Resources for Stream Neighbours
Across Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland), neighbours are banding together to take care of their local streams, wetlands and rivers.
Being part of a stream neighbourhood group is a great way to make friends, connect with nature, and make our green spaces better for generations to come. You can join guided walks, rubbish clean ups, weeding bees, planting days, bat-finding missions and more.
Healthier streams mean better water quality, safer homes for the native birds we love, and more resilient neighbourhoods in changeable weather.
Waterways are flowing ribbons across the land, and stream neighbourhood groups may come together to work on public parks and reserves, as well as backyard streams. Every little bit helps and has an impact, and your community will appreciate your work!
Handy resources
We’ve gathered some local resources together to help you get started. This is a webpage that will be continually updated. Do you see any gaps or have any questions? Email [email protected].
Getting started
- Flood viewer (ArcGIS map) from Auckland Council shows how water flows through your neighbourhood
- Find conservation groups (ArcGIS map) near you (tick “local initiative or group”)
- Check if you need land permission to get started
Making a team
- Best practice guidelines for volunteer management from Volunteering NZ
- Volunteer Management tips from Sport NZ
Promoting your group
- Webinar: 5 Strategies to Grow Your Community Group Through Effective Promotion (Bike Auckland)
Seeking advice
- Contact your local environment hub if you need someone to talk to
Planning events and actions
- Community event planning guide from Sport NZ
- Love Your Neighourhood funding is available in certain areas to cover costs
- Zero Waste Events (website) guide to minimising waste
Removing pests
- Auckland Council’s Pest Search has tips on identifying and dealing with pest plants and animals
- Weedbusters has a weed search, A-Z weed list, and high res weed images
- Seedling Field Guides (available for purchase) can help you tell invasive and native seedlings apart
- Weed bags (available for purchase) are handy for composting soft weeds onsite
Planting native plants
- Streamside planting guide (pdf) from Auckland Council
- Native To The West (pdf) is a guide for planting and restoring nature in the Waitākere area
Reporting problems
- Report dumping of rubbish and green waste on Auckland Council land
- Report pollution of waterways to Auckland Council
- Report sewage overflows to Watercare
- Report dumped trolleys to the supermarket they belong to. They’re legally obliged to pick them up within two hours.
Advocacy
- Start a petition-based campaign with community support from Greenpeace or Action Station
Government, local council and local board
- Communicating with Local Government – tips from Community Net Aotearoa
- Communicating with Central Government – tips from Community Net Aotearoa
- PDF – How to engage with politicians (notes from a CAN webinar via Bike Kaipaatiki’s Andy White)
- PDF – How to get people to say yes, Sales course 101 by Richard Barter (PATH, Roskill Bike Kitchen).
alt: Easy read version. - Video – How to get people to say yes, Sales Course 101
- Information on speaking at a local board meeting
Other helpful links
- Tiaki Tāmaki Makaurau has a list of resources for looking after waterways, wetlands and lakes
- Predator Free NZ has a group toolkit for starting or running a community conservation group
- Department of Conservation has training courses
- Wai Care can help you get started with water quality monitoring
- Te Haumanu Taiao is a guide for restoring the natural environment in the Auckland region
Ngā mihi
This webpage has been inspired by Bike Auckland’s Resources for Bike Burbs.