Andrew Mackintosh November 13th, 2017
Saturday 11th November’s working bee was on a pleasant morning, at Norgrove Ave close to Chamberlain Park. This is a relatively neglected part of the stream, this area has no walking track or simple access, but is a fairly broad riparian area with lots of potential.
We tackled an area of climbing asparagas which is present in the much of the area.
A big thanks to Volunteers Sean and family, Jeanette, and STEPS Members Sandra, Mac, Liz and Sel.
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Liz October 18th, 2017
Saturday 14 October was a sunny day and we had a good turnout for the Weona Walkway.
The location is on the harbour in Waiateao Motions Creek estuary looking directly across to Te Tokaroa Meola Reef – another ecological gem which Auckland Council and Waitemata Local Board should restore. Many birds live at this beautiful place. See Map of Weona-Westmere coastal walkway.
Vounteers Yoshi and Helen turned up to help Jeanette and Sandra, and STEPS Members Mac, Pat, Dennis, Liz and Sel all had an enjoyable morning. 
We tackled an area full of privet with some honeysuckle, ginger, montbretia and other problem plants. We also gathered some woolly nightshade fruit further north along the track. Jeanette meanwhile picked up 8-9 bags of rubbish further south towards the scout den on Meola road.
Thanks to all volunteers and to Sarah and Council for their support. Special thanks to Jeanette, Mac, Sel and Sarah for helping organise our day.
We trust that the vision shown by the Waitemata Local Board in restoring this harbour fringe will be reflected in the upcoming ecological restoration of Te Tokaroa where there is further potential for birds and ecological habitat which future generations of Aucklanders will appreciate. Nearby Waiorea Western Springs with 9.6 million cubic meters per year of available spring water is the largest aquifer under Auckland Council’s protection; it too is under consideration by Waitemata Local Board and Auckland Council for enhancement soon.
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Liz October 1st, 2017
Te Tatua-a-Riukiuta Aquifer and the Waititiko – Waiateao Creeks
Inspired by the commitment of the Puketapapa Local Board to Te Auanga Oakley Creek, we joined with the Weona walkway community group and approached Albert Eden Local Board regarding protection and enhancement of Meola and Motions Creeks. We proposed that the AELB annual plan include a vision for both creeks, for Council and Community groups to work towards. We have asked Puketapapa and Waitemata Boards also to contribute as key landmarks such as Te Tokaroa Meola Reef, Western Springs and Three Kings all play a major role in the Meola-Motions natural landscape.
Our catchments our the largest on the isthmus and have many different communities of interest. Both streams have poor water quality. Over centuries they have been cut up 
by public works including national roads and other infrastructure; stormwater and wastewater from whole suburbs disappears, surfacing several kilometres away in local parks like Kerr Taylor reserve. The map shows Motions and Meola catchments in yellow, and the underlying aquifer in pink.
We are entering a time of great change with a $1 billion central Interceptor and Chamberlain Park projects causing landscape changes. We feel the community needs a ‘big picture’, partly to provide a background for the community work between Watercare and Meola Forum on Meola catchment changes from Central Interceptor. We also felt it could boost recognition of the need for a (formal and informal) mountain to sea path way to connect communities for cyclists and walkers.
Here is our draft plan. Please read it and let us know what you would add or change. We welcome your input. Waititiko – Waiateao Vision
[Contributing Authors: Jeanette Budgett (Unitec Institute of Technology), Sandra Anderson (University of Auckland). With thanks for contributions from Sharon Eccleshall, Andrew Mackintosh, Nick Goldwater and others.]
We look forward to progressing this plan and vision for the community.
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