Over the past few months, people from the Tākaka Valley have come together to share their stories, reflecting on their connection to land and water, and exploring what a thriving future could look like for this unique catchment. With support from TET and Mountains to Sea Trust, a series of community-led events, including a valley-wide hikoi and a community survey have provided opportunities for shared conversations, laying the foundation for a Tākaka Catchment Collective.
From oral storytelling and on-site experiences to landowner’s insights, this inclusive process has acknowledged positive actions the community has taken to improve catchment health and insight into their aspirations for the future. At the heart of the project is a desire to understand what is already working — to create a locally-led plan for where to next.
The journey has been rich with learning. Local farmers shared how they are taking regenerative approaches that help restore land and water, while other landowners have transformed eroded streams and degraded wetlands. One former dairy shed is now a thriving native plant nursery. Manawhenua ki Mohua is applying Te Mana o te Wai to cultural health monitoring ki uta ki tai. Project Rameka is sequestering carbon and regenerating native forest, and groups like FAMA are pioneering collaborative, data-informed farm management.
From the upper forested valleys of Kahurangi National Park to the Motupipi Estuary, the hikoi revealed the unique ecological treasures of the area — unique landforms, rare plants and habitats and bird life extend from the mountains to the sea. Catchment health is being reimagined by focusing on the relationship between the wellbeing of water, land, and the people – who call this special place home.
With over 100 local voices contributing to the storytelling so far, a consistent message has emerged: a strong and heartfelt community desire for long-term catchment care; achieved through shared understanding and supported by collective action.
The next step? Collate these community conversations into a visual narrative — a map for connecting actions and effort – all guided by local knowledge, to enhance the valley for present and future generations.
