Greater Wellington

17/08/2026

At Queen Elizabeth Park on the Kāpiti Coast, Greater Wellington has been restoring natural wetland ecosystems. Weirs were created to block historic drainage channels. This allows drained land to return to its natural state, creating healthy wetland habitat for native plants and animals.

Just one winter season of rain has seen an incredible transformation there. Areas which used to be paddocks are now wetland habitat for birds like poaka/stilts and native fish like tuna/eels.

This is what our regional parks are for: restoring native habitats, increasing biodiversity, fighting climate change, and providing beautiful recreational spaces for the public to visit and enjoy.

13/08/2026

It's your last chance to have your say in the Wairarapa General Constituency by-election! 🗳️

Voting closes at 12 noon Friday 21 August 2026.

Six candidates are standing for Council in the Wairarapa General Constituency. Take a few minutes to learn more about them before you vote.

Today is the last day to vote by post, but after that you can still return your voting papers to an orange voting bin or your local district council office.

If you haven't received your papers in the mail, you can apply for a special vote.

Check the comments for more information on how and where to vote.

13/08/2026

When we invest in resilience, we're investing in people as well as places.
Anaru Te Rangiwhakaewa, Director of the Ahu Collective , shares how our partnership in Wairarapa, co funded with support from the Regional Infrastructure Fund Kānoa - Regional Economic Development & Investment Unit is delivering benefits beyond flood resilience. Alongside work to reduce flood risk, our partnership is creating opportunities for whānau through training, meaningful employment and reconnection with whenua.

07/08/2026

Fancy an adventure on the Remutaka Cycle Trail? Make it a weekend one!

A reminder that upgrades are underway in the Cross Creek area, with the trail generally open on weekends and closed on weekdays until mid-September while work continues.

The trail will be closed Monday 10 to Friday 14 August between Cross Creek Yards and Cross Creek Carpark. Crews are installing safety barriers and retaining walls, with machinery operating on a narrow section of the trail. Please respect closure signs to help keep everyone safe while this important work is completed.

The good news is its open this weekend, so get out there!

For the latest trail status updates, visit the Find Your Wild - Wellington Regional Trails (head to link in the comment below).

05/08/2026

04/08/2026

🌱 Got a great project to help your local environment thrive?

Whether you're a community group, school, or rōpū kaitiaki, Community Environment Funds could help support your mahi. For those who are restoring habitats, planting natives, protecting waterways, or completing pest control, we're backing community-led environmental projects across the region.

📣 Funding rounds now open (or opening soon):

✅ Te Awa Kairangi Hutt Valley: Open until 16 August 2026
✅ Te Awarua o Porirua: Open until 13 September 2026
✅ Wairarapa Moana: Open until 1 October 2026
✅ Kāpiti: coming soon - 1 September to 11 October 2026

Find out more and apply: https://www.gw.govt.nz/your-region/funding-and-awards/

31/07/2026

One million native trees are now taking root across Greater Wellington’s regional parks 🌱🌳

We’re restoring former grazing land into thriving native ecosystems – supporting wildlife, healthier waterways, lower emissions and greener places for our communities to enjoy 💚🐦💧

The millionth tree in Queen Elizabeth Park, Kāpiti is a part of enormous restoration efforts in partnership with Te Ātiawa ki Whakarongotai and Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira. In this park, planting has helped us restore wetlands, alongside removing drains, and installing fish ramps. Wetlands here are now thriving habitats for native fish and birds like the recently returned mātātā/fernbird.

A huge mihi to mana whenua, volunteers, community groups, nurseries and planting crews helping bring the ngahere back to life across the region 🙌🌿

30/07/2026

Wairarapa. Have you experienced flooding in the Lower Valley? We want to hear from you.

We're looking for photos, stories and observations to help build a clearer picture of flooding, environmental change and what people value about the Lower Valley.

Recent flooding across South Wairarapa has highlighted just how valuable local knowledge can be. Whether you have flood photos, memories of past events, or have noticed changes in the wider environment, we'd like to hear from you.

Your local knowledge will help inform Greater Wellington's review of the Lower Wairarapa Valley Development Scheme.

📅 Engagement open until 9 August 2026

Follow the link in the comment below to find out more and share what you know. If you'd prefer to share information another way, email [email protected].

29/07/2026

Seagrass... the coolest thing ever? 🤙

We reckon it might be.

Beneath the waters of Te Awarua-o-Porirua, meadows of rimurehia (seagrass) are quietly doing some heavy lifting. They provide habitat for marine life, help stabilise sediments, improve water quality, and give scientists valuable insight into the overall health of the harbour. 🌱🌊

For decades, Porirua Harbour has felt the effects of sediment runoff, pollution and habitat loss. That's why our team and mana whenua partners are keeping a close eye on seagrass meadows, using cutting-edge multispectral cameras mounted to drones to map and monitor them from above, and getting down on hands and knees in the mud looking for seagrass flowers.

By tracking changes over time, we can better understand what's happening beneath the surface and help guide future restoration efforts.

This monitoring contributes to the wider restoration efforts of Te Wai Ora o Parirua – Porirua Harbour Accord, which brings together mana whenua, councils, and community partners with a shared commitment to restoring the health and mauri of Te Awarua-o-Porirua.

Full story in the comments below 🔗

28/07/2026

Have your say in the Wairarapa General Constituency by-election 🗳️

Six candidates are standing for Council in the Wairarapa General Constituency by-election. Voting opened from 20 July, so now’s a good time to learn who’s standing and check the key voting dates.

Voting is via post, so keep any eye on your mailboxes for your voting documents. Check the link in the comments for information on casting special votes or returning you documents.