Ko te wai te ora ngā mea katoa. Water is the life giver of all things. This whakatauki is a very simple truth, which we ignore at our peril.
The Ministry for the Environment’s 2020 freshwater report outlines the scale of the country’s pollution problem and makes many references to Māori ways of thinking, but what does it take to really understand an issue from another culture’s perspective?
I recently completed a short course which helped me understand some of the truths known to Māori, and the rich and diverse stories which illustrate them. Several Māori academics contributed – geologists, art historians, and others. The links are at https://www.newsroom.co.nz/ideasroom/where-water-and-culture-collides It took me 4-6 hours but you could spend much more time exploring all the resources.
I recommend enrolling today! It’s a great way to get through level 3 Covid measures.
Auckland Council Healthy Waters is working on an initiative to promote the installation and use of residential rainwater tanks across Auckland. This is in response to the current drought situation and to encourage Aucklanders to be more water resilient and empower us to be part of the water solution.
A cross-Council team is working to provide more information about the consent process to install a water tank and remove costs where possible. On July 1 2020 Council took the first step by removing resource consent fees for rainwater tank only applications for residential homes (in the vast majority of cases).
Below are several pieces of collateral and links to information that you may find useful.
Thanks to all STEPS members & community who helped us with plantings on the Roy Clements Treeway. Kath, Julie, Fleur, neighbours Talia and Charlie, Neil, Mac, Trevor, Freddie and Sel were just a few of those who helped out. The plants were provided by the Local Board, and Local Board members Margi and Christina were there on the day.
2020 planting Roy Clements Treeway2020 planting group Roy Clements Treeway
On Saturday 18th more plants were put i the ground by Freddie, Trevor, Sel, and Liz – with just a few left now for under planting.
