The Mahurangi River has been a symbolic feature in the lives of Warkworth locals and surrounding areas for generations. It is no secret that the life of this river has degraded, and many are working to restore this precious resource to its previous health.

The Mahurangi river and harbour have been choked by silt in recent years as development in the area has continued to grow.

A $5 million injection from the Ministry for the Environment will support the Mahurangi East Land Restoration Programme (MELR) to reduce sediment in the Mahurangi River catchment over the next five years.

Auckland Council and Ngāti Manuhiri Settlement Trust have signed a relationship agreement to design and deliver the project in partnership. The Mahurangi catchment comprises 206.6km of rivers and streams that discharge out into the Hauraki Gulf; sediment is ranked the third highest threat to marine habitats in New Zealand and around 21,000 tonnes is lost every year from the area.

Projects will be designed to work alongside local communities, including landowners, developers, and the farming sector to reduce sediment runoff from rural land, forestry areas, construction sites and runoff from unsealed roads. It will include the fencing of waterways, riparian plantings and wetland conservation and development.

Next weekend on Saturday, April 17th, One Mahurangi will host a community day to celebrate the beginning of this project, and to learn more about future plans and funding. The event will be held at Mahurangi West hall at 2:00 p.m. There will be food, drinks, and family activities provided.