Locals dive into a waterway exploration

In the heart of Wairarapa's eastern hill country, the Whareama River and its tributaries, like the Tīnui River, stretch for 40 km, connecting the community with nature. However, the serenity was disrupted last summer as cyclones submerged the township of Tīnui and left farms underwater, revealing the vulnerability of their beloved river.

This setback became a rallying cry for the community to unite for the betterment of the Whareama River. A dedicated group emerged with the mission of "improving and enhancing the Whareama river and all of its tributaries." To strengthen their connection with the awa, 40 people joined Mountains to Sea Wellington on Sunday, January 28, for a guided exploration of two local waterways.

The journey began at the old St Andrews Church site, where the group delved into the Mangapokia Stream. Whaea Di, our guide, highlighted intriguing features like a shallow mineral pan causing rust-coloured banks. Using a clarity tube, we examined water quality, which was a bit of a fan favourite. The fish traps unveiled a thriving ecosystem with short-fin eels, Īnanga, bullies, shrimp, and caddisflies.

"I have been in and out of the Whareama River for almost 20 years, and I have never known how much [wildlife] lives in here and how much there is to protect," shared one participant, capturing their newfound awareness.

The exploration continued to Lake Braemore, an artificially constructed lake on Braemore Farm. Initially created for irrigation, the lake now holds a broader community vision as a potential local camping and jet boating spot. Although it is artificially constructed, the lake is teeming with life. Our nets were bursting with 14 shortfin eels, much to the excitement of all the tamariki.

Check out Lake Braemore next time your in the Wairarapa!

Before sharing some kai, the group gathered for whakawhanaungatanga - a moment to share and reflect. Days like these are not only about connecting with te taiao but also about connecting the community with each other. The area boasts a diverse community of farmers, foresters, entrepreneurs, designers -  even gin distillers! What a treat it was for the Mountains to Sea Wellington team to meet the this committed Wairarapa community, keen to heal the area from the cyclone damage, and work together for the future of their awa. This mahi has been done as apart of the WaiConnection project and in connection with the Wairarapa Catchment Collective.