Finding ‘Big Fin’: freshwater restoration tales from Karaka and beyond

The Whangapouri creek is an unassuming awa running 15km from Pukekohe to the Pahurehure inlet on Auckland’s Manukau Harbour. 

The creek runs through some fairly intensive agricultural areas, presenting some obvious challenges for water health. But with help from committed locals and expert support from Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust, the future for this awa is looking bright.

Through funding from the Wai Connection project, Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust has engaged with local farmers, landowners, schools, and community groups to improve the health of the awa.

“We’ve been able to support īnanga spawning habitat restoration…planting, weeding, and pest reduction. We’ve also been able to connect a large number of local schools and community groups to their local awa,” says Catchment Coordinator Kate McKessar.

For landowners, the support has made a significant difference.

“We’ve been able to do a lot of planting and weeding through the Wai Connection programme,” says local Karaka landowner Kim Stychinsky. “We’ve also learned a lot about how to restore and maintain the īnanga spawning habitat on our property, and had the chance to invite schools and groups to come and get involved in the restoration work we’re doing.”

On April 7th 2025, Waiau Pa Scouts visited Kim’s family farm for a spotlighting and education evening. Kids learned about macroinvertebrates, īnanga, and the different species of tuna (eel) that call the awa home. 

Callan was one of more than 30 excited youngsters who got up close and personal with the creek and its critters. “We saw a huge eel, and we named it Big Fin,” he says. 

As well as the Scouts, Rosehill Intermediate, Pukehoke North, and Pukekohe Valley primary schools have experienced the creek close up. 

“The schools have undertaken our Whitebait Connection education programme, introducing them to important freshwater conservation principles, and have applied what they’ve learned to create their own restoration plans,” says Kate. 

For Kim and her family, Wai Connection funding has helped build on the environmental work they’ve done on their property over many years. More than that, it has also connected a large number of locals to the awa.

“It’s great to have other people experience the wetland, and the area we’ve regenerated,” she says. “Hopefully they’re more aware of what’s in this creek, and what they can do to look after it in the future.”