The voices of Cutwater Road

Something special happens when a community comes together. When individuals unite, they bring diverse skills, perspectives and resources that can drive remarkable achievements.

The Cutwater Road wetland is the perfect example of this – this one-of-a-kind project to improve water quality and biodiversity sees many communities from different backgrounds coming together for the good of the Waihī Estuary.

Hear from some of the partners involved and why it’s important to them.

Councillor Te Taru White

Councillor White has many reasons for becoming involved with Cutwater Road, both personally and professionally.

As a Bay of Plenty Regional Council Councillor, he knows all too well the challenges that our communities face balancing environmental impacts with productivity of the land.

As tangata whenua and independent chair for Te Wahapū o Waihī, he recognises the opportunity this project brings to reset and find this balance.

“For us to share our heritage, our life story, our culture with them and bring the mātauranga together with the science and get the best result that we can.

“That’s what matters to me.”

Professor Kura Paul-Burke

Kura Paul-Burke, PhD helped initiate the Cutwater Road wetland with her iwi Ngāti Whakahemo and is the Project Lead for Te Wahapū o Waihī. As a leader in Māori marine ecology and restoration, Kura brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the project.

But more than this, Kura has a strong connection to the land. Cutwater Road is much more than a wetland, it’s the beginning of a series of projects to revitalise the mauri of the Waihī estuary.

“It’s about providing a healthier estuary for everyone’s grandchildren. We are in it for the long term.”

“Wouldn’t it be amazing if there was a cloak of wetlands to filter through the impacts of human activity on the land to help revitalise our estuary.”

Fiona McTavish

Our partnership with Te Wahapū o Waihī, and relationship with local farmers, sits at the heart of this project. Without them, the Cutwater Road wetland wouldn’t be a reality.

“We’re acutely aware of how much the ratepayer could afford to develop the wetland. Bringing in freshwater improvement funding through our iwi partnership has enabled this to happen”

To achieve this unique project, 109 hectares of land was initially purchased on Cutwater Road, Pukehina, with 79 hectares on sold to a neighbouring farm. The remaining 30 hectares was funded 50% by Regional Council and 50% from Te Wahapū o Waihī through the Ministry for the Environment | Manatū mō te Taiao Freshwater Improvement Fund.

Cutwater Road is one of several ambitious projects that Regional Council and Te Wahapū o Waihī have partnered on in the Waihī Estuary catchment.