The five partners of the Whaka-Ora Healthy Harbour plan have signed a new memorandum of understanding highlighting their ongoing commitment to improving the health of the Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour catchment.

The plan is a long-term vision for the area and was launched last year. The previous memorandum of understanding signed in 2016 discussed the specifics of the plan, while this new document will supersede that and focus on implementation to deliver the actions.

The partners are: Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke, Lyttelton Port Company, Environment Canterbury, Christchurch City Council, and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. The document was signed at the governance meeting this week.

Chair of the Whaka-Ora Healthy Harbour partnership Yvette Couch-Lewis of Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke said the new memorandum was another positive step forward.

“This document is about making a commitment to the community to ensure the long-term sustainability of Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour,” Couch-Lewis said.

“The harbour catchment area is important to so many people and we want the community to engage with us to help improve its ecological and cultural health.”

During the past 12 months a collection of key projects have begun or received support from Whaka-Ora Healthy Harbour, including:

• Ngāti Wheke-led ‘Head of the Harbour’ project, working with landowners to reduce sediment and contaminant inputs into streams and saltmarsh
• Environment Canterbury-led soil mapping of the Whakaraupō/Lyttelton Harbour catchment
• Ōtamahua/Quail Island Restoration Trust plant and animal pest control work
• Diamond Harbour, Governors Bay and Lyttelton Schools restoration and environmental education projects

Late last year Karen Banwell was appointed Whakaraupō programme manager.

A Community Advisory Group for the plan was established recently. The group will act as a mechanism for community engagement and provide advice on how the plan can support or initiate community-led projects.

A new website for the plan and to document the projects associated with it was launched this week: www.healthyharbour.org.nz