karaka blossom.

The story comes from Te Waiohua chieftainess Te Pua o te karaka, who was born under a karaka tree after her mother, who was collecting seafood in the area, rested under the tree when she felt childbirth coming on. Soon enough her daughter was born under that tree, forever linking her to that whenua.

Walking the talk

Manurewa Local Board has led the way in showcasing Māori identity, becoming the first local board to change its office signage to be in te reo Māori, supporting community-led events such as the area’s annual bilingual hikoi and Matariki, and adopting outcomes in its local board plan specific to Māori cultural identity, heritage, prosperity and partnership with mana whenua and mataawaka. 

Te reo is seen, heard, learnt, and spoken 

Te Kete Rukuruku programme manager Anahera Higgins says putting te reo at the heart of the programme means Māori is seen, heard, learnt, and spoken as part of everyday life.

“Bilingual signs are a visible example, but the programme is more than that. It’s about preserving iwi narratives, developing our unique Māori identity and safeguarding our treasured heritage.

“It’s been a massive task for mana whenua, and their guidance has been critical. It’s also exciting to see Manurewa become the fourth board to adopt names.”

The number of Māori or bilingual signs in parks, facilities and local board offices is just one of the measures outlined in Kia Ora Tāmaki Makaurau – the council group’s Māori Outcomes framework approved in 2020.  

It brings together Māori aspirations, the council group’s contribution towards achieving those aspirations, and performance measurement of the council’s mahi.

About Te Kete Rukuruku

Iwi-led, council and its boards launched the project in 2017 to collect and share stories unique to Māori in Tāmaki Makaurau.

The naming part of the project returns te reo Māori to the whenua (land), in some cases through the restoration of  iwi and hapū names that may predate European settlement. 

In other cases  by the adoption of contemporary Māori names that may connect to a story, or activity that historically took place in that area.”

Short mana whenua narratives explaining the names provide meaning and connection to the place.

In December 2020 Whau Local Board unveiled bilingual signs in Tahurangi /Crum Park, and in May, Ōtāra-Papatoetoe installed bilingual signs in Waenganui / Allenby Park, and now Māngere-Ōtāhuhu and Manurewa have adopted their first names. 

Other boards in the project:

• Albert-Eden
• Devonport-Takapuna
• Franklin
• Henderson-Massey
• Hibiscus and Bays
• Kaipātiki
• Māngere-Ōtāhuhu
• Maungakiekie-Tāmaki
• Ōtara-Papatoetoe
• Papakura
• Puketāpapa
• Waitākere Ranges
• Waitematā.
• Whau

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Āwhitu Landcare is a community-led organisation that has been quietly working to restore and protect the natural environment of the Āwhitu Peninsula for over 30 years.  

Covering over 22,000 hectares of landscape the community-led group, supported by Franklin Local Board funding, is focused on caring for and planting native trees, pest eradication, and bringing back native wildlife to the area.  

Planting native trees  

With support from Te Korowai o Papātuanuku, a dedicated project team focused on native planting, and the Ministry for Primary Industries Billion Trees programme, Awhitu Landcare has grown and provided over 300,000 free native plants to local restoration sites between 2020 and 2024.  

In 2023 alone, the group supplied 105,000 native plants to 37 sites across the peninsula. Volunteers and landowners put in 2,900 hours of work to prepare the land, plant trees, and look after the growing plants.  

Franklin Local Board member Gary Holmes is thrilled with the progress and impact the community-led project is having, both environmentally and socially. 

“Continued investment into environmental initiatives like Āwhitu Landcare is important for the future of the area and its people.” 

The group also supports iwi-led projects. In 2023, they provided 16,000 native plants for three iwi restoration sites, working alongside local primary and secondary school students to plant them.  

“Projects like Āwhitu Landcare don’t just improve the environment – they help rangatahi connect with the land and gain hands-on conservation experience.” says Holmes.   

Predator free Āwhitu  

Along with planting trees, the group is on a mission to make Āwhitu predator free by removing pests that kill native species or damage wildlife.

Pests like possums, rats, and stoats kill native birds and eat young plants, while deer, pigs, and goats damage the land. 

The goal for the group is to reduce possum numbers to less than 5%, which would make a huge difference for native wildlife in the area.  

