The Whangawehi Catchment Management Group will be honoured with a national award on Friday for its outstanding work in creating the Te Aratia Walkway at Mahia.
The group will receive the Outdoor Access Champion Award, which is presented annually by Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa, the Outdoor Access Commission.
This award recognises individuals and groups who have made significant and long-lasting contributions to public access to the outdoors.
The Whangawehi Catchment Management Group, made up of marae, landowners and agencies, had successfully collaborated to enhance and protect the Whangawehi catchment, a spokesperson said.
“The creation of Te Aratia Walkway is a testament to their shared vision and dedication.”
The Te Aratia Walkway, which spans the Mahia Peninsula, was specifically built to enable the community to enjoy the restored land. It was officially opened in December 2022.
The efforts of the group have led to the retirement of more than 150 hectares of land and the planting of more than 250,000 trees.
The hard work in fencing off and planting native trees along the Whangawehi stream and its tributaries has had a significant positive impact on the local environment.
The walkway is entirely situated on private land, providing visitors with a unique connection to the environment.
The award will be presented to the Whangawehi Catchment Management Group in a ceremony on Friday at Tuahuru Marae in Mahia.
