1. We are WSP
  2. What we do
  3. PROJECTS
  4. Te Puhinui Catchment Management Strategy

Through a close partnership with iwi, Council-controlled organisations and key stakeholders in Te Puhinui, WSP developed a 'mai i ngaa maunga ki ti moana' (whole of catchment) stormwater programme of work. Integrated with initiatives in Te Puhinui Regeneration Strategy, the programme gives effect to Te Mana o Te Wai - prioritises the health of water, land and the people of  Te Tonga o Tāmaki Makaurau (South Auckland).

Location

  • Auckland, New Zealand

Client

  • EKE Panuku Development Auckland, Auckland Council, Kainga Ora

Project Value

  • $250,000

Project Status

  • Complete

Growth as a catalyst for restoring the awa in Te Mānukanuka o Hoturoa (Manukau)

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s Manukau region is a socially and culturally diverse community with strong Māori and Pasifika heritage. Over the next 15 years, it is anticipated that the population of Manakau City Centre alone will increase from 6,000 to 20,000 – roughly 200%.  

WSP developed the Catchment Management Strategy to help Eke Panuku Development Auckland (Eke Panuku) and Auckland Council Healthy Waters department respond to the intense population growth over the next 25 years. Stakeholders agreed that the programme of stormwater work needed to prioritise the oranga (health) of Te Puhinui awa (stream), whenua (land), and tangata (people) to help restore Te Mana o Te Wai.

Te Puhinui awa (stream) stretches more than 12km and weaves through Te Maanukanuka o Hoturoa (South Auckland); starting at Totara Park into Manukau City Centre and flows out of the Manukau Harbour. The Manukau Framework Plan responds to the intense population growth, acknowledging the first key move is realising the potential of Te Puhinui awa.  

Eke Panuku and local Waiohua iwi recognised early the risk and opportunity with the wide range of organisations and objectives in and around Te Puhinui awa. The work needed to consider not just the awa, but also the oranga (health) of te taiao (environment), whenua (land), tāngata (people). WSP, as catchment management specialists, were asked to form part of an authentic partnership team with iwi and other organisations that prepared a cross-organisational work programme. 

Project challenges

Historic practices have led to significant damage to the mauri of the stream and the Manukau environment. Urban development and engineering of the stream has led to erosion, increased flood risk, reduction of habitat, and poor water quality. Auckland Council is determined to drive a change to stormwater management in Te Puhinui as part of the 'mai i ngaa maunga ki ti moana' (whole of catchment) approach.

Future development, the changing climate, and our need to reduce carbon emissions puts Manukau at further risk of degradation if an alternative approach is not adopted. With this project, there is significant opportunity to address the mistakes of the past and improve both the mauri of the stream and the relationship it has with the community. 

 An aspiration for Te Puhinui’s regeneration is for the catchment to play a specific and unique role in the ecological, social, cultural and economic regeneration of its larger living systems.

WSP provided expertise in stormwater catchment management planning

Auckland Council Healthy Waters approached WSP in 2020 to provide the expertise to support Te Puhinui Regeneration Strategy. This naturally evolved into development of Te Puhinui Catchment Management Strategy, funded by both Healthy Waters and Kāinga Ora, who recognised the importance of this work to planning growth in the catchment. WSP developed a stormwater management framework that links key issues to success outcomes. 

The integrated and collaborative solutions provided strategic alignment with regional policy, strategy and stakeholder objectives. These were both strategic capital works programme interventions, guidance for development, and broader operational or community initiatives such as:

  • guidance for development on water sensitive design
  • pond to wetland conversions
  • stream restoration
  • proprietary treatment devices
  • monitoring, education and compliance programmes

WSP delivered the project as an interactive ArcGIS story map to improve accessibility for the community and stakeholders. This enables the public to contribute directly to catchment planning, hold decision makers to account, and openly allow progress to be monitored over time. 

The Stormwater Catchment Strategy is seen as an exemplar integrated catchment management solution, linking regenerative practice, best practice green infrastructure, operational responses, and extensive collaboration to achieve multiple benefits. 

Decarbonisation and sustainability

What if we could breathe new life into New Zealand’s waterways?

Amidst uncertainty and data limitations, we pioneered a conceptual framework. It identifies relative carbon footprints, swiftly assessing numerous options. Empowering decision-makers, shaping a sustainable future.

We also responded to the Auckland Climate Plan by prioritising nature-based solutions and considering the carbon implications of the stormwater management approaches recommended.

When integrated with development, infrastructure master-planning, and community consultation, the area has the potential to be an international inspiration for water-sensitive design for brownfield regeneration, delivering sustainable outcomes for the community and environment.  



The Stormwater Catchment Strategy provides a focused look at stormwater, given its vital contribution to the health of te Puhinui awa, and provides the framework for how communities and organisations can make real change. I am really proud to have been part of setting this up, and am excited to see how the awa is restored.


Rautaki Māori  

What if by looking back, we could design a better future? 

 An aspiration for Puhinui is for the catchment to play a valued role in the cultural regeneration of Te Maanuka / the Manukau Harbour, and wider Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.   

These aspirations necessitate a holistic view of stormwater management. The project adopted approaches and outcomes that give effect to Te Mana o te Wai. Mātauranga Māori and Te Ao Māori principles require improved integration into stormwater planning and development to ensure our obligations under Essential Freshwaters and Te Mana/Mauri o te Wai are enabled.   

Our close partnership with Mana Whenua was established and maintained prior to and throughout the project. This resulted in a ‘ki uta ki tai’, broader whole-of-catchment approach, and a focus on the holistic ‘ora’ (health) of Te Puhinui.  

WSP acknowledges the guidance provided by Waiohua iwi, in establishing Te Whakaoranga o te Puhinui Charter and gifting the Te Whai Oranga (Whakapapa Centred Approach), key foundations for unlocking the potential of Te Puhinui Stormwater Catchment Strategy.

Collaboration

What if we could improve the health of our wai through collaboration with council, industry and the community?  

A driving force behind the success of this project was the collaboration between council, industry, iwi, Mana Whenua, and the community.  A steering group was established involving key council departments, Eke Panuku, local boards, and community members to provide leadership.   

Additionally, a cross-council collaboration group was formed to foster agreement on the overall work program, with a focus on stormwater solutions as the foundation for diverse environmental initiatives.  The stormwater catchment strategy integrated interconnected catchment-scale initiatives in partnership with the Regeneration Strategy team and the Manukau community, addressing stormwater challenges.  

To enhance engagement with stakeholders and decision-makers, WSP provided an accessible approach to engage all parties. We crafted an interactive digital storymap to facilitate active involvement from stakeholders and the public in catchment planning. This approach enables monitoring local waterways' changes over time effectively.   



WSP have been an exceptional project partner in ‘Te Whakaoranga o te Puhinui’ (the Puhinui Regeneration Strategy). The team were able to provide timely and well-articulated stormwater input across a complex programme of work, and seamlessly create a stormwater management plan that both supports and guides the broader strategy.


They have openly embraced and incorporated mātauranga Waiohua (local indigenous knowledge) which underpins this internationally award-winning project, whilst skilfully navigated financial and political challenges across the life of the project.