Source: Porirua City Council
More than 100,000 plants will go in the ground in Porirua this year as the city’s streamside planting programme to restore Te Awarua o Porirua Harbour shows no sign of slowing down.
The streamside planting programme, which launched in 2022, is a transformational project to create thriving habitats and improve the water quality of Porirua’s waterways and, ultimately, the harbour. Council is working in partnership with Ngāti Toa and collaborating with the regional council, Mountains to Sea, community groups, and supporting thousands of students across schools to take up the cause.
In 2026, there is $900,000 in funding – half from Ministry for the Environment and half from Porirua City Council – to restore habitat along our waterways, including putting 108,000 plants in the ground between May and October. This funding also ensures the continued maintenance and health of our previous years’ plantings to guarantee long-term project success.
Planting will take place in Horokiwi, Pāuatahanui, Taupō swamp, eastern Porirua and Rangituhi.
Council’s Manager Urban Ecology, Daniela Baggio, says working with the community to care for nature and carry out planting is extremely satisfying.
“It’s going to be a busy winter for our Parks team and we are always looking to build on the previous years’ engagement,” she says.
“Schools and communities are really committed and engaged in the programme and I’m certain we will get willing volunteers out there, often on wet days, getting their hands in the ground as we look to improve the health of the harbour, which is one of our key priorities as a Council.”
Porirua Mayor Anita Baker says planting around Porirua’s streams and waterways was a huge boost for the harbour.
“We know what planting is needed and we’re making a huge effort each winter to make this happen. Our ongoing commitment to catchment restoration is part of the Porirua Harbour Accord, which was signed just over a year ago, uniting key partners to restore the ecological, cultural and environmental integrity of this precious taonga for Porirua.”
Other key focus areas of the Accord include improving water quality, restoring biodiversity, integrating sustainable water management with urban development, and addressing climate change impacts. Signed on 6 February, 2025, it is an agreement between Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira, Porirua City Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Wellington City Council and Wellington Water Ltd and other partners passionate about the harbour’s future.
Planting days and opportunities for the public to participate will be advertised on Council’s website and social media as they’re confirmed closer to May.
Streamside planting stats from 2025:
170,200 plants in the ground
1377 volunteer hours at three community days in Cannons Creek, Papakōwhai and Bothamley Park
53 schools (1564 students) attend 10 planting days
32.9 hectares of riparian and erosion prone land planted
