What is Wai Care?
A water quality monitoring, education and action programme. People are resourced and supported to learn about water quality, monitor the health of their local streams and take action to improve and restore them. You can be the champion of your local stream!
Who is involved?
Wai Care on the Shore has over twenty active groups across the city including community groups, individuals and schools. Check out the Wai Care website to find out who is caring for streams on the Shore.
Wai Care activities include:
- Monitoring the water quality of your local stream
- Sampling for macroinvertebrates (bugs) and fish
- Planting native species on the streamside
- Stream clean-ups (weeds and rubbish)
- Raising awareness about stream health and local water issues
- Drain painting in your local neighbourhood or school (see the Drainpainting Factsheets PDF 553KB for more information)
Wai Care groups receive:
- Assistance with setting up a monitoring programme
- Training in the use of the testing and safety equipment
- Guidance with the planning and implementation of projects to enhance the stream environment
- Opportunities to learn and network
For schools…
- Assistance with planning an integrated curriculum unit around the theme of water
- A fully-facilitated learning pathway about water in our city, "Where does the rain in your neighbourhood go?" is available and can be adapted to meet the school's needs. It is suitable for Year 5 upwards. See the Water-themed Learning Pathway (PDF 735KB) for a more detailed description.
- In-class activities to learn about water monitoring methods
- Field trips to streams
Who to contact:
For all enquiries including general questions about your local stream contact the Wai Care Facilitator via Actionline, phone (09) 486 8600.
