Henderson Creek: 2005-2010 Celebration

On 24 June 2010, nearly half of the currently active groups came together to celebrate the achievements of the first five years of Project Twin Streams Henderson Creek and to meet and learn from one another.

Flanshaw Primary Principal Cherie Taylor-Patel generously offered for the school to host the inaugural networking evening for all our participating community groups to come together to share their Project Twin Streams stories. It was an honour to be welcomed onto the school with a moving powhiri and waiata from the Kapa Haka group. Some inspiring tales were told as the connections and contributions all along the stream banks unfolded and the groups’ contributions acknowledged.

The collective is keen to continue meeting up and strengthening their bonds, which is a first step towards enabling strong community governance.

In typical Project Twin Stream collaborative style, the NZ Management Academy, who are also a PTS Henderson Creek group, provided their hospitality students to serve the evening’s refreshments to the guests.

Some of the many achievements highlighted over the past five years include:

  • 164,440 native plants along Henderson Creek
  • 96,703 planted by Community
  • At least 38 Community Groups involved
  • Over 5735 Volunteer Attendances
  • 10 plus Community Planting Days
  • Two Community Gardens
  • Four Big Clean Ups
  • Water Testing with Wai Care
  • Art & Book Projects
  • Much More…

The following groups attended the event:

  • Flanshaw Road School
  • Cranwell Park Early Learning Centre
  • Sunderland Primary
  • The Art of Living Foundation NZ
  • Chinese Conservation Education Trust
  • Waipareira Trust Home Care
  • West Auckland Historical Society
  • Community Waitakere Charitable Trust
  • NZ Management Academy


These achievements would not have been possible without the work of Gilbert Brakey and Wendy Claire, two of Project Twin Streams Community Coordinators. Gilbert was the first in the role, followed by Wendy who continued. In January 2010, Sara Lovitz joined our staff as Project Twin Streams Community Coordinator while Wendy concentrated her efforts on the Epping community gardens.