In 2024 alone, over 750 possums were caught and removed, helping native forests recover. 

Tackling kauri dieback 

Alongside planting and pest control, they are also tackling serious plant disease that threaten the regions native forests. Through partnerships with Kauri Rescue, they have helped connect landowners with experts and iwi kaimahi to treat kauri trees affected by dieback disease using phosphite treatment.  

The group is also working to protect rōhutu trees from myrtle rust, using fungicide treatments. To strengthen their commitment to biosecurity, they are working towards Plant Pass certification to ensure the highest standards in their native plant nursery.  

The future of Āwhitu 

The mahi continues this year and will see the group plant more trees, control more pests, and protect more native wildlife with the ongoing support of local volunteers, community partners and Franklin Local Board. 

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Fire and Emergency New Zealand is moving Auckland City, Waitematā and Counties-Manukau Districts back to an open fire season from 8am on Wednesday 23 April, until further notice.

An open fire season means people planning to light fires outdoors no longer need to apply to Fire and Emergency for authorised permits.

The exceptions are the Hauraki Gulf Islands – populated islands will move to a restricted fire season, with permits needed from Fire and Emergency before lighting outdoor fires, and Department of Conservation islands remain in a prohibited fire season, with all outdoor fires banned.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s Te Hiku Region Manager Ron Devlin says a steady amount of rain across the Auckland region in the last few days and continued cooler forecasts have triggered the fire season changes.

“The damper autumn conditions means there is now less of a fire risk throughout Tāmaki Makaurau,” he says.

“However, we do still ask people to take care when lighting any fires, and to check the requirements for your location on checkitsalright.nz.

“Make sure your fires are fully extinguished and keep checking for reignition in the following days and weeks.”

Northland District changed to an open fire season last Friday. 

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Mana Whenua, government, scientists, community groups and all who care about Te Manukanuka o Hoturoa, the Manukau Harbour, are invited to join in a full day conference on Saturday 31 May 2025.

The Symposium is a day where the Manukau Harbour, with its immense value, the challenges it faces, and the extraordinary passion for restoring its wellbeing, is the central focus, says Jon Turner, Chair of the Manukau Harbour Forum.

The forum is a joint committee formed by the nine local boards that surround the harbour, that advocates for better resourcing and a focus on this taonga.

“This is the second biggest harbour in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our harbour is beautiful and has environmental, cultural, economic and recreational value and it deserves more attention”, says Turner.

He says the Symposium will focus on the harbour’s future, and on thinking that can contribute to its improved well-being in the future.

“We aim to tell the full story, across generations and disciplines of thinking.”

Awards

With MC Mandy Kupenga, the Symposium will also announce recipients of the ‘Ngaa Tohu o te Manukau – Celebrating Harbour Champions’ Awards, which recognise individuals, stakeholders, organisations or community groups for their work to protect and restore the mauri of the harbour.

You can nominate someone for an award here until 14 May.

One week before the Symposium the Manukau Harbour Forum will also host a clean-up and restoration event, the Love Your Harbour Day, at Island Road, Māngere. This event is held with the support of Te Motu a Hiaroa Charitable Trust, Auckland Council and SeaCleaners, and targets one of the worst sites for illegal dumping in the region.

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The discovery of a rare mainland population of the Raukawa gecko (Woodworthia maculata) in the southern part of the Auckland region has sent ripples of excitement through the conservation community.

These omnivores play a vital role in pollination and seed dispersal as they consume nectar and fruit, and a significant find of the gecko could suggest a potentially thriving population in an area where they were thought to be extinct.

Chair of the Planning and Policy Committee Councillor Richard Hills says ecological work is invaluable.

“The data gained in these surveys helps us keep track of our reptile populations and allows us to work to manage threats and restore environments so they can survive. The report of a Raukawa gecko is an exciting development.

“Knowing which species are living in our neighbourhoods supports local conservation efforts through native plantings and predator control.

“Finding a New Zealand forest gecko in my own backyard on the North Shore this year highlights the amazing work done by volunteers and council in our communities, and is a reminder that we need to do more to protect all our native species”

The project, a collaboration between Auckland Council’s Regional Parks and Environmental Services teams, aims to determine the gecko’s population size, distribution, and overall status in the area. This will start with an ecological survey to confirm the finding.

