New Migrants Put Down Roots In Waitaki

Published on 12 September 2023

Waitaki Multicultural’s ‘Welcoming Week’ saw new migrants to the Waitaki District help restore the Waitaki river in the early spring sunshine on Friday.

In partnership with Te waharoa ki ngā hapori (Welcoming Communities) and Stronger Waitaki, a group of new arrivals to the area were hosted by Whiria Te Waitaki at their ongoing native planting restoration at Te Puna a Maru (Borton’s Pond).

Whiria te Waitaki is restoring the culture, enhancing biodiversity and returning mahinga kai to Te Puna a Maru, known as Bortons Pond, and Korotuaheka, near the Waitaki River mouth.

They were shown around the native planting site by Whiria Te Waitaki ranger Patrick Tipa, given a brief history of the area and its value to Ngāi Tahu, before planting hebe, makomako and kōhūhū alongside Whiria Te Waitaki rangers.

Waitaki Multicultural’s members also planted a commemorative kōwhai elsewhere at the site, in memory of those who had passed in the previous year.