We’re celebrating Ngā Ringa o Te Auaunga Friends of Oakley Creek as they mark 20 years of caring for Auckland’s longest urban awa, which runs for over 12km through Puketāpapa, Albert-Eden and Whau Local Boards. Friends of Oakley Creek, led by expert coordinator Wendy John, bring volunteers together for activities including growing and planting native trees and shrubs, weeding, pest control, monitoring native fauna and water quality, and advocating for the health of the awa.
The group was formed in 2004 to protect and restore the ecological health of Te Auaunga and its environs. Planting started in 2005 and the community-led programme has expanded to involve thousands of volunteers every year.
For many years the group was involved with the Waterview Connection project. ‘We extend our greatest thanks to the group for their efforts in securing the best outcomes for the awa during that time, including advocating for a tunnel option, to relocating wildlife, realigning the flows and extensive mitigation planting,’ says Margi Watson.
City Vision elected members are proud of their continuing support for Friends of Oakley Creek. Albert-Eden-Puketāpapa candidate and Puketāpapa Local Board member Jon Turner says, ‘Wendy and the Friends of Oakley Creek team have been a force for nature in our rohe, and it has been an honour to be able to support them both financially–through local board funding–and physically, by putting plants in the ground and joining rubbish cleanups.’
Members and candidates look forward to attending the 20th anniversary celebration planting event on Sunday 13 July, 11am-2pm, at Harbutt Reserve, Mt Albert.
Margi Watson and Wendy John at a Friends of Oakley Creek planting day for the 10th anniversary in 2015