Auckland Council’s Senior Ecologist Melinda Rixon says it is an incredible discovery.

“While Raukawa geckos are widespread on pest-free islands, mainland populations are exceedingly rare due to predation and habitat destruction.

“Finding them here gives us a rare opportunity to learn more about their resilience and consider what conservation efforts might be necessary to protect them.”

The recent survey carried out follows an initial sighting in 2023 by ecologist Miranda Bennett, who first spotted the gecko while undertaking weed control work in the area. This prompted further investigation into whether this was a lone survivor or part of a larger, hidden population.

“This is why we do what we do,” says Miranda Bennett, who is now Programme Manager for work funded by the Natural Environment Targeted Rate.

“The chance to rediscover a species in a place where we didn’t think it existed anymore is exciting. It also highlights the value of protecting and restoring these unique ecosystems,” adds Miranda.

The site being surveyed is also home to several other threatened reptile species, including the at-risk shore skink (Oligosoma smithi), as well as ornate skinks and copper skinks. The survey is equally focused on gathering information on these species to inform future conservation and management strategies.

As the survey draws to a close, just two geckos have been sighted and tagged.

“It’s a little disappointing; we were hoping to find more. A couple of lonely geckos doesn’t bode well for a mainland population,” says Miranda.

Conservation challenges and survey methods

While the Raukawa gecko has a national status of ‘Not Threatened,’ it is classified as ‘At Risk – Regionally Recovering’ within Auckland due to its absence from most mainland sites.

If there is a population in the area, its existence will challenge our understanding of the species’ mainland distribution and raises questions about its long-term survival prospects; the main threats to geckos include predation from invasive mammals and habitat degradation.

To investigate the population, the research team set up multiple survey divides using Artificial Cover Objects (ACOs) to attract and monitor geckos.

Additionally, tracking tunnels, typically used for pest monitoring, were employed to detect gecko footprints, which are easily distinguished from skink footprints.

The team conducted five separate checks over the two-week period of the survey to collect data on the population.

The unique world of the Raukawa gecko

Raukawa geckos are nocturnal but sometimes cryptically bask in sunlight during the day in plain sight, near their retreats.

Unlike their tropical counterparts, which may only live a couple of years, geckos in New Zealand can survive for up to 60 years.

This long lifespan, however, comes with slow reproduction rates – geckos take years to mature and give birth to live young rather than laying eggs. In colder conditions, they can even delay giving birth until temperatures are more favourable.

Another fascinating adaptation of these geckos is their remarkable sticky feet, which allow them to scale vertical surfaces and even walk upside down.

Their ability to drop their tails, known as caudal autonomy, is another survival tactic. If a predator attacks, the gecko can detach its tail, which wriggles distractingly while the gecko makes a swift escape. Although the tail regrows, it never quite matches the original—it is shorter, often differently coloured, and structurally distinct.

Protecting a precious population

The presence of the Raukawa gecko and the shore skink highlights the biodiversity value of this undisclosed southern Auckland Council regional park, which is already recognised as a Biodiversity Focus Area (BFA) due to its rare coastal ecosystem.

The park provides critical habitat for at-risk species, including the shore skink and the threatened plant Senecio scaberulus (fireweed). Conservation efforts at the site focus on habitat restoration and predator management to ensure these species thrive in the coming decades.

“Finding a mainland population of Raukawa geckos would be a game-changer for our conservation efforts,” says Melinda.

“The discovery would underscore the importance of continued monitoring and protection of our natural spaces. Who knows what else we might find?”

For now, the survey team is keeping the exact location under wraps to protect the geckos from poaching or disturbance.

The public is encouraged to support conservation efforts by respecting protected areas and reporting any native lizard sightings to local conservation groups.

Native Raukawa gecko

The unique world of the Raukawa gecko

Raukawa geckos are nocturnal but sometimes cryptically bask in sunlight during the day in plain sight, near their retreats.

Unlike their tropical counterparts, which may only live a couple of years, geckos in New Zealand can survive for up to 60 years.

This long lifespan, however, comes with slow reproduction rates – geckos take years to mature and give birth to live young rather than laying eggs. In colder conditions, they can even delay giving birth until temperatures are more favourable.

Another fascinating adaptation of these geckos is their remarkable sticky feet, which allow them to scale vertical surfaces and even walk upside down.

Their ability to drop their tails, known as caudal autonomy, is another survival tactic. If a predator attacks, the gecko can detach its tail, which wriggles distractingly while the gecko makes a swift escape. Although the tail regrows, it never quite matches the original—it is shorter, often differently coloured, and structurally distinct.

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Protecting a precious population

The presence of the Raukawa gecko and the shore skink highlights the biodiversity value of this undisclosed southern Auckland Council regional park, which is already recognised as a Biodiversity Focus Area (BFA) due to its rare coastal ecosystem.

The park provides critical habitat for at-risk species, including the shore skink and the threatened plant Senecio scaberulus (fireweed). Conservation efforts at the site focus on habitat restoration and predator management to ensure these species thrive in the coming decades.

“Finding a mainland population of Raukawa geckos would be a game-changer for our conservation efforts,” says Melinda.

“The discovery would underscore the importance of continued monitoring and protection of our natural spaces. Who knows what else we might find?”

For now, the survey team is keeping the exact location under wraps to protect the geckos from poaching or disturbance.

The public is encouraged to support conservation efforts by respecting protected areas and reporting any native lizard sightings to local conservation grou

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Get an idea of the impact of your lifestyle on our planet and see how your everyday actions can make a difference.

Take 5 minutes to get a snapshot of your footprint or stay longer to choose new actions, challenge friends, track and share your progress to become Future Fit.

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Today marks a major milestone in Auckland’s flood recovery programme, with the official groundbreaking of the first flood resilience (blue-green) projects under Auckland Council’s Making Space for Water programme.

The two Māngere projects, including replacing a busy bridge and lifting New Zealand’s largest sewerage pipe, will significantly reduce flood risk for hundreds of homes in neighbourhoods surrounding the Te Ararata Stream and Harania Creek. Some of these homes have a serious risk to life from flooding.

The projects are the first under the council’s 10-year Making Space for Water programme and were the first to be funded as part of a $2-billion co-funding agreement with local and central government following the severe weather events in early 2023.

The area was blessed at dawn by mana whenua representatives from Te Ākitai Waiohua and supported by Ngāti Tamaoho and Te Ahiwaru, with Mayor Wayne Brown officially breaking ground, alongside local Member of Parliament Lemauga Lydia Sosene, Ward Councillors and members of the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board.

Mayor Wayne Brown and local iwi at sod turning ceremony in Mangere.

“Māngere was one of the hardest hit communities when Tāmaki Makaurau experienced its worst rainfall on record in 2023, and the community has shown incredible resilience during some difficult times,” says Mayor Brown. 

“It’s fitting that the first blue-green projects delivered under the council’s Making Space for Water programme are right here in Māngere.

“Fixing Auckland’s infrastructure and making the most of our environment were among my key policies and why I supported this programme, and the commitment of budget to get projects like these done quickly, to ensure a positive outcome for the local community.”

Mana whenua acknowledged the importance of restoring the mauri (life force) of local waterways, ensuring they can continue to sustain and support both people and the environment.

Manukau ward councillors Alf Filipaina and Lotu Fuli celebrated this milestones and acknowledged the importance of the council working with central government with strong community support to accelerate the progress of these projects, including the Order in Council.

“Community backing for an Order in Council was absolutely crucial in getting these projects approved and shovel-ready in record time. I also want to acknowledge the role that council staff, especially the Healthy Waters and Recovery Office teams, played in getting us to this point and all their hard work and dedication. Our communities were one of the hardest hit during the severe weather in 2023 and these projects will increase flood resilience for hundreds of properties – it’s certainly something to celebrate,” says Cr Filipaina. 

“This is about more than just managing the flow of water – these projects are about building healthier and more resilient communities for people to live. This work is about reducing an intolerable risk to life and supporting our Māngere communities through some challenging conversations. It was great to acknowledge this milestone for the wider regional programme with more flood resilience projects to come,” says Cr Fuli.

Working with the community

A Stakeholder Advisory Group, made up of key community organisations and locals, has been serving as a bridge between the council and the broader community, ensuring that local knowledge is contributed, and broader outcomes are considered.

“These projects are a great example of how Auckland Council and communities can collaborate to create outcomes that benefit everyone,” said Toni Helleur, CEO of I Am Māngere.

“In addition to the flood resilience outcomes we’re also delivering social outcomes for South Auckland. Heb, the contractor for the Te Ararata project have employed seven people into full-time employment through council’s Nga Puna Pukenga Skills for Industry programme.

Project details 

Work in both catchment areas will address key blockage points so that in extreme storms rainwater can flow more easily out into the Manukau Harbour.

In Te Ararata, the Walmsley Road bridge will be upgraded to increase water flow beneath it and a debris trap will be installed to reduce potential blockages upstream. A permanent maintenance platform and accessway to the Mahunga Drive culverts will also be built to enable quicker and easier access for maintenance crews.  

In Harania, the embankment between Blake and Bicknell roads will be removed and replaced with a pedestrian bridge and a pipe bridge for the Eastern Interceptor, which carries roughly 70 per cent of Auckland’s wastewater from Okahu Bay to Māngere Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Artistic impression of flood resilience works in Māngere

These improvements will enable the waterways around Blake Road Reserve to flow more freely and lessen the likelihood of flooding in the future. Construction on the projects will start later this month, with completion expected in mid-2026.

Planning and prioritisation for future projects

Many communities were heavily impacted by the severe weather events of early 2023. Further areas across Tāmaki Makaurau continue to be assessed and prioritised for future blue-green works.

You can find out more information about these projects on the council’s website or you can reach out to the team at bluegreen@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

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Howick Local Board members recently embarked on an inspiring visit to four local Enviroschools, where they saw firsthand the innovative environmental initiatives being embraced by students and staff.

Enviroschools is a programme that supports children and young people to plan, design and implement sustainability actions.

Participating schools range from early childhood through to secondary school and beyond.

Enviroschools are a key part of the board’s Tō Tātou Taiao/Our Environmental in its local board plan. This works alongside other Pest Free Howick initiatives including the annual Pest Free competition, native tree projects for birds, iwi-led restoration of Te Naupata/Musick Point, and Garden To Table.

Enviroschool tour

Sustainable Schools Advisor Cate Jessep shares that the purpose of these visits is to highlight the significant outcomes of Howick Local Board’s long-term support for Enviroschools in the area. These visits allow the Board to see firsthand the impact of their investment in helping teachers and principals engage students in real, sustainable learning.

On Friday 28 March 28, Howick Local Board members, along with new Enviroschools principals and key teachers, visited four local Howick Enviroschools, including Pakuranga Baptist Enviro-Kindergarten, Our Lady Star of the Sea in Howick, Mission Heights Junior College, and Mission Heights Primary in Flatbush.

Howick Local Board chair Damian Light says, “Empowering our community to take environmental action is a key objective of our Local Board Plan. And our tamariki and rangatahi are critical to the success of this. It’s been wonderful to see firsthand the amazing work that is happening in our local kura.”

Everyday activities that make an Enviroschool thrive

Pakuranga Baptist Enviro-Kindergarten is buzzing with exciting activities. From Outdoor Explorers walks to a bee water station, their garden is thriving. The kids engage in 3D mapping, recently explored Ohuiārangi Pigeon Mountain, and participate in local plantings. What’s more, they have regular conversations about caring for Papatūānuku, with composting being a key topic. It’s a fantastic, hands-on approach to environmental learning.

“Enviroschools in Howick have made a significant impact, with over 1,000 students in the Pest Free Howick program, 40 schools reducing waste by up to 74%, and initiatives like the Moth Plant competition, Garden to Table, and carbon footprint programs. Four new schools have joined this year, bringing the total to 33 out of 44 schools in Howick. These efforts are creating a generation of leaders in sustainability, with many students advancing to leadership roles in sustainable careers. This is what we aim to showcase through these visits,” Cate adds.

Ka mihi ki a Ranginui, ki a Papatūānuku, ka mihi ki te ngao o te wheiao I About Enviroschools

Enviroschools is a nationwide programme supported by Toimata Foundation and a large network of regional partners. Early childhood centres and schools commit to a long-term sustainability journey, where tamariki/students connect with and explore the environment, then plan, design and act in their local places in collaboration with their communities.

There are 1,629 enviroschools nationwide of which 343 are in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

Integrating Enviroschools into school and centre life offers many benefits, including:

1. Environmental: Promotes healthy spaces, biodiversity, and water quality

2. Economic: Fosters youth entrepreneurship and reduces waste

3. Educational: Turns schools into learning hubs for sustainability

4. Social and Cultural: Reduces litter and vandalism, encouraging community involvement.

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Celebrated, octopus-styled artwork Te Wheke-a-Muturangi by acclaimed artist Lisa Reihana floats on Tāmaki Makaurau waters for the first time – through to 14 May.

Presented by Viaduct Harbour Holdings Ltd and Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert, with the support of Auckland Council and the city centre targeted rate, Te Wheke-a-Muturangi is set to deliver a major moment in Viaduct Harbour’s presentation of the Aotearoa Art Fair Sculpture Trail.

It kicks off an overflowing season of arts in the city centre. Read more below.

Deputy Mayor of Auckland Desley Simpson says it’s thrilling to see Te Wheke-a-Muturangi arrive in our waters.

“Lisa Reihana has consistently wowed global audiences with her stunning art, grounded in Māori and Pacific cultural knowledge. So we’re lucky to see this epic masterpiece in the Viaduct Harbour as we usher in a packed season of the arts in Auckland.

“Interactive art, comedy, opera, cabaret, street culture and Matariki celebrations – we have it all in the city centre this winter season,” she says. 

Te Wheke-a-Muturangi

This mesmerising installation invites audiences to reflect on ancient stories beneath the surface of the ocean, animated by light, movement and memory.

A revered artist whose work has been shown globally – from the Venice Biennale to major presentations in Australia and Singapore – Reihana’s Te Wheke-a-Muturangi anchors the art trail with powerful storytelling drawn from Māori cosmology.

Part of Reihana’s Kura Moana Series, originally commissioned for the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of Arts 2022, the majestic 15-metre-wide floating cephalopod draws from the powerful Māori pūrākau / story of the giant female octopus Te-Wheke-a-Muturangi, who is pursued across the Pacific and ultimately slain by the legendary Polynesian navigator, Kupe.

The artwork is hand-painted by Reihana in maze-like lines inspired by Reihana’s contemporary Māori weaving patterns, with vivid reds symbolising the blood spilled when the creature was defeated.

Visitors can scan an on-site QR code to see an augmented reality pūrākau (legend), where Te-Wheke-a Muturangi hovers above Waitematā Harbour and speaks about being a goddess while taking selfies. Scan the QR code on site or visit Viaduct.co.nz/ArtFair

Alongside Lisa Reihana’s installation, eight other large-scale works by leading contemporary artists from across Aotearoa will be on display for the Aotearoa Art Fair Sculpture Trail, placed throughout the Viaduct Harbour. 

For information on Aotearoa Art Fair and full event programme and maps visit ArtFair.co.nz

Packed arts season

Starting with the appearance of Te Wheke-a-Muturangi, an abundant season of arts and cultural experiences is coming to the city centre this autumn / winter, drawing crowds and adding vibrancy.

Annie Dundas, Director Destination at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited says, “Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s city centre free and paid arts events provide an amazing autumn and winter experience, no matter what the weather’s doing.

“The Aotearoa Art Fair from 1-4 May is sure to be a highlight of the season – it’s the biggest fair yet with 49 galleries from New Zealand and Australia showing work from emerging and established artists, plus a sculpture trail for everyone to enjoy.

“Auckland Live also has an exciting programme of more than 140 shows and performances scheduled across April, May and June. As the temperature cools down, our arts programme ramps up, so it’s the perfect time of year to experience this thriving side to our region.”

Supported by the Auckland Council group and presented at city centre venues, the next six months include:

Visit Discover Auckland for the full line-up, and to search events by date.

Investment

Auckland Council’s contribution of $10,000 towards the installation of artwork Te Wheke-a-Muturangi at Viaduct Harbour was funded from the city centre targeted rate.

Photo credit: all photos taken by Jay Farnworth, Auckland Council