Our Streams - Our Dreams
EcoMatters Environment Trust in partnership with Glen Eden Primary School has worked on Project Twin Streams with the local community in Glen Eden since 2006. We are guided by a shared vision of healthy waters for our future and are committed to doing so in a way that reflects our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi (The Treaty of Waitangi). This vision of sustainability guides our restoration activities which cover over 15.6 km of the Waikumete, Bishop and Whakarina Streams.
Glen Eden streams flow through the most heavily urbanised region of the Project Twin Streams catchment. Our homes and roads are the largest contributors of pollution into our precious streams through the storm water systems. Educating our tamariki (children) and the wider community on the everyday steps they can take to minimise pollution and lighten their environmental footprint is a key part of our work on the ground through Community Planting Days and our one-on-one interactions with the public. We have some steps you can take today on our What Can I Do? section, or if you’re interested in learning more please contact our Community Coordinator.
Community development is a key part of our approach and during the past six years we have helped establish a number of neighbourhood groups who each provide incredible energy to restoring their adopted areas of the stream. Alongside these local residents we also have business, retail and industrial areas located on Glen Eden streams as well as a marae, five schools and three major parks. We are proud to partner with these local organisations and to provide new opportunities for volunteers working across our varied catchment. You can read about their contribution on the Glen Eden Hall of Fame. It is also our privilege and pleasure to be a part of the local community-led development project – Greater Glen Eden. The purpose of this group is to work together to achieve the best for people, families, groups and communities of Glen Eden.
The Waikumete Stream represents one of the key headwaters for the Henderson Creek. It flows from Titirangi through Glen Eden, linking the bush-clad lower slopes of the Waitakere Ranges to Henderson Creek, before reaching the Waitemata harbour. We believe it’s a special part of West Auckland, particularly the Wirihana and Kowhai Reserve Wetland. Wetlands are an ecosystem rarely found in the urban environment, so we are passionate about restoring this natural treasure in our rohe (area).
As well as our working to restore our unique environment, Project Twin Streams Glen Eden has also contributed to a number of projects that will have a lasting legacy for the local community.
The Nga Taonga o te Waikumete (Treasures of the Waikumete) community mural plays a significant role in beautifying the local township, we’ve also worked to create one of Auckland’s only Community Orchards at Lucinda Place and residents can enjoy a dedicated section of Project Twin Streams walk and cycleway that weaves alongside the Upper Waikumete Stream.
Finally, we would like to acknowledge our relationship with the mana whenua Te Kawerau a Maki, we really appreciate the opportunity to engage with local iwi, to support their role of kaitiaki of the rohe (area).
We believe the work that we and our local community undertake on Project Twin Streams form small steps on a journey of honouring the history and people of the land. We hope you can share in our vision for today and on into the future.
Pamela Gill
Community Coordinator
09 813 2063
021 308 257
pamela@ecomatters.org.nz
Alanah Mullin
PTS Glen Eden Stream Ranger
09 813 2285
021 308 268
alanah@ecomatters.org.nz
Tony Phillips
PTS Glen Eden Stream Ranger
09 813 2285
021 308813
tony@ecomatters.org.nz
Managed by EcoMatters Environment Trust in partnership with Glen Eden Primary School.
The Project Twin Streams Glen Eden team are based at Glen Eden Primary School, 3 Glenview Rd, Glen Eden.
