Northcote's greenway Te Ara Awataha

What’s special about this greenway is that it once had a stream, the Awataha, running through it. Since the 1950s the stream has been confined to an underground pipe.

The spring or ‘puna’ of the stream starts at one end of Northcote in Papa ki Awataha / Jessie Tonar Scout Reserve, however over time the waterway had been built over by roads, homes, a sports field and the Northcote town centre. In times of heavy rain, the residents in some of the streets beyond the town centre could kayak down the road as the flooding was so severe, and flooding in homes was a persistent problem.

Now, thanks to input from mana whenua and members of the community, as part of Te Ara Awataha greenway project the Awataha Stream will be brought to light for long distances of the greenway. This regenerative process, known as ‘daylighting’, will boost the mauri (life essence) of the stream, improving water quality and allowing it to become a habitat for birds, insects and tuna (eels) once more. It will also reconnect the community to this lost environmental taonga (treasure).

Sara Zwart, Principal Regenerative Design Lead, says, “It’s been an amazing collaborative journey to literally bring Te Ara Awataha to life in Northcote! We’ve daylighted, or brought to the surface, most of the Awataha Stream through the heart of Northcote to create a green, safe pathway and boosted the mauri (life essence) of the stream. We’ve improved the water quality and created a habitat for wildlife. It’s a delight to see kaka and eels in the area once more.”

“Also, in the recent flooding events Te Ara Awataha, together with Greenslade Reserve / Te Kaitaka - now a stormwater detention park, they proved their effectiveness. They worked exactly as they are meant to and minimised flooding, a problem that has plagued the neighbourhood in previous years.”

Sara says, “Te Ara Awataha was made only possible with the combined efforts of Eke Panuku with mana whenua, Kaipātiki Local Board, Kāinga Ora, Healthy Waters, Auckland Council, the business association, community groups, including Kaipātiki Community Facilities Trust and Kaipātiki Project, and the local schools.”

Placemaker Roxie Haines says, “What better way to celebrate the opening of Te Ara Awataha than working with the community to build a sense of ownership.” Key themes for the event are environment, play and movement. Cultural and community aspects will be woven throughout the day, as well as Para Kore - Zero Waste.

At the Water New Zealand Excellence Awards 2023, Te Ara Awataha won the Environmental Sustainability Project Award.