Community Weeding bee at Watea Reserve

Join us for a weeding bee as we team up with STEPS (St Lukes Environmental Protection Society) to support their restoration efforts of Waitītiko / Meola Creek!

We’ll be weeding at Watea Reserve, which sits on an overland flow path that heads into the awa (stream). This area is boggy and prone to flooding in heavy rain. Weeding this site will help the native plants we put in the ground last month.

Native plants will help slow flood waters down and stop excess sediment from washing into the waterway, and act like natural filters. They soak up nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus that wash off our streets during rain. Without plants to capture them, these nutrients can enter the awa and harm the native creatures that live there, as well as reduce overall water quality.

Flooding is a natural process and it isn’t going anywhere. It is also becoming more frequent with changes in climate. However, we can make space for water and work towards restoring the balance between people and water.

Recreating natural habitats that allow water to breathe or flow as it should do are an important step in this and in building our overall flood resilience.