Explore your local awa with freshwater experts from our Wai Connection team at this City Nature Challenge spotlighting event at Percy Scenic Reserve, Lower Hutt. With your gumboots and a torch, head off on an evening hīkoi to your local waterway to ‘spotlight’ and observe freshwater species in their natural habitat. Learn about the health of our waterways, freshwater conservation efforts in your neighbourhood, and some of the ways that you could become a kaitiaki of your local awa.

Awa After Dark events take place in the early evening, they’re perfect for the whole whānau.

This event is free, but bookings are essential. These events are very popular, please let us know if you have booked and can no longer make it so we can reallocate your spot.

Outdoor event: This event is outdoors, please dress appropriately (gumboots and warm clothing recommended). If the weather is really bad, we'll let you know we’re cancelling via the email you've provided us.

Location: The streams we spotlight often don't have an 'address'. On the day before the event, we'll email you all the details you need to find our exact meeting location on the night.

What is spotlighting? Ever played spotlight with a fish? Heaps of our native freshwater critters are nocturnal. Scientists often visit freshwater areas at nighttime with a torch, it’s the best time to see exactly who’s living in our awa!

What is Wai Connection? Wai Connection is a national programme delivered by Mountains to Sea Wellington aimed at connecting local communities to their waterways to improve them. We support communities and mana whenua with the knowledge, tools and expertise to monitor and care for their local freshwater places.