This programme aims to regenerate Manukau’s blue (water) and green (land) networks by working together to restore the Puhinui Stream.
Manukau is an area of relatively high climate risk and the Puhinui Stream is the last remaining natural asset in the area and an important link to the Manukau’s cultural and ecological heritage.
A pilot project to restore the stream and connect the green spaces and neighbourhoods along its banks has the potential to be a model for climate resilience and ecological, social, cultural and economic regeneration.
A healthy Puhinui Stream would address climate-related stormwater risks and connect ecosystems, neighbourhoods and whānau from Tōtara Park to the Manukau Harbour.
When the mauri of the stream is once again flourishing, it would provide climate resilience, biodiversity, economic opportunities and a sense of pride for local communities. Mana whenua are key partners in leading and realising this vision.
Building on the existing Puhinui Regeneration project led by Panuku Development Auckland, a group including Kāinga Ora, the University of Auckland, and the Auckland Council Group, are collaborating to ensure that lessons learnt in this pilot can develop other climate-ready solutions that can be introduced across Auckland’s growth and regeneration areas.
This project has been developed to:
- use growth as a lever to deliver improved climate resilience, with better environmental, social, cultural and economic outcomes
- understand and overcome the barriers to implementing blue-green networks in Auckland
- move away from a capital cost-based analysis for assessing development options, to measuring whole-of-life costs and benefits across environmental, social, economic, and Te Ao Māori value systems
- improve Aucklanders’ connection to and kaitiakitanga over their local natural environment